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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  Felicitys Review - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Felicity - January 3 - 7:13 pm

  I love my car! I love the Monte Carlo! She is so sweet, and so much fun to drive. My Monte is so hot, even when she was stock she was so fly and and her curves all in the right places. She drives beautifully and oh so smooth. I sure hope she lasts me my lifetime.

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  Very Pleased 1998 Monte Carlo LS Owner - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Gil - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this car 8 months and have only put in $400 in repairs for an alternator and new battery. I am a Courier and this car gets a 150 mile metro driving workout six days a week. I have not had ANY of the problems others list here. At times I wish I had the bigger engine but the 3.1 is plenty of power. I get a combined mileage of 22-27 mpg city/highway. Ive owned everything from GTOs to little foreign cars and this is my overall favorite of all of them. I plan to trade it in on another Monte Carlo when the time comes. I am a 285 pound guy and very comfortable in this car.

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  so far, so good - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By broughers - January 3 - 10:00 am

  2002 Tahoe LT with 14,000 miles. Ive taken numerous long trips with large amts of cargo. So far, not a single problem. the vehicle has not had to return to the dealer for any reason. Initial build quality and delivery condition was above reproach. Comfort for driver and passengers is impressive. Hwy milage @ 75-80 mph is 17.5 mpg. Could use a little bigger fuel tank for those fishing trips out away from gas stations.

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  Love my HHR - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Steve - January 3 - 9:20 am

  Bought 07 HHR LT fall limited edition. Love it. The black chrome looks great. Very comfortable, great mileage. I am 6 and there is a lot of room. Handling is great, not too much body roll. It is a lot of fun. Rides like a much more expensive car.

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  2001 Monte Carlo LS 3.4 Sport Appearanc - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By John - January 1 - 5:30 pm

  Bought new. Love the looks(sport appearance package)and performance. Plenty of power. Minor problems only. I regularly maintain and keep it clean. 31 MPG during first year road trip but has diminished since to 28. Stills shines and no rust.

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  Would buy another - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Debra - January 1 - 2:06 am

  For the price this is a nice car. It get a lot of looks as I pass by. I was quite impressed with the power that is has for a 4 cyclinder vehicle. I am a thick woman and I can easily get in and out of the vehicle. The one program I have so far is at drive through windows, and trying to find a sun deflector for the inside (the folding kind) I have checked some of everywhwere, can you help me please, because the window is so small it is very hard. It steers very easy.

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  I Love My HHR!!! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Barb Vath - December 31 - 10:26 am

  I had 3 Blazers previous to this purchase and I was pleasantly suprised by this car. I researched this auto online and didnt even drive one before I called my dealer and ordered a black one. I picked it up and it has been love ever since. I just hope they continue making this model because I do want another one in a few years.

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  Awesome Tuck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Rewyas - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This truck is more than I could ever ask for. It does everything I want it to do. I would buy it again.

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  A great ride - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By rdstoll - December 30 - 6:33 pm

  For a vehicle this size it is relatively quick and a fun ride. Handling is good, and most importantly, the mileage thus-far is performing up to stated claims. You can tell it is a hybrid as you drive it at lower speeds since it feels like youre driving an electric golf cart. Sometimes, there is hesitation from a dead stop as it decides whether to use electric, gas, or a combo of the two to get the truck moving. A minor quibble. Interior controls are intuitive and easy to figure out. It lacks some bells and whistles that vehicles of this price tend to have, however, such a programmed seating, heated outside mirrors, and 6-disc CD player. All in all, I love it!

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  Maxx at 7,500 Miles - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By juswheels - December 29 - 3:30 pm

  We purchased our new 05 Maxx in June of this year. We havent been a GM customer for a number of years but after a lengthly test drive, we decided to come back to GM. So far weve traveled about 7,500 trouble free miles. Not one problem or complaint. On the highway, Ive consistently averaged 33 MPG and around town in the mid 20s. I am absolutely pleased with the Quality, Handling, and Design of this car.