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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  On a trip w/ 06 Nox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By goobie - September 17 - 4:16 pm

  Have had vehicle for 7 weeks. Took trip from Colo. to Cal., went about 2400 miles r/t. Avg 21.6 mpg. Most driving was at or over 75mph on I-70 & I-15. Drove into head winds at times. Great vehicle. Comfortable. Easy, very easy, to drive. Good handling on snow packed mountain passes (in CO.) and off-road desert trails (in Ca.) didnt push it to the limit tho. Didnt need to as Nox AWD seems to have good traction control on all sorts of road conditions if its driven reasonably. In the back of my mind the biggest concern is the long term quality of the Chinese factory built engine. Engine purrs right now, will know more in 5/6 years or so. Hopefully not my last Chevy.

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  Silverado 2500 LS Ex Cab - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By MrMax23 - September 17 - 10:00 am

  You just cant beat a Chevy Silverado,Handles great plenty of power with the 6.0 Vortec! Dont make the mistake of buying a Ford or Dodge there is only one Superior truck and thats Silverado!

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  Bump - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By bama5029 - September 16 - 6:10 pm

  This is one of several Tahoes I have owned, I have vibration in steering wheel and bumpy ride, came with Bridgestone tires, the dealer has replaced the tires and seems to have solved the problem. I like everything about the 2007 Tahoe, except I think better tires should come on the Tahoe.

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  Awesome Car - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By niclin - September 16 - 1:54 pm

  Im 19 now bought this car after my 89 cutless rusted out. I saw this car at the dealership (in mid 2011) it caught my eye right away so I took for a test drive, liked it, bought it, took it home that same day. Ive had it for almost a year right now and I have to say its a very reliable car to have except the tranny is slipping at 188,000 miles, my driver side seat heater went out, had to replace the front right bearing, and the control arm. When I bought it it still had the original fuel pump so i had to replace that as well. It has great pick up for how heavy and big the car is which is pretty surprising, while getting good gas mileage about 22 city and 28 hwy.

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  Great reliable car - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jenna Smith - September 15 - 8:48 pm

  Purchased used with 82,000 miles has been a great reliable car, has 107,000 now after 2 years and all Ive needed to do is regular preventive maintenance, has had a couple non-serious recalls that I sent to garage to fix, but looking at purchasing a new Malibu while mine is still worth almost what I owe on it.

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  Very Pleased - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By JEquinox02 - September 15 - 12:06 pm

  I sometimes think that I made a bad purchase then realize how great of an SUV this is. Other than a few minor flaws, such as the leather wrinkling so easy and the center consule so close to my leg. The Equinox provides excellent pickup for 185hp and superior styling. Most SUVs in this class dont compare at all. I love this car and hope that I will love it till the end of my SmartBuy. I have trust that this is an excellent car. Im not to worried about it breaking down ever and if it does il just press that little button.

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  Chevy Deisel - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Jams Anderson - September 13 - 12:53 pm

  I added a $300 chip and get 20mpg on the road and 16mpg around town. its amazing for a truck that large to have as much power, confort and gas economy. I will put it up next to a Ford or Dodge any day.

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  Tried Ford &Tundra, bought Chevy - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jackson - September 13 - 12:53 pm

  Tried the Ford crewcab 4 wheeldrive and the Tundra doublecab 4 wheeldrive the ride, and cost made Chevy the best bang for the buck. LT3 package and Z71 is great. I had one problem. The A/C controller acted up and the dealer replaced. Alls well after 9000 miles. Im still very happy with the Chevy.

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  Classy and - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Ron - September 12 - 8:56 pm

  My 2007 Corvette Z51 Montery Red has been sitting in the garage for 3 weeks now while I have tacked up more than 2,700 miles on my 2010 Inferno Orange/ white stripes, RS, SS, LS3, 6 speed manual,Inferno int package,sun roof.... The car is fun and gets 25 mpg on the freeway at 74 mph. The Boston speaker system is the best I have ever heard.

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  Best Chevrolet Ive owned. - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dale B. Larson - September 12 - 11:00 am

  This car is what Detroit should have been making for the last several years. It is comfortable to drive, quiet from road noise, and extremely fast. It is a pleasure to drive on the highways and has more than enough power to please. Chevrolet has a winner in the 2006 Impala SS.