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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  Love it! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By g-cat - September 14 - 2:00 am

  We love it! It is comfortable and drives well. We have driven it from WA to Mexico several times and it was great. The kids kept busy with the videos and we were happy listening to the radio and cds.

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  Exciting Rear Wheel Drive Sports Car - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Rear Wheel Drive - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Since the new purchase of this z28 camaro, it has been a joy to own and drive. The V8 engine packs alot of power, great for excelleration and going up mountain drives. The interior is well laid out with great views, comfortable cloth seats and a super stereo system. Add on t-tops and you have a fun almost convertible experience. The camaro is a fun, well laid out car with automatic headlights and daytime running lights too for safety. Great car for the value.

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  We love our SS - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By STM - September 14 - 1:40 am

  Weve taken the SS on road trips that include interstate and winding mountain roads. The V8 responds immediately and brings back memories of the old Chevy muscle cars. Fuel mileage is a little disappointing, but its hard not to get on the accelerator when you have the chance.

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  Love It!!!!!!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jdiddyschick - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I love it and its a great little family car we have on child and it is perfect for us.

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  Good Truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Morioka, Japan - September 13 - 10:00 am

  Good Truck. Solid. Minor problem witha side mirror.

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  I love it! - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Sharon - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I love my new truck! I am 5 ft tall and I have no problem driving this vechicle. It could be a little better on gas and exterior styling but overall I love it.

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  the "EEK " or the "Nox" - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Franke767 - September 13 - 10:00 am

  Had it for 6 weeks now and still very much impressed. Very smooth ride, and handling is quite good. I love the view out of the large windshield, sitting up higher than other cars. Reviews say the steering is too easy, I think the steering feel is perfect.For the money, you cant beat it!!!!!!!!!

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  Great truck, but no XM. - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By tioga Jack - September 13 - 10:00 am

  Very comfortable to drive, I use the truck for towing either my boat or my camper. We recently went to Michigan towing the camper, other than Chicago traffic, the truck was great!!

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  CHEVY S10 - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By JOHN TORRES - September 13 - 2:00 am

  THIS TRUCK IS TO SMALL AND SHOULD ONLY BE FOR SMALL PEOPLE

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  fun cur - 1995 Chevrolet Beretta
  By bobski - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I have this car for almost 7 years and I love it. Cant Imagine another car, and I hope Chevrolet will come up with another Beretta in the future, of course I had few problems with the car but what do you expect for 145000 and still running great....very fun to drive driving it to work every day, 70 miles a day.