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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  Satisfied customer - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Mike - January 6 - 12:47 am

  Pleasant and easy driving characterize the Aveo. Handling is agile and predicable with quick braking. Turning circles are short. The car is solid, well-built and heavy for its size. Its very economical on gas. It glues to the road well with proper tires. (Factory Kuhmos were replaced immediately after purchase.) The short nose, tall driving position, and superior forward view magnify the cars agility assets, making it easy to drive. The 1.6 L4 provides plenty of pep (4-sp auto). This car rides well, and handles well in snow. The cabin is spacious. I am 58", and my girl is 510" with very long legs. Limits: seats four only, trunk lid arms dip into trunk, lower than normal ground clearance.

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  Cannot wait for 2007 model - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By peteinpa - January 6 - 12:35 am

  Power, comfort and better control than my sedan. The wife and kids use it regularly and when they have to use Dads car...well...nobodys happy? The kids love it, my wife and I love it! And you will not feel safer. We cannot wait to order our 2007! For big families...this is the vehicle!

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  Positives outweigh negatives - 2016 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Richinbk - January 5 - 5:07 pm

  I got a very basic model so theres nothing too impressive to mention except that the truck is roomy in all directions, rides very well and looks good. My only major complaint would be poor fuel mileage. Sticker claims i should be getting 19 city and 24 highway. Im actually getting about 12 or 13 mpg city and jury is out on highway mileage since I do mostly city driving. I have AWD so maybe thats the culprit. Otherwise, so far so good. Cant wait to take it on a nice road trip.

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  Toyota & Honda Beware! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ken - January 5 - 4:03 pm

  We have been looking for a midsize car for some time now and thought we would wait after I saw the 08 Malibu. We looked at Toyota, Honda & Ford and after driving the Malibu we were sold. So far with only a few hundred miles on it and a tank of gas we averaged in mix driving 27mpg! Great for being new, hope to get better. Interior room is very good and trunk is large. Planning a trip to Florida in the spring and I think the Malibu will be coming along. If you are looking for a new vehicle you must put the Malibu on your list and you wont be disappointed.

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  Crew cab review - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By rockme2 - January 5 - 3:23 pm

  I love the truck, have had no problems with it. I am getting between 16 and 17.5 in the city. Large, comfortable cab. The only down fall is the bed size a little on the short side but it just does fit in the lines of parking spaces.

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  I love my new 06 Colbalt - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Caryn B. - January 5 - 6:16 am

  It is totally fun to drive. The sound system is awesome. I have XM radio free for 3 months, so Im lovin that! It is a very smooth, quiet riding vehicle. I like the way it handles. Great on take-off, like getting on the freeway.

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  My AV - 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By John Krause - January 5 - 3:09 am

  I bought my 2006 Avalanche for 3000 dollars below what I would have to spend for a Tahoe base version, go figure. In my AV (Avalanche) I have the Z66 premium onroad package, tow, posi, stainless side assist, and more options than I thought, still 3000 below the BASE Tahoe. I love the ride, the driving position, the fact that I can take 3 or 4 clients with no problem. Gas mileage? Check back with me later. Ill be running Mobil One 5w30, a K&N Air filter, higher tire pressure(+2lbs) and Ill keep my foot out of it. If you need a broad, stable, and comfortable ride I can suggest an AV.

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  2006 Uplander - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By e - January 5 - 2:19 am

  The ride is very smooth and quiet.It handles very well for a van. Good sight lines through the mirrors.

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  A Great Little Car!! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Andy - January 4 - 7:22 pm

  This car has to be one of the best bargains available today. All of the negative comments I read in reviews I have not found to be true on my car. This car is the best riding, most comfortable, quietest small car I have ever driven. It handles great both on rural roads and super highways. I have read about problems with standard tranny but mine shifts great in every gear all the time. Passenger room is great, even in rear seat. Cargo room is great with rear seat folded. Engine is great. Very smooth and requires less shifting than any 4 cyl I have ever driven. So far I have averaged 34 MPG! This is not a luxury car or a muscle car or a sports car, but after 5 mos and 7000 mi Im very satisfied

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  We were surprised - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Goldenflight - January 4 - 5:09 pm

  We were surprised how nice this machine really is. It is easy to park and roomy enough for the whole family in comfort. A pleasure to drive, it wants to continue in a straight line and pulls a trailer with ease. Dont expect sports car thrills, but do expect predictable relaxed comfort and surprising maneuverability.