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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  Chev Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By 44kings - January 31 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I did alot of research on this vehicle. We took one for a test drive and gave it a 9.8 out of ten. Within hours of the test drive we purchased one (and we are not ones to make purchases like this so quickly). Currently we have a 2000 Pontiac Montana and were looking for a second vehicle that was as good or better than the Montana (and the Montana is very good vehicle). Well this vehicle is better. Better ride, handling, comfort (lots of legroom especially in the sliding rear seat) and power. Definately a vehicle worth considering. So who gets to drive the Montana and who gets to drive the Equinox?

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  BigEs Fun Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By BigE - January 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my "fun" Truck. I bought a shell for it so it double as a SUV for my grands. Great for the beach and surf fishing. Needed to transport a stove for the kitchen - no problem. Oh! the color is DUKE BLUE - I am an ACC fan. Got to take the yard wast to the dump tomorrow - no sweat. Going to the mountains to do some fishing next week. This baby is "what I Like". Fun Truck.

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  1500 V6 Silverado - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By BigDag - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Got this basic truck 3 weeks ago and love it. Especially price considered: Sticker was $18,590. Drove of the lot 4K below, $14,590. Seems to be a good truck for the money. No complaints so far. 16.7 MPG after 500 miles on the clock. Drives well, tight and smooth...Good seats for this old taxi/truck driver. Very happy with the deal and the truck.

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  Always good to go! - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By imdante - January 31 - 2:00 am

  my wife and I had this car for 4 years 11 months (1 more month till paid off!). somebody rear ended our car yesterday. anyhow we were both sad to see it go. this car was always great to us. all that we had to do is change the oil. thats it. we took this car to Las Vegas all the time. never any problems. Ive heard some not so good things about the cavalier, but ours was great and I would buy another one no questions asked! I would highly recommend!

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  First couple of months. - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Big Bluebird - January 30 - 8:20 pm

  I traded my Ford F150 for this car. It hurt but the mileage on the truck was bad compared to how I used it. I used it as a car and hauled very little. I get 19 /21 in town w/the Malibu, that includes the 1000 of altitude I gain or loose on the 4 mile trip to town. The Malibu is the first car I have owned in many years. I have had no problems so far. Miss my truck but at this point would not want to get rid of the Malibu.

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  suckerbeware - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By notgood - January 30 - 2:00 am

  This was first minivan for me. I was very excited and it had everything I was looking for. Except the day after I bought it it was in the shop for extensive repairs. Had it less than a year and am ready to get rid of it! I think the dealer did nothing before he allowed this van to be resold. Also, service sent me home with the water pump and belt bad, fortunately there is a reputable Chrysler service company who were happy to fix it for me. Will not buy from that dealer again. Did not offer at any time to give me the vehicle I paid for.

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  Impala SS - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By Tzadok Gable - January 30 - 2:00 am

  Best American Four door out there and a great muscle car

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  96 SS with a ProCharger Supercharger - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jim Hellmuth - January 30 - 2:00 am

  An Art Carr trans, Hotchkis Sway bars, gas shocks, Police Spring Set and a Supercharger with a new MSD spark System and all the necessities such as a Hypertech chip systems and an additional gas pump did it for me. Tuned down to 5 lbs of boost and i am still making 350hp at the tires. It is spooky fast and fun to drive now. Cool thing is that it can handle the power. Incredibly fun car.

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  RUST!!!!! - 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By NickP - January 30 - 2:00 am

  Dont let the side skirts of this car fool you. Behind them lies plenty of rust. This is a great car if cared for but down the road be ready to bring out the bondo and refurbish the wheel wells, door jams, and the door panels.

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  This car is great - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By aSH Housewares - January 30 - 2:00 am

  This is my third and greatest Camaro I have owned. It has a shark-like aerodynamic body and torquey motor underthe hood. It is a superior car as a daily driver and it does me good at the track every once in awhile.