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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  Chevrolet? - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Quatermain98526 - March 2 - 10:33 pm

  I was on my way home from work when I stopped by the dealer to check out some cars. The Monte Carlo SS with 50K on it for only 9 grand blew me away, I bought it inside an hour. I also test drove an 03 Mustang LX and a 99 Camaro Z28, this car almost compares to the Camaro, and its only a V6! with 100 HP less! The style of the car, and the SS trim is very very attractive. The car is spacious and comfortable inside, and the engine is very responsive, very touchy, I love it. Handling for a front wheel drive car is better than I predicted.

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  Tahoe-The Best! - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By gto1967 - March 2 - 7:34 pm

  Absolutely no problems!

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  A REAL review of the Chevy Silverado - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By afmatt212 - March 2 - 1:29 pm

  First off i have to address some of the reviews on the silverado. I keep reading reviews that say things like " transmission sucks" and "truck wont last over 60k!!" really people!?! I am a aircraft mechanic and have a long understanding of how engines and machines run. I own a 2008 chevy 1500 Z71 and have had ZERO issues with the vehicle, and you know why? Its simple.. buy a service manual and follow the maintance schedule!!! Change fluids and insert some grease here and there and i can almost promise you will have zero maintance failures! I love how people think you can just drive a truck into the ground and it will last. Now on to the details about my chevy!

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  My New SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Sandie - March 2 - 12:56 pm

  I just purchased this vehicle, so I am still getting used to it. So far, I love it. A lot of interior room. Comfortable to drive and ride in. I like sitting up high above most other vehicles in this class and I love that it has a great crash rating. Dual front and side curtain airbags, a must in this day and age.

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  Blazer - 1992 Chevrolet Blazer
  By jroberts - March 2 - 12:43 pm

  Its a good truck. It drives nice and is realiable.

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  Great Van - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By Androog - March 1 - 10:58 pm

  This van is a work horse. It is a great compromise on driveability, size, comfort, economy, and trailering ability. It drives like a car. The all wheel drive is incredible, the astro van sticks to an all ice road like a goat. This is our second, and we feel there simply is not another product on the market like it.

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  Blazer is great - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By rbailey2 - March 1 - 10:36 pm

  I love Chevy Blazers

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  Corvette - Best car Ive ever owned. - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Cy Stanton - March 1 - 4:57 pm

  My new C5 Corvette is the best car Ive ever owned. The only complaints are that the stock exhaust is too quiet for a any hi-performance sports car. Also, the stock 6-speed is very sloppy, as if it was designed for non=drivers who would not know the difference. GM could do a LOT better in these two areas. The interior also has some cheap bits. But these are minor complaints. Overall, the car is a gas and I smile really big every time I drive it! Cy Stanton Edgewood, NM

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  Only one Suburban, no competition! - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Torod - March 1 - 1:22 pm

  The General just keeps making them better. And listen up folks..besides being fast with loads of horse power....They get GOOD mileage! I stay above 16 in town and often go over 20 on trips. I know Edmonds likes to knock GM but I can attest they are full of "you know what"!!! Their bias shows when they say the Burbs are gas guzzlers and the Ford Expeditions arent... The Burbs get far better mileage but youd never now it from Edmunds anti GM minions!

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  Small , Fast, Fun, and American made. - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By BodasZ24 - March 1 - 12:21 am

  Bought this car new as a dealer leftover. Had 3500 miles was driven by service manager. Car is a blast to drive have had minor problems waterpump, cooling fan, basic stuff any home mechanic can fix. Overall has been a very dependable car.