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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  NIce Car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Sinner - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Nice car for the money....bought it on GM employee plan paid 19k for 27k car...Rides & drives great...nice performance excellent fuel mileage 33 mpg...overall nice car...

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  Great SUV - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mulletsrock - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This SUV offers a smooth and quite ride and great fuel economy.

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  Good Truce - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By RalphB - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a great truck..I am over 6ft tall and for a standard cab it has more room than Toyota.

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  No one else gets to drive it. - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By DMB - October 19 - 1:06 am

  Bought used. Have put approx 20k on the Blazer. During the summer on extended trips I got 24mpg. Limited snow this year so I have not had alot of chances to test it out in bad weather. Handles well w/o AT Tires. No problems yet. Rides well.

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  Best of Many worlds - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 1st purchased car - October 18 - 2:36 pm

  I spent over a year researching vehicles of different types before I decided on my first self-purchased vehicle. I needed something to haul horses and yet something I take clients out in, but for a reasonable 1st purchased car price. I have not been dissapointed. This truck is powerful and poised yet comfortable and with the wood grain and leather it is stately appointed. It includes many premium features that I did not expect to afford. I like the 20 inch wheels for presence and the Bose stereo system soothes after a long day. I have the Nav for direction. It has gotten me through Michigan early spring weather admirably and I have all the options of safety.

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  Has everything but fuel economy - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By owner - October 18 - 10:00 am

  Trailblazer is a great SUV with a good list of standard features. We like that it sits up high just like the more truck like Tahoe, but the TB handles more like a car. We have the optional sun and sound package. With the sunroof, a bit more headroom would be nice

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  I luv my caw - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By impala_luver - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Even though Im 25 and Im driving a chick magnet on wheels, I still cant seem to get a date. I thought the heated seats would "warm things" up a bit, but to no avail- but seriously i love the sunroof, heated seats, steering wheel layout controls-radio, the radio adjustment to windspeed, smooth handling, and fun to drive. All my friends want to take it from me on trips. I am an impala junkie.

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  96 Z24 - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By kingcarz1 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Great car when it runs, The Quad 4 was a down fall for GM, as with fuel pumps

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  Nothing but problems - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Chris W. - October 17 - 6:10 pm

  I have had my Cobalt for a month now, and it has had nothing but problems. Its been in the shop three times. First it was the AC, then it was a wiring problem causing dash and tail lights not to work, now the radio wont work. Think twice.

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  My first new car! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Delcorbett - October 17 - 12:00 pm

  I recently purchased this car and am nothing but happy so far. It is my daily commuter and I have nothing bad to say so far. It gets me to work and it runs great. Good on gas and very fun to drive. Anything beats my old Crown Vic on gas, but this one is great. This is no race car but it gets out of its own way very well.