Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  Greatest Corvette made since my 1967 427 L-88 - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Keith - September 30 - 7:21 pm

  This animal of a corvette is an unbelievable screaming machine on a track or a pussycat around town in Eco mode on 4 cylinders. After one year and 9,000 miles, this Corvette still amazes me! The power, smoothness, and dependability is still is remarkable. Great value for the money.

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  lots of room in a user friendly package - 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Tom - September 30 - 3:17 pm

  Amazing volume inside, room for everything. Very comfortable ride, responsive especially considering the size of the vehicle. Good steering, brakes. Found transmission very effective, did not jump gears too much on twisting holy back road lanes. Engine has solid power, moves the vehicle with good authority.Handled bumps large and small with aplomb. Seats comfy, start stop feature presented no difficulties or balkiness. Wife commented that the car drove a lot smaller than its size.

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  09 Silverado crew cab 5.3L 4WD - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ZRMan - September 30 - 4:46 am

  So far I really like this truck. The ride is smooth and quiet. My snowmobile trailer, which pulled hard with my old Silverado, seems to pull much easier with the 6 speed in tow/haul mode. I dont have all the gear hunting and hard shifts. The bluetooth is a nice feature but I would think it would hurt their OnStar sales.

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  SS= Severely Sucks - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Loring Russell - September 30 - 2:00 am

  very unimpressive, nothing great about this vehicle.....gone are the days of the awesome Chevrolet Monte SS that were fun to own and drive. This vehicle is nothing more than a larger Cavilier. The Yugo has been reborn, it is now called a Monte Carlo. Purchase price 10 months ago 29K, current trade in value 15K. I guess their reputation has spread.

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  Nice ride, expensive to maintain - 1996 Chevrolet Suburban
  By sharpe_012001 - September 29 - 11:32 pm

  If you buy a 96 Suburban, you wont want anything else. However, it is extremely expensive. First, you might get 14 mpg. Have you ever used a gas card and had to use it twice at the same fillup (42 gal tank, Gas card stops at $75.) Next, prepare to spend a minimum of $2000/yr. I did the research here and bought it anyway. Have had to replace brakes, master cylinder, booster fuel pump, timing belt tensioner, alternator, and cant remember what else. A minimum of $400 whenever you take it in to the shop. However, cant seem to let it go.

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  Overall, Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By CONNIE - September 29 - 8:25 pm

  I have only had my vehicle for about 2 weeks, but I love it! I am a little disappointed that it does not have the tracking feature as the other Malibus have had. But I am looking forward to a long and happy time with this car.

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  Finally out of the minivan! - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By magster70 - September 29 - 7:10 pm

  Yes, we finally got rid of the van! With three kids and a dog we wanted somethig with 3rd row seating. Wanted a midsize SUV, compared to Explorer with 3rd seat which seemed like a good vehicle but no room behind 3rd seat. The TrailBlazer was cheaper and had tons more room in the back. Very comfortable driving and very roomy. This vehicle has a nice sounding stereo and is nice to look at. So far we are very pleased. I am also 64" and plenty of head and leg room, even in back.

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  V6 Truck, no way. - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mark - September 29 - 5:53 pm

  V6 and 4 speed auto are a very good match up and smooth performance. Towing up 6500 pounds is smooth and straight. This work truck platform is matched very well with the V6 and is a quick and responsive drive on the expressway. Granted it is not as quick as a V8, it does cruise easily at 75 to 80 on the E-way with no issues. Cruise control is an appreciated option on those 400 mile trips from Detroit to Illinois. This is an excellent basic truck, just what I prefer. Chrome package adds to the clean style and lines.

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  I got a sweet deal - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jr - September 29 - 12:33 pm

  Ok looked around at the 1500 Silverado all had 5.3 liters which are great. Then I looked online at a dealership a few miles away from my house and they had a 2010 1500 Silverado with a 6.2 liter engine at I think 403 hp rear view camera, and remote start, manual shift for towing up step grades, trailer brake control system, power back window, back up sensors and much more. I got this truck for the price of the regular 1500 lt price. Its made like an ltz but with a killer deal I love it baby.

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  Great Vehicle, Dependable - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Paul - September 29 - 1:29 am

  Some minor wear issues however cost per operating costs are fantastic.