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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  Used - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By allisonmarie13 - November 30 - 12:23 pm

  I bought my car at a dealership for $1,200 off the sticker price; I walked out paying $6,000 even for everything, including the plate. The car had over 100,000 miles on it, but they were high way miles, so the car is still in EXCELLENT condition. Although it has a high amount of high way miles, it still runs like its brand new. The car is in perfect condition, exterior and interior. I have been driving it for almost a year and the only problem Ive had is an obnoxious clicking that seems to be related to the air vents. Other than that, it is a WONDERFUL car.

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  Great Car - 2010 Chevrolet Impala
  By Edward Foster - November 29 - 8:06 pm

  Great car. Convenience package with blue tooth a must have. Ride, handling, fit and finish far superior to my 2003 Impala. Only two minor complaints. My car has the bench seat. The storage compartment in the center arm rest is too far back on the seat and it hinges at the back not on the right side like my 2003, this makes it difficult to reach items in the compartment. The outside rearview mirrors are too small. This car is my third Impala and I am more than pleased with my purchase.

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  I love it!!! - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bob from PA - November 29 - 9:47 am

  I bought this car to drive to and from work,35 miles 1 way. Ive owned the car for 1-1/2 years now and have 30,000 miles racked up. On average I get 39+ MPG with summer tires, and 35 MPG with winter tires. Both more than the advertised 34 MPG, WOOHOO. For 10,754.14 out the door and delivered to my place of work, youll not get a better deal. Im 511" and 300+ pounds and have plenty of room. The tires do wear a little odd, and the paint has worn off right in front of the rear doors and rocker panels from winter driving. The arm rest are in awkward positions. All in all, I LOVE IT!!!

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  Got a very good buy - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By xtreme - November 28 - 9:22 pm

  I just bought my 2002 Blazer Xtreme and I have been very satisfied. This is my first SUV and I know that there are bigger and better ones these days, but for the xtremes purposes it does its job. It has a very stylish look and is very comfortable. It also has a considerable amount of power and I have no problem keeping up with the rest of the traffic. The xtreme is a very hard car to find especially with the lowish miles that I found in this one. If you can get your hands on a decent blazer I would absolutely suggest it.

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  Japan, Inc. move over - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By malibuofrichmond - November 28 - 7:08 pm

  Two weeks ago we purchased this car for my wife and now with 657 miles on the clock we continue to be thrilled. She wanted an American car. The quality of this Malibu will stand up to any competition foreign or domestic. A recent trip over Thanksgiving saw 34 mpg. The car is solid, well equipped even as a base model one up from the price leader, very comfortable even in the back seat, fun to drive, and very well assembled. The ride is incredibly quiet with outside noise well insulated. This is in very way a quality car and proof that the US can produce world class vehicles. In its Imperial Blue Metallic finish, this car looks beautiful standing still.

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  To hell and back, lived to tell the tale - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By WoodRat1984 - November 28 - 7:02 pm

  I bought mine for 550 dollars, and almost 2 years later, I still own it. New radiator (ran all winter with no antifreeze!), new serp. Belt, oil changes and spark plugs, bulb replacements, and a new hood, all under 150 dollars! This car should still be in production. No Major problems, I recommend this car to anyone, doesnt matter if your rich or poor! Outstanding reliability! Man I wish I could have had this car sooner! Good performance! Smoked a 2008 Hyundai sonata! And an acura tsx! And any old Taurus or sable! Ha! And my car was practically free! In the process of tuning it up to beat a mustang hopefully, or to come close! Awesome car!

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  oh yes its love - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By bigbadme - November 28 - 10:00 am

  this one of the most ass kicking car I have owned power to burn but you can take a hit in money for gas so if want a car that gets 30 city this is not for you.

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  Dream Car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Champion - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Best car I ever owned! Agressive, yet luxurious. Great ride (ever tho dealer prep failed to release shock dampening from shipment --- I had to bring it back to be done).

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  Sweet Ride - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dot&Ron - November 28 - 10:00 am

  This was a demo with 6000 miles on it . car is loaded with about everything except compass and outside temp. Was considering a Intrepide ,but when I sew the Impala LS I was very impressed . Its a beautiful car ,lots of room , fun to drive . Take a close look at this car . It is impressive.

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  good suv - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By joe540ci - November 28 - 10:00 am

  drove it to vegas with mobil 1 oil and only 1000 mi on it from new..got 18.2 to 15.0 mpg on various tank fulls. handled mountains way better than our mini vans ever could