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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  Buy it Again. - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By KAM - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Purchased 10 months ago, we have 15k miles on the truck with no issues. With the 4 cyl and 5 speed transmission plus a tonneau cover (highly recommend) this truck gets 28-30 mpg with A/C running, loaded bed and running 75-80 mph. I just changed from Valvoline to Mobile 1 0w30 and fuel economy went from 28 to 30 mpg. Note- to get performance from this engine shift at 4- 4500 rpms. Peak HP is at 5200 rpm. You have to drive it like a Honda not a V8 Chevy to get it to run. I did a lot of research, and talked to the mgr. of an Advance Auto Parts, they use the same truck with auto trans as parts runners. They run 100-150K abusive miles with no problems.

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  1999 Venture LT - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By cdlevy - July 8 - 2:00 am

  This has been an excellent vehicle. Have had no problems. Highway milage was better than expected.

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  MY 04 SUPERCHARGED SS - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By NICHOLE - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I AM REALLY HAPPY WITH THIS CAR IT ACTUALLY GOOD ON GAS UNTIL YOU START MAKING THE SUPERCHARGER KICK IN, ITS VERY QUICK, BEAUITFUL BODY LINES I GET SOME MANY LOOKS AND EVERYONE LOVES IT

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  My 03 Avalanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By J.T.S. - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought my truck 3 weeks after it was built. I love this truck! Saw it at the SF auto show 3yrs ago as a concept truck and loved it then. I was looking at Suburban,Yukon XL, Trailblazers, Envoy XL. But found my Avalanche (with no - cladding!) my wife loved the truck too! With my two wins I bought it that day.

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  My Vette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Ted Bear - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I have driven many high performance vehciles in my time. My vette is by far the best. I took it on a long trip and it was more comfortable then my Olds 98, taken on a previous identical trip.

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  2004 Corvette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Babybenzz - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Always wanted a corvette, our dream finally came true. There was not one flaw with the paint job. The fit and finish was flawless. The C5 has always had a concern with the interior. We have black and we just love it I would not change a thing. Gas mileage has been fine no suprises here. As far as performance there is nothing like the feel of a corvette when you you get on it, the car has great acceleration. As of today no problems at all with the car.

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  Corvette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ok - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Love to drive it. Love to drive it. Love to drive it. Love to drive it.

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  Uplander: A Great Car - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Ivan Brown - July 7 - 3:36 pm

  Uplander LT offers tons of standard features that are not available in similarly priced competing minivans. The interior feels luxurious, high- tech, and comfortable. The acceleration and ride are excellent. This is a truly outstanding car for families.

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  Great value sport car - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rob W. - July 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is alot of fun to drive and is very comfortable to drive hours on end.

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  THE MACHINE - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By +ELMER TATUM - July 7 - 2:00 am

  THIS VEHICLE IS THE BEST OF 2 WORLDS, TRUCK AAND 5 PLACE CAR. GREAT RIDE, HANDLING AND CAN CARRY GREAT LOADS, BETTER THAN A SUBURBAN OR OTHER SUV. AWAITING THE 2005 MODELS TO COME OUT TO TRADE. NEEDS TO HAVE THE CLADDING ON THE BODY TO BE A GREAT VEHICLE.