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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  Z 71 Review - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By F Arabia - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Rear view is difficult, to much reflection at night on the rear view mirror.

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  chevy tracker lt - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By george - August 10 - 2:00 am

  i have no broblems with my suv its a great suv rides great fuell is good i go anywhere with it

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  Love to Drive My Avalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Love the Avalanche - August 10 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Avalanche in early June of this year. We have had it on a few road trips and it rides great on the road. We just got back from towing our boat on a 7 hour trip and the Avalanche did great. It has the power to tow and the ride of a luxury auto. I especially like the quietness of the ride, no air noise while on the highway.

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  My 11th Chevy Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By classic1957gal - August 9 - 8:33 pm

  My 2005 Ext Cab is the 11th Chevy truck Ive owned (not counting Blazers; have had 4 of them); some I bought new, others used, and tho I tried another brand once, Ill always come back to a Chevy! This truck, like the others, has been a great all- around vehicle to own and drive. Love the style (inside & out), ride, performance and for a 4-wheel drive and my heavy foot, it gets great gas mileage. I cant imagine myself or either of my sons without a "bowtie" in our driveways! That says a lot since I was raised in a "blue oval" family.

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  truck - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By jet - August 9 - 2:00 am

  this truck runs very good and gets good gas mileage and so it goes.

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  corsica - 1990 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Pottle - August 9 - 2:00 am

  really fun to drive, handles great, kinda gutless, probably fine with the v6

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  JUST PLAIN AWSOME - 1995 Chevrolet Beretta
  By benjamin - August 9 - 2:00 am

  This car is just plain awsome, the handleing is awsome, accel is awsome,sound is awsome, the seats r confortable , great for a long trip!!!! THE 3100 V6 WILL LAST FOREVER!!!! the speed will last forever 2

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  I love this car - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By FBodySS - August 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car for little over 17000 miles and have had no problem with it. The car has 34000 miles and has never had a problem. Its the most fun car I have ever had! For the dollar to horsepower ratio, you cant beat it.

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  Camaro is Outstanding - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Kathryn Davis - August 9 - 2:00 am

  Always wanted a Camaro, now they quit making them just after I bought one. Absolutely love this one, 3800 v-6 motor is an easy one to work on, car was loaded with great equip. & the mileage was so low. Never have had any trouble, hope I dont. I would only maybe put chrome wheels on it. t-tops are better than a convertible!

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  Flawless. - 2000 Chevrolet Suburban
  By edwin301 - August 9 - 2:00 am

  This Suburban has been flawless. With 41k miles, it has only been in the shop twice, and both for minor things. The 6.0 engine will pull your house right off the lot. A/C is great, and acceleration is awsome. Gas mileage is so so, but for something this big, and this fast, mileage is better than expected. This Suburban has no rattles, no wind noise. Best one we have had yet. We recently bought a luxury Japanese car and in 8 months, it has been in the shop 5 times, and needs to go back again. From this point forward my next car will be a Suburban/Tahoe.