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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  Comfort, size, economy - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jay Jay - January 10 - 1:58 pm

  Third Impala I have owned-very comfortable leather buckets. Ride is smooth and predictable, larger six provides enough power and fine economy on the highway (30+ mpg). Overall mixed driving gives 22-23 mpg. Everything works the way it should, no surprises-Wouldnt recommend if you are looking for a tire burner or rally vehicle-this car is solid, dependable and comfortable to drive.

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  Excellent Ride - 1995 Chevrolet Impala
  By IMPALADOG - January 10 - 11:59 am

  You cannot find a better car than this one. If you apply any upgrades, which dont really need to be done, it will only improve the performance. This has to be one of the best cars ever made. As long as you do routine maintenance, this car will last as long as you own it.

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  Solid Performer - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By richgimmel - January 10 - 11:35 am

  I traded a 2005 Subaru Outback with turbocharger for my 2006 Trailblazer. Although the Chevy doesnt "scoot" like the Subaru, it has a decidedly heavier and more solid feel to it. While the Subaru had more of a "dinky" feel, the Trailblazer inspires confidence, and performs more than adequately, while still producing reasonable fuel economy. It has the room I need, with a comfortabable ride (not like a truck) which my wife loves. Leather seats are of a much more comfortable size and design than the Subaru. This is a strong, well- put-together vehicle.

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  Painless Purchase - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kc201 - January 10 - 2:06 am

  Excellent...you get a lot for your money. Two of its best features are the sliding rear seat and the folding passenger seat. Great for travel. For SUVs in the same class, you get a lot more for your money than with the CRV or Jeep Liberty. The electric steering takes a little getting used to but is another great new feature for 05. It is very spacious. The cargo net in the back is great for groceries and shopping. Also, there is a movable tray in the rear so you can cover things in the trunk, make a shelf for storage or flip it over and it turns into a great tray for tailgating. Its cloth on one side and plastic on the other. Overall...buy it...you will love it. Its.....sweet.

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  SMARTEST CHOICE - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By mrfunybuny - January 10 - 12:06 am

  Gets awesome fuel economy. Going 55mph on a flat highway, after the car was already warmed up, I was getting 38-41 mpg. I get 31.8 doing low 70s on hihgway w/ moderate inclines. About 26 with regular suburban driving. I think the car has so much power GM probably could have emphasized fuel economy even more. I think GM was smart to make this engine a pushrod style, simpler, more fuel-efficient and more reliable than DOHC.

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  Best car I have ever owned. - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By My1Rx - January 9 - 11:59 pm

  Incredible performance, handling, appearance and bang for your buck. Over 26000 miles and car is still like new. Saw my first 2006 Red ZO6 and almost fell over. May soon be upgrading to a C6 ZO6.

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  03 C5 corvette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bill - January 9 - 5:55 pm

  The car is well built and fun to drive. Very comfortable on long road trips and mileage is surprisingly good. GM could have built in more performance but that is easily fixed with after market bolt on changes. Run flat tires provide piece of mind because there is no spare tire but they are noisy. Will buy future models agains. Very nice car.

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  05 Trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Jimmy - January 9 - 5:55 pm

  Really excited to purchase first SUV. Six months later, I am disappointed. Poor fit and finish, interior is terribly cheap. First and last GM product.

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  Forget the Gas Prices - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Z71 - January 9 - 3:57 pm

  This is 2006 and this is my first rig. I bought my 2002, Z71 and I can only kick myself in the behind for not getting an SUV earlier instead of tooling around in sedans or sports cars. Not only is it a good looking truck that other people love as well as I do, but the ride is fantastic! Im 64 with very long legs and I have never felt more comfortable on long drives. I was blessed with the Delco sound system which after several test drives in other Tahoes was the best. The system BOOMS crystal clear! Nice, quiet engine, power and room when you need it. When the 2nd row seat is folded down it looks like a small living room. Snow storms in Kansas City, MO.? Like a hot knife through butter!

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  Nickle and Dimed to Death - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By John - January 9 - 1:17 pm

  I have owned a 1996 Lumina LS for the last 8yrs. I have replaced the following since purchasing. Water pump, alternator, fuel pump, driver- side power window motor, and ignition assembly. In addition the 3.1 V6 engine has a problem where the Intake manifold gasket fails every 30,000 miles. I have replaced this twice ($1100 each time). This item should be subject to a recall by GM but is not. I highly recommend you avoid this vehicle. You will spend a fortune on repairs.