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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  LONG TIME COMING - 2003 Chevrolet SSR
  By SUAGEE - December 18 - 2:00 am

  WONDERFUL DRIVING VEHICLE. IT IS VERY FUN TO JUST BE ABLE TO SIT BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A VEHICLE THAT LOOKS GOOD AND HAS THE MUSCLE TO BACK UP THAT MEAN , BUT SWEET LOOK

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  Chevy - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Messner - December 18 - 2:00 am

  CHEVY, the best. I love my truck, its the best in 4wheel drive and the snow. I live to see it snow, cause I have no worries about driving in it. If I could I would move farther north or a place it snows more than Ohio. I do wish I could afford a newer SUV, but the one I have will do for know. Thanks

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  Pleasantly Suprised - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By C.J. - December 18 - 2:00 am

  I had never even considered a Malibu until my wife and I bought one. Im 64" and the Malibu was comfortable even on extended trips. Its no sports car, but the v-6 has plenty of power. Good handling, and it was rock solid on snow and ice. It also has excellent fuel economy for its size. I would also say its very safe, I walked away from a 70mph crash, uninjured.

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  A VERY GOOD TRUCK!! - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By DBCOOL68 - December 17 - 7:40 am

  I had this truck for about two years now, and have a 2008 reg cab long bed for a year now with a six engine(6 was not my choice but by the company I worked for) and my 5,3 gets better mileage than it but nowhere near the 20 claimed. But it rides well and can carry everything I have thrown at is so far. Very comfortable on long trips was a ease going all over Texas with style. The computer display gives great information about vehicle status.

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  Poorly built - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Will Neverbuyanother - December 17 - 2:00 am

  This car is fairly quick & comfortable. Transmission makes horrible noises(GM refuses to repair) front struts rattle, Sunroof drainhole (RH front) plugged causing wet roof liner, flaking paint around gas cap (when brand new) LH power mirror quit adjusting, Loud whistle from sunroof at highway speeds, radiator reservoir cap broke, sqeaks, rattles everywhere, engine runs hot when idling(rad fan rarely comes on)

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  Mikes tracker LS - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By mrdiligence - December 17 - 2:00 am

  well worth the price , V6 outstanding.

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  CHEEP IS THE NAME OF THE GAME - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By NOTTOHAPPY - December 17 - 2:00 am

  This is a nice looking vehicle. I have had many problems with this vehicle though, most of which can be atributed to a poor quality build. After the first month this vehicle was in the shop three times. I had problems with kinked fuel hoses, rear defroster which did not work (still does not after repeated attempts), 4WD froze up and would not change out of low, then after it was repaired it would not go into 4WD the following winter. Oil leaks out of the vehicle after only 60000 miles. GM service is the absolute worst in the industry also (they cant seem to fix anything the first time...)

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  Avalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Slapshot - December 17 - 2:00 am

  The truck is great. Just like driving a couch. More comfortable than I thought a truck could be. All the power you need. I pull a 22 foot fishing boat with no problem. I have dropped the rear folding seat to carry 8 sheets of plywood and the tailgate closes. My 62" son fits very comfortably in the back seat.

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  Enjoyable - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Chevy fan - December 16 - 12:50 pm

  My wife and I really enjoy the car. The sliding rear seat is great. It provides a lot of leg room. When you get on the gas it responds. The doors also open wide which is nice getting things in and out.

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  My car - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By adpmcc - December 16 - 5:33 am

  I love it. Very quiet. I like the automatic lights, it helps me whe I forget to switch them off. The console between the front seats is perfect and has just the right sized holes for my cell phone, gate opener, and dont forget my Starbucks!