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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  Brilliant Car - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Alan - June 14 - 2:52 am

  I had an old pickup before I owned this car. It got 6 miles to the gallon and I knew I couldnt go for some puny V6 something. After seeing one of my buddys 2000 Camaro RS I knew it was what I was looking for. I then later found gas mileage was astounding for the Z28 style for the Camaro, considering the engine. The car has mechanical genius written underneath with the LS1 suspension proving nothing is too harsh. The 350 shows acceleration through any gear and no matter what you throw at it, it performance flawlessly.

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  Nothing better Quality Control wont fix - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Dalien - June 14 - 1:18 am

  A really nice vehicle for the price. It drives well, rides well, and the strong 5 cyl engine gives a steady 23 mpg mixed use. Wish it had come with XM radio, but those were hard to find. I immediately flushed out the cheap tires for Michelins. There were too many warranty trips to fix dumb things, but the warranty service was excellent and no hassle.

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  I love my Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By TF New Jersey - June 13 - 10:28 pm

  Im a luxury car driver. I needed the SUV for the winter and long drives down I95 south. at first I was a lil afraid because the SUV (Z71) sits so high and the vehicle is very large seating 7 passengers and Im only 54". Once I got used to it Im loving it. The DVD is great for my 3yr old and the vehicle has a lot of room for my 63" teenage son. There is also plenty of space for cargo, whether it be groceries, luggage, bicycles, or motorized cars for the tiny tots. I recommend it to any and all. This vehicle definitely turns heads on the roadway.

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  Great reliable car - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By A E Smith - June 13 - 8:18 pm

  This vehicle has been to college with 2 kids and has been a great...no accidents, cosmetic dent in left fender the size of large grape!!! And a cosmetic scuff along the right side

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  Sweet Magpie the Miracle Car - 1990 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Slanball - June 13 - 7:54 pm

  I bought my Lumina for 800 and it had 150k miles on it. My intention was just to drive it into the ground and buy a better car. But, I have yet had the opportunity to junk this magical car. Ive put about 35k miles on it and have had to do $0 worth of work to it. Sure it leaks oil, has terrible shocks that I wont replace, and looks bad, but this car has literally saved me thousands of dollars that I didnt have.

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  I love this car! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By KJP - June 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car used with 8800 miles on it. It now has over 135,000 miles and is still going strong! This is the most reliable car Ive ever owned! I get great gas mileage and it is comfortable to drive! I drive 120 miles round trip M-F to work and back. This car is very roomy and practical! I love the hatchback and the fact that the seats fold down. I can haul TONS in this car! This car accelerates quickly and stops fast. Blind spots are limited so seeing out the windows is easy. There is really nothing I can say negatively about this car!

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  My New Cruze - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By ck1951flint - June 13 - 10:00 am

  In 1999 I purchased a new Olds Aurora-I fell in love with that car and everything about it and swore I would drive it until GM came out with something as good or better. My new Cruze LTZ has accomplished that and more. I am 61" and it is as comfortable as it is fun to drive. I have every option save the Nav. system, they have thought of everything and at a very modest price. One of my friends has a 2010 CTS and said mine has more equipment and technology and rides and performs like a twin for a lot fewer dollars. Chevy knocked this one out of the park.

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  Happy with Tahoe - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Nikki Graham - June 12 - 2:30 pm

  I am extremely happy with my 2000 Tahoe. "Knock on Wood" I havent had any problems with mine. Prior to owning a Chevy I drove Ford Explorers and there is no comparism. I had my share of lemons with Ford. My Tahoe currently has 88,000 miles and still drives like it did when it had 40,000. I would buy another Tahoe.

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  American Trash - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ayoung - June 12 - 2:07 pm

  The V6 is strong but as with most American cars, it is poorly built. At 100,000 the intake manifold gasket went. I can already tell the transmission is living on borrowed time as it, like most American transmissions, cant make up its mind which gear it needs to be in. It also shifts hesitatingly. Fortunately this was a hand me down from my wifes parents and we have only had to pay for the repairs, not the car. I just wish the Americans could build something that lasts.

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  Lumina 2000 - 2000 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Faye - June 12 - 2:00 pm

  It drives very well and the speed is great. The interior is pretty good, its very comfortable. The only problem is the inside of the car needs a little work on its parts. A few are loose, but of course its a 2000. It runs rather well on the gas and the air conditioner (A/C) is great. Very much a family car. I had a 2000 Nissan Maxima before. Very sporty. It had quite a bit of mechanical problems which was getting to expensive to continously fix. I am very happy with my decision on purchasing a 2000 Lumina. It really puts a smile on my face.Oh and the Midnight blue color is beautiful. You gotta love it.