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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  Value - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gene from Mass - September 25 - 9:20 pm

  I have to admit I bought this Impala sedan 7 months ago. Ive enjoyed it so much I bought an Impala LS fully loaded in March 2002. When I take a look at all Impala has to offer for the price, I just dont see how you can go wrong.

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  Performance of dream. - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By jmatta - September 25 - 3:06 pm

  I am very please with the performance on my Impala SS.The power on take off is so inviting and tempting, (I may say) to break the traffics law giving you that Jekyl and Hyde personality battle. I have to admit it feel so good to turn it loose once in awhile and I am just glad I had not been caught up with yet.It does not end there,at cruising speed the transformation comes back,you could only heplessly wacht once again how you end up giving in to temptation so just go ahead enjoy the rush!

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  Best truck on the road - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By lloyd579 - September 25 - 2:43 pm

  I would never buy another truck unless its GM quality. Nothing compares to the Chevy Silverado Z71. Ford, Dodge, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda should all just give up and find another market.

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  2002 Silverdado - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Steve H - September 25 - 2:36 am

  My 2002 Silverado has been an outstanding truck. I just bought a 6000 LB trailer and it pulls it with ease, however rather slow on big hills and gas mileage is around 10 MPG but that was to be expected. My lease is now up and have decided to buy out the lease.

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  More than expected - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By pasmiles - September 24 - 2:53 pm

  We have found our AWD Chevrolet Equinox LS to be a much more enjoyable vehicle than we originally expected it would be. The ride is very comfortable and carlike, the engine is quiet and very powerful, the seats are comfortable and very versitile and even the radio with its many buttons is much easier to operate than other radios with those confusing multi-function buttons. The AWD system couldnt be simpler to operate, you do absolutely nothing, and provides a secure feeling in all kinds of weather. Even the wipers, both front and rear, are the quietest I have ever heard. Do yourself a favor, dont overlook this vehicle.

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  Outstanding car - 2015 Chevrolet Sonic
  By Jeanne - September 23 - 12:49 pm

  Love everything about this car and ability to flat tow is a bonus

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  Awesome! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Roslynn Eaton - September 22 - 8:20 pm

  This is a replacement vehicle for a 2000 Tahoe. Needless to say I was not real sure I wanted to get rid of the Tahoe, as it was also a very awesome rig. Not too great on fuel tho. But this HHR has surpassed all my expectations by leaps and bounds. I am 67 yrs young, Tahoe had purple flames and so naturally, this HHR had to have purple flames also. I love the vehicle. I cant say enough about it. The handling ability is so great and it really gets up and goes. I think it would have beat the Tahoe!! GM has done it again.

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  love the ecotech engine - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By silverbroomstx - September 22 - 2:00 am

  We got ours in june 2003, we love it, I never have purchased an automatic, until this one, it is great for the money! black with after market rims from the dealer, no ground effects no pin stripes it really is hot looking! and really quick too!

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  corvette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By slim - September 22 - 2:00 am

  after driving several other corvettes it just seems to get better.it is hard to beleive this car can be improved.

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  the truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By chip - September 22 - 2:00 am

  i love my truck