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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  Corvette Review - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By city1 - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle is impressive from the first time you lay eyes upon it. Vehicle is build very well and panels match very well along with the interior is well done. There is power to spare and the car feels like it is standing still at 100MPH. Not much on the road that can match up too it.....

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  Poor Chevy - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Hello_786 - July 26 - 2:00 am

  It looks kind of cool but i dont like it nomore because every week i have to get it fixed.

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  Happy Z06 - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Vette - July 26 - 2:00 am

  The best Vette ever and it holds 2 sets of golf clubs. A great daily drive, wonderful cruiser on trips and it can turn on the racer on 1 second notice. Other than an oil change, it has had no problems in 8000 miles. Im ready for the 2005 with 500 horespower!!!

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  the best truck !!!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By penudo - July 26 - 2:00 am

  the best truck money can buy no questions and doughts about it .

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  good truck - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By pkoplin - July 26 - 2:00 am

  it is everything it is billed at...safe, strong...ableto move the family with no effort...okay gas mileage consdiering you are pulling 5100 llbs....good computer info to driver...onstar a plus..kids love the dvd and so do I

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  Big Red Avalanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By brucoli - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Better than I expected! The ride is very smooth and surprisingly quiet. The sun-n-fun package with the sunroof and XM radio is a must. I have 3 small children (8, 6, & 4) and they love riding in "the big red truck"!

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  Nice car to have - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Guo - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Comfort for long drive

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  Very Disapointed - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By John Degory - July 25 - 9:33 pm

  The gas mileage is very disapointing. At least 5 miles under what is advertised. Outside design is very sharp. Interior cloth for LT is very cheap. More attention needed to the plastic edges by windows. The dash rattles. The map lights blind the driver when used. Great room in the back seat and headroom. Moonroof is also very nice. Over all interior needs upgraded for LT version. The turning radius is horrible and the outside mirrors need to be heated in the LT version.

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  Wonderful Car! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bob - July 25 - 3:56 pm

  This car is beautiful inside and out. Have had almost 4 months. Sweet like candy to a child. The layout, controls are just fantastic. People stare at us all the time. Ride and power for a 4 cylinder is amazing. Dont want to compare to anything else, this car is in its own class. Build quality is remarkable. Lines inside and out are like silk. Smooth and soft. Everything works so well. Let me mention the mileage. I drive city and country roads many stops. No highway 27-30 mpg so far. Have 1700+ miles on it. Have checked many times. I just want people to know how much I love this car.

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  Poor Review - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By dhhd222 - July 25 - 2:00 am

  This car takes so much gas...there are so many more suvs that can hold the same amount of passangers but do not have such a poor fuel economy...i have needed a new alternator 3 times and a new transmission 2 times...i will never buy another cheverolet again