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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  First Van - So far its been Good Choice - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By rjk from SF Bay - April 23 - 2:00 am

  Compared everything & narrowed down to this & Honda. The Chevy WB edition had much better bang for the buck. Only complaint is a squeaky door we never had with Honda or Nissan products. Still happy about our choice.

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  Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By KAYBEE - April 23 - 12:33 am

  I previously owned an 03 Impala and the 07 is a much better car. It has much more power and gets great mileage. The interior is great except for the faux wood trim. The exterior has nice lines and it is a sharp looking car. The flex fuel feature is neat, but E85 has mileage limitations. The traction control is improved and you dont notice when it engages like the 03. The rear seats fold down which is nice, the 03 that I owned did not have this feature. As soon as I took delivery, we drove from Chicago to DC. I had 4 adults and a child and everyone was quite comfortable. I love this car.

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  Nice Truck--Price Was Right! - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bob - April 22 - 5:10 pm

  I got this truck at the very end of the model year; and I must say the price was right! I traded a 99 Dodge Dakota, which served me extremely well, but was getting long in the tooth. Ive put 3K miles on my Silverado so far and am completely satisfied with the handling, power and quality. I must say, I dont care for the weird lint problem on the seat! Otherwise very satisfied. The size and body style does take a little getting used to in getting around town, backing up and parking in tight spaces. My wifes 03 Sequioa is easier to park!

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  MINE RUNS GREAT. - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By WALTER WOLOCZYJ - April 22 - 2:00 am

  EXCEPT FOR THE DASHBOARD LIGHT KNOB, AND THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES. EVEYTHING IS JUST FINE.

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  Gets the job done but American quality - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By odelrio - April 22 - 2:00 am

  We bought the 95 Suburban used in 4/00, it had 90k miles but in excellent shape. Three years and 30k miles later, it has had electrical (ignition and instrumentation) problems, brake problems, stereo quit twice (bought a GM replacement and then finally a Pioneer) and the interior plastics have cracked and are falling apart (brake release, hood release, and seat belt guides). The gas mileage on the 5.7L is ~9-11 MPG without exception. Both dealerships and performance shops feel the mileage is not out of the ordinary. The size and comfort of this vehicle is easily its main virtue but expensive to own and anything but worry-free.

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  okay - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Verrell Haywood - April 22 - 2:00 am

  A lot of issues, except with the engine and transmission.

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  Poor Quality and Service - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Masters - April 22 - 2:00 am

  This car has been nothing but problems, thank goodness for extended warranty. Im looking forward to the day that I sell this car.

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  2005 Equinox Review - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By John - April 21 - 1:53 pm

  So far, so good. Only have had it for a short time, but runs nice and is comfortable. Kids love it. Plenty of room for their stuff and to take their friends along. Not sure about gas mileage yet, have heard mixed reviews, but will be the judge myself. Great vehicle for the price, nothing in its class can touch the value.

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  Wish Id bought a Ford - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By rp - April 21 - 2:00 am

  * GENERATOR REPLACED @ 50,000 MILES *TRANSMISSION REPLACED @ 77,000 MILES ($2000) *TRUNK LEAKS SINCE NEW

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  Hard to get rid off - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By New Chevy Guy - April 21 - 2:00 am

  This bad boy has taken me to NY from VA and back about 10 times. It has battle the narrow curvy backroads of VA and has taken on the pot holes and wild taxi drivers in NY. No wonder I need shock work! And most importantly it has never left me on the side of the road. Every time I try to find a reason to sell it I cant. Sincerely, New Chevy Fan 1993 Chevy Cavalier VL 2D