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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  Heart Beat Of America - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mrual - November 18 - 1:36 am

  I bought this truck after owning a 92 S-10 4.3 Had no problems with the S-10 and i have no Problems with the silverado the silverado has a 5.3L as everyone else allways looking for better gas mileage before doing anything to my engine i was getting 18.8 MPG so i thought i would replace the OME intake system and replace with K&N cold air intake anyone thinking of doing this please do my performance went threw the roof way better gas mileage and way better performance the engine can finally breath (GM really needs to do something about there air intake systems ).. the interior is great XM and Onstar are a must love the bose sound great room front and back

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  Practical Pickup - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By dewman - November 17 - 2:00 am

  The Chevy S10 extended cab is a very practical pickup, size wise and economy wise. The ride is almost car like and the controls are very well placed. After owning three of them I can say they are dependable and trouble free.

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  2003 Venture Warner Bros - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By JerryV - November 17 - 2:00 am

  So far the 2003 Venture has been a very reliable and versatile vehicle. It is comfortable on long trips and the gas mileage is averaging around 21 miles per gal. I have used it for trips to the lumber yard to pick up lumber and materials and with all rears seats folding flat is makes it very easy to load.

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  Monte Carlo Pace Car - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Tazmanian_She-Devil - November 17 - 2:00 am

  I love my Monte Carlo Pace Car!! When I first saw it on the lot, I knew I had to have it, needless to say the next day I went back to the dealership and bought it. The car is so much fun to drive, so comfortable, so well designed, and catches so much attention. I originally had been looking at Superior Blue Monte Carlos, but once I saw this one there was no doubt that this was the car for me, and I was right! The graphics and ground effects on this car make it one of a kind! I would have to say that this is the most wonderful car ever, but I guess maybe I am partial!!

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  Great for the Money - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Stephanie Whalen - November 17 - 2:00 am

  With just a year left in college, I was looking for an inexpensive car with some style and power, and i found it! Finally, a car I can afford, look good in, and drive anywhere!

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  review - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tahoeboy2 - November 17 - 2:00 am

  great for road trips, even when towing a fairly heavy load such as a 5 wheel. day to day gas mileage sucks with the 4.11 rearend... but you can almost pull a house off the foundation!!!

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  Piece of Junk - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jmyer - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Absolute lemon. Trying to sell it!

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  Excellent SUV - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By skay - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Working for a car dealership that does not sell 7 passenger vehicles, I searched Hi and Low and compared all 7 passenger vehicles in the market. I decided on the Tahoe. It was priced resonably as opposed to some other manufactures. I couldnt be any happier with the decision that I have made.

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  Pros and Cons - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Heather - November 16 - 12:30 pm

  I love my car but there are a few issues I have. First of all, the CD player is a mess. I have already had one replaced and another replacement is on the way. The CDs get stuck in the player and will not come out. Second, light interior. I have had a light interior in cars before but never as easily stained as my Equinox i.e., my hair was wet when I got in the car and it made a water stain on the head rest that will not go away. Lastly, at times I have noticed the car will make knocking noises or jerk when I turn corners. The adjustable back seat is great! I can make extra room for the kids on long trips or make extra space in the back when I go shopping. Overall, great car!

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  Impala - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By DavidJump - November 16 - 6:00 am

  Performance is excellent. I hit 80 before I realized it. It felt like I was at 60, given noise and road feel. Gas mileage for the trip from Dover, Delaware to Somerville New Jersey was very close to 30 MPG. In fact it exceeded the EPA estimate of 27 MPG for that vehicle. Build quality, fit and finish is clearly equal or superior to any similarly priced import. This car has the leather seats, which are very comfortable. The quality of workmanship from design to engineering to assembly and dealer prep that went into this car is impressive. The trunk is large and well thought out. Hardware is out of the way, so it doesnt interfere with cargo or luggage. To summarize - WOW!!!!!!