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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  Great Car for the Money - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ryan - May 8 - 1:56 am

  Ive had my Impala LT for nearly one year and am very happy with it - 36k miles. Its been 100 percent reliable, solid feeling, and gets about 28-32 on the highway (once got 34mpg on a tank driving 65 on flat open highway). This is a great car if youre looking for an American vehicle thats well built, has a great drive train, and can be driven long distances with good comfort. My last Chevy (1998) went more than 170k trouble free....hopping to get the same or more out of this one. So far, so good.

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  Nursemobile - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Carol Howell - May 6 - 11:46 am

  I drive about 125 miles a day when I am working. I appreciate the pickup when driving on the freeway. I have experienced some transmission "jerk" on a quick acceleration - ie. getting on the freeway/passing on a double lane road. Satellite radio is a must for me as well as the heated seats.

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  Love my HD Crew - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Mike Mem - May 6 - 11:03 am

  Ive only driven 1100 miles. The ride is as good as our S-Blazer or even our Accord. Even with BFG ATs it has a quiet ride (much better than the Accord). Lots of room in the back seat for passengers. The engine has good power but you always wonder how much better the 8.1 or Duramax would be if I would have been willing to pay the price. The biggest downside is the size of a big truck like this. Im glad I have other cars to take into a parking terrace.

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  Ive had good luck - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By amylou - May 4 - 5:08 pm

  Paid $9000 for the bare bones 2006 sedan and for the price, Im happy with it and plan on driving it until it dies. No problems with engine, tranny, electrical, etc. Gear transition chunky, does not improve. Im lax with regular maintenance and simply dont care about image , so combined with the iffy craftsmanship minor things are always breaking and falling off, too expensive to fix. But I have always LOVED the shape of it, no one wants to steal my little inconspicuous crank-window value model. Needed bushings early on and the shocks/struts have degraded to a Lincoln Continental rolling sort of ride. Unstable in wind on highway. Good for short commute, would buy again for the TRUNK!

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  Update to "Great Vehicle" - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Justin - May 4 - 3:06 pm

  I have now owned my HHR for 2 years and can provide an update. I am still very satisfied with the purchase. I get through my daily routine - and then some - without guzzling too much gas. I turn a few heads when the wheels are shined and the windows are down (which is always fun). One thing to note before I go on with my details: the American product is now AT LEAST as good as any foreign product. Take my HHR for example. Potential buyer, be advised... look at the reports!

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  funner than most - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By zillaryder - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I love my Monte. But i do have a few things that could be better. 1. The drivers seat is to soft. It needs to grip you better. 2. The seat belt guide is annoying when trying to get something or someone out of the backseat. 3. The passenger airbag fit isnt the greatest. 4. I put stiffer tires on mine to help its cornering ability. 5. Ive broke the lid on the center consol twice when leaning over it to get something out of the back. 6. GMs dedication to the "unistick" cruise, signals, wipers & brights all on one stick. 7. The negetive stereotypes that come with the name "Monte Carlo". My brothers call it the "Granny Carlo" among others.

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  Passing resemblance to Opel Astra - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By SCCHEVY - May 4 - 9:00 am

  Ive been waiting for GM to start bringing us cars that more closely resemble what they sell in Europe. The Malibu missed the Opel Vectra a little, but the Cobalt grabbed me as a dead-ringer for the last generation Opel Astra. I love the styling, and the interior is such an improvement over the antiquated Cavalier!

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  Good Car - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Rickster - May 3 - 7:25 pm

  This car is decent. I bought this car at around 92k, and now i am at 98k. The car has a nice, roomy interior with an okay exterior. The brakes are mushy and take time to get used too. The car is weak going up hills, but who cares when your getting awesome gas mileage. Despite the mushy brakes and weak power, this car is VERY reliable.

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  Happens all at once - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jeff - May 3 - 3:43 pm

  My car has been fine no big problems. I had to have brakes and the air went out. I keep smelling gas so if everything starts to happen then the car is falling apart. Before the gas smell the car was great.

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  it is what it is... - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By John - May 3 - 1:46 pm

  Purchased new in 06. Rotors warped at about 15k mi. Was told by my mechanic this is typical. Grounded down and now have 36k mi. on car. Always used synthetic oil and always 1/2 to 1 quart short when I go in for a change. The tire sensors failed and were fixed under warranty fixed the key fob too, only worked when next to the car (defeated purpose of remote start). The truck lid is heavy and difficult to open. Wish I bought the package with Bose stereo & heated outside mirrors. The car handles relatively well for front wheel drive. It is very fast and is excellent highway cruiser. Surprisingly decent in snow with factory tires.