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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  My First Corvette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By fredo - August 4 - 2:00 am

  its a pleasure to drive around with your top down.In may i made my last trip from florida to wisconsin with top down all the way.End of september i shall return to florida the same way (top down)hopefully,to spend the rest of the winter there.my biggest suprise was the milage i get 22-24 miles /gallon about the same as the honda S 2000 that i traded in on my corvette

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  Solid Vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By millms - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I replaced a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 with a 2003 Tahoe Z71. My fist reaction to the Tahoe was that it was slow compared to the Jeep but clobbers it in comfort and capacity. Its great for taking a group to the slopes or hunting but it is not an off-raod vehicle beyond a dirt road. My friend has the Z71 too and by adding duel exhaust an airbox and driving in 3rd gear it helps with the sluggish accelaeration. I will make the same alterations once my warranty expires. Overall I think its a great vehicle for weekenders who travel betweeen houses or people with larger families as the cargo capacity and comfort is great.

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  LTZ 6 CYL - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By LTZ 6 cyl. - August 3 - 9:50 pm

  Very nice, smooth riding crossover. 20 mpg average with the 264 HP V-6 and tow package. We needed to tow a 17 ft. boat and this LTZ was equipped for towing but also had GPS NAV, leather, etc...We actually didnt have to spend too much for all the extras compared to Cadillac SRX and Lexus RX 350.

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  Love my Monte Carlo. - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By 2001 Monte Carlo - August 3 - 7:03 pm

  Have owned this 2001 Monte Carlo for 6 years. I have had absolutly no problems. Its sporty, yet car seats fit well. Enough power to go without hesitation. There is plenty of room in the trunk. Mine is the "LS" model, I do perfer the looks of the SS better though.

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  2005 Silverado Extended Cab - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By TONY - August 3 - 7:46 am

  Best truck that I have ever owned. The z71 suspension gives a great ride. The climate control system much better than the previous truck I owned. There were no water leaks and no issues with the quality of the truck.

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  Wish Ford made Something this Cool - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Wish it was a FORD - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my blazer about 5 months, and purchased it with 38000 miles on it. I had it less than 2 hours when a friend broke the seat recliner off when trying to get to the back seat. I love the ZR2 even though the ride is that of a F- 350. rough, and loud. when it comes to actual function im not as enthusiastic. The HEAVY spare tire mount has no re- enforcement so the second you dont latch it all the way and the wind blows...... 2 HUGE dents. The plastic on the seat is something you constanly bump entering and exiting the vehical... Mine is broken.... Overall, i wish ford made something that looked as cool in a small SUV.

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  1999 Tahoe - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Todd Neu - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Neat simple exterior design. Would change the tailgate to that of a Suburban (2 opening doors). Peppy engine for a SUV.

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  Americas Car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By shuka - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Best bang for the buck in the world. Best car made in America. Cant wait for the C-6!

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  Great Car! - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Mike Breckle - August 3 - 12:23 am

  I love this car. It could use a little more power but Ill say that about anything. The interior is alright although the center console has a flimsy top. Otherwise this car is definitely fun to drive and definitely looks good!

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  92 Chevrolet Corsica - 1992 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Madison Chevy - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car around town. Comfortable and economical. Easy to park, easy to drive. Seldom required repair, but those were inexpensive.