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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  99 Silverado LT 4X4 - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Happy Chevy Owner - October 31 - 10:00 am

  The truck has been great. I am to almost 90K almost trouble free miles. The truck can tow anything from boats to trailers. It can also haul anything, loads of dirt, rock etc with ease. The tow/ haul function is great. Mileage is superb for a full size truck. I have the 5.3L and get 17/18 in town 19/20 hwy when not towing. It leaves my friends with Fords and Dodges gasping with astonishment! The leather seats in this truck are also MUCH more comfortable than the other two manufacturers mentioned above.

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  2007 Chevy Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jim - October 31 - 7:23 am

  Truck is OK, ride is good. Im getting 12.9 mpg in town & 17 on highway at 75 mph. A/C just started marking a knocking sound, blows cold but is very noisy

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  Only one with a full frame - 2005 Chevrolet Astro
  By oldmrjim - October 31 - 3:53 am

  Long term experience very good. Holds up very well. Built like a tank. Has steel reinforcement behind plastic bumpers. Only item replaced: Alternator.

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  Good truck for price. - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Bud - October 30 - 6:12 pm

  I bought the truck in June of this year. So far it has been OK. Handling is great and fuel mileage is also great. Overall this is a great truck.

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  Disappointed from Cleveland - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By melissa/cleveland - October 30 - 3:30 pm

  What a disappointment! Cant believe I had to replace the steering shaft twice at 700 miles and again at 7800. What was my dream car became my nightmare! Gas mileage is terrible and the stereo reception and speakers are just as bad.

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  Equinox a Bust - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jeff - October 29 - 10:16 pm

  Gas mileage is poor, only average 12mpg. The seats stain with water. It has a horrible turning radius, and more rattles than a can with marbles. Cheap interior finish. All painted interior surfaces are scratched or peeling off. Has a terrible radio, have a hum in the rear.

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  A domestic is better than an import - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Chris H - October 29 - 3:46 pm

  I compared the new Malibu with the Camry and the G6. Hated the red lighting on the G6. The Malibu totally won out over the Camry. Better interior styling, better interior access to controls, and the coolest night blue lighting at the door handles and center down lighting. This car is very comfortable for me to drive (Im 65"). Definitely not the old styling of past vehicles.

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  I love it! - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By coupegal - October 29 - 12:33 am

  I love my car! I commute 2hours everyday to college and its great on gas. Not to mention that it is comfortable and very cute! I get a lot of heads turning to look at the car. I didnt get fancy bells and whistles but honestly I dont need them. I will keep this car until it sees a better day.

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  Straight shooter - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By IcesStraight - October 29 - 12:13 am

  This car pulls no punches and I love it! The steering wheel is too close to the drivers head and is sure to send many to the hospital when the airbag deploys.

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  One good SUV - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Luke - October 28 - 8:54 pm

  We only had our Trailblazer for about a month but it is one of the best SUVs we have owned (Jeep, Montero, Trooper)!!! It has a smooth ride any plenty of power to cross the passes in Colorado. It handles well in the snow