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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  A Nice Car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Tom Florek - June 14 - 7:00 pm

  Just recently bought this vehicle, however had the opportunity to rent a couple for work travel. Good fuel economy, smooth transmission movement. It can get out of its own way, but not at breakneck speed. A real good family car.

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  NOX FOX - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ArizonaDustMan - June 14 - 10:00 am

  I like this vehicle a lot. It is roomy, quiet and very comfortable. I purchased it over a van because I wanted to haul all of my cleaning supplies, yet still have room for 2 or more passengers. My other vehicle is a 2005 Ford Escape, so you know that I prefer these smaller SUV-type vehicles. The difference, however, between the Escape and the Equinox is pretty much day and night. Where the Escape is square, the Equinox is round. The Escape’s ride is bumpy – the Equinox is Very Smooth. The Equinox is just as much and better than most sedans.

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  Best of the Bunch! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Ralph - June 14 - 7:30 am

  My daughter had asked me to find her a crossover with capt chairs in the middle, leather seats, dual sunroof, DVD player and rear camera. I test drove Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander & Sequoia, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Mazda CX-9. This Chevy Traverse won over all these in almost every category. She didnt like the style of Honda and Toyota. The Buick did not have a strong feel to it on the road. The Acadia was her favorite but I kept after her about the fluky transmission leaving her somewhere. The Mazda was my favorite by feel and tranny. We both drove the Traverse and were blown away by its responsive transmission and great ride. Try one out for yourself and youll see!

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  Cant they get anything right? - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Howie - June 14 - 2:00 am

  After 4 years and 5 sets of rotors, 6 sets of pads, and valves, I am thrilled to be giving this back to the bank. The sales pitch was "the car you knew america could build" well, Im back to buying Toyotas or Hondas (built in america to higher non union standards).

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  Excellent Corvette - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By justin - June 14 - 12:20 am

  This car is the best car I have ever had. It drives like I want it to, but the only thing I dont like about it is the personal design of the car. Thanks for making such a car I love it I hope yall will one day come up with even a better design than that is.

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  Not a bad truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By J in Jax - June 13 - 6:16 am

  Not as big as some of the newer trucks by Dodge, Nissan and Toyota, but if you truly want a small truck with decent gas mileage this is a nice truck. The power off the line is kind of weak, but when passing, the truck can handle its own. The power is steady all the way up. Not jumpy like my full size Sierra. I love the Z71 package. It brings the truck up higher but not too high to load things like the new full size trucks. Overall looks really grew on me too. I used to hate the front but it grew on me enough to buy one.

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  Corsica - 1994 Chevrolet Corsica
  By 82eagle - June 13 - 2:00 am

  Nothing fancy, it has been reliable. New AC Compressor at 115,000. no other problems.

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  All You Really Need - 2000 Chevrolet Metro
  By Ino Rednek - June 13 - 2:00 am

  Small Car. Great Mileage.Always starts. Plenty comfortable.Safer than a motorcycle. Keeps rain and snow off head. All you really need!

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  ABS Failure at 70,000Kms - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By GDF - June 13 - 2:00 am

  At approximately 70,000 Kms the ABS, light came on permanently, failure cause? described as requiring a total replacement of the ABS, phone call to " GM Warranty Headquarters" in Canada resulted in being informaed that the vehicle was over the 60,000km warranty period.. The GM Dealer representative , suggested I drive without ABS, returning to the Braking system I have used for the past 50 years... Results, excellent ABS is over advertised as being a safety feature? Good driving habits can provide equal results, in my opinion.

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  1995 Z-28 Convertible - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Convertible lover - June 13 - 2:00 am

  The ultimate mid life crisis mobile. Wanna feel great-have people look at you and littel kids point-buy this car. Nothing quite like the acceleration and sound of a 5.7 liter V-8 with the roof down. Dont ever-I repeat-ever attempt to drive this car in snow or ice-those great big wheels are useless -)