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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  no more g.m for me! - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By nomoregm - September 17 - 10:00 am

  i only have had this pice of cr~p 5 weeks. first -jerky trans [computer problem]. second- trunk wont close. third-just quit running at 40 m.p.h. forth- all kinds of interior rattels.this car is built very cheap and flimzy. sound system stinks.i,m going back to ford fit and finish way above g.m with better quality materials ouality is job 1.

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  Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By lovemymonte - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I owned a 2000 Mercury Cougar and Ford took it back under the Minnesota Lemon Law. After that whole experince, I wanted to purchase something that would be reliable. My mom has a Monte Carlo and she loves the car, never any problems. I love my car. The white really looks sharp with the black moldings and the red SS detailing. I recommend this car to anyone looking for a great car with performance, great looks and a great reliability record. If you are thinking about purchasing this car, go to JD powers website and compare other vehicles. Thats what made me make my decision. Dont count this vehicle out until you have researched and TEST DRIVE.

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  Avalanche Switcheroo - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jpm - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I picked up a load of 4X8 plywood sheets and totally enclosed the tail gate and all--just in case it rained on the way home. The guy at the hardware store couldnt figure out what I was doing. He may still be there scratching his head! Always have what I need in the comparments. I cant believe more contractors are buying these and why Chevy hasnt built a contractor model!

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  Z71 Tahoe - Close to Perfect - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By JustW - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a white 2003 Z71 Tahoe October 2002. This vehicle is incredible looking and great to drive. Chevy has put so much cool stuff in this vehicle that it would take 10 pages to describe everything. The options I added were a sunroof and liftgate rear hatch, everthing else is standard. The drawback of having so much standard equipment is the price. After I added the sunroof and rear lift gate, the sticker price was over $43,500.00. A drawback to the vehicle, besides price, is the fuel consumption (avg. 13.5 MPG). Overall I would say the Z71 is close to perfect if you want something that is a lot of fun to drive and turns heads everywhere you go.

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  A great van - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By gough_1200 - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle to drive, performs very well. I have owned and driven two other models of vans, this one takes the cake. Doesnt seem like your driving a "van". Comfortable and reliable. No mechanical problems. Did have to replace brake shoes twice.

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  Awesome Burb - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Burb Lover - September 17 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this Burb with 30k miles on it. It looks and drives like new. Its a beautiful jet black with tan interior. One minor issue with cd player, but the dealer fixed it in 1 day. We love this vehicle. Heated seats, auto dim mirrors, leather, power everything. The mileage is ok for a big truck roughly 15 mpg. We now have 48k on it and still shows no signs of wear and tear.

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  Boring and Dependable - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By rozellium - September 17 - 2:00 am

  We needed a cheap car with low monthly payments that we could count on. The Prizm hasnt let us down a bit. With almost 60, 000 miles, weve had absolutely no problems other than routine maintenance like brakes. However, this no luxury vehicle. It pretty cramped, makes lots of noise especially on the highway, and doesnt have the most comfortable ride. Nothing to get excited about, but then again if your looking at a Corolla/Prizm you probably not the exciting type.

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  GREAT TRUCK - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Dan L - September 17 - 2:00 am

  This truck has been a work horse. Winter ski trips, pull the ski boat in the summer. Load up the soccer team or most of them and get down the road. Never a problem!

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  GREAT TRUCK - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By dan l - September 17 - 2:00 am

  This truck has been a work horse. Winter ski trips, pull the ski boat in the summer. Load up the soccer team or most of them and get down the road. Never a problem!

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  Good Car - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Carman - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Very reliable and cost- efficient.