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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  Love my Chevy - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Adam Wiley - January 24 - 11:36 pm

  Great truck all the way around. Looks great, drives great, powerful, comfortable, smooth ride, not noisy, etc. Wish it had navigation though. Onstar sucks.

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  My Cobalt SS Victory Red - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Teddy Melendez - January 24 - 11:03 pm

  I use this car for work. In 9 months I have drove over 26k miles. This car has been worth every penny. Its great on gas, handling, and performance as I drive all over the state of Florida for my job. I would recommend this car. Im in the market to improve the 2.4 Ecotec engine.

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  Daily Commuter - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 99hardtop - January 24 - 2:00 am

  This hardtop is a joy to drive, excellent handling, responsive acceleration, firm supple ride, great brakes, great fuel mileage. This is truly a great drivers car. Purchased for low 20s...for that price nothing can touch the value it offers.

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  My 3rd Astro - 2001 Chevrolet Astro
  By Jim of Fort-Laud. - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I have owned an 85 and a 91. My most recent Astro is the worst one yet. I miss the comfort of the seats of my other vans I have deflated the back support completely and it is still uncomfortable. I cannot adjust the AC vent to prevent the air from blowing right on me it is the same for the passenger. The rear suspension is too soft I had to reinforce it. I have spent a lot of time at the dealer (leaking roof, brake light, door lock, rear axle, brakes, power windows, etc.). Like my other Astros, the idle is rough, the rear brakes are weak, and the check engine light comes on.

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  Comfort, visability, Power - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Kevin01145 - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I actually really am sorry to let this one go. I have a trailer and love to pull all sorts of things. This rig has been absolutly fabulous!

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  ASTRO LS - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By DAVID Y - January 24 - 2:00 am

  VERY GOOD OVER ALL, NEEDS IMPROVEMENTS BAD AS NOTED BELOW. NEEDS MORE CHOICE OF PAINT AND INTEROR COLORS

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  Z R5 - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By jlmonte97 - January 24 - 2:00 am

  The ZR5 is a fun and sporty truck. This truck is not to bulky to handle. It looks great, but is also very practical!

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  2004 S-10 ZR5 - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By Vulcan#1 - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Had the truck for only a month (Its my third S-10)Very comfortable and roomy for a small pickup. Dont really care for the no-choice black-only interior. Still is an eye-catching design outward. I prefer the looks over the Colorado, mainly because of the odd wheel-well shape on the Colorado.

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  OK ,but please do better. - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By RayJ. - January 24 - 2:00 am

  ABS in this truck is a NIGHTMARE. Had to goto the shop 5 times. I cross my fingers it wont happen again, but I said that at 4 times in.Its a good truck for light work.

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  chevy astro - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By boyd6577 - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I have really enjoyed our astro for almost 2 years, now and would recommend it to anyone with more than 2 children. it is very comfortable, and reliable