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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  What a Grin - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Skip in Michigan - May 26 - 9:23 pm

  It has been so many years since I have enjoyed the fun of driving. This vehicle took me back to my first driving experiences and made me feel like a kid again! It rides well, has enough power (is there ever enough?), and the grin factor is unbelievable. I actually did a cruise the first weekend we had it. The price makes it affordable, the gas mileage as painless as its going to get, and enough room and comfort to last the whole week. Chevrolet hit a homerun on the first swing at bat!

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  First Two Weeks - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Maresha - May 26 - 2:56 pm

  I really like the look of the sport coupe with the rear spoiler. The tail lights on the sport coupe look sporty too, they remind me of Corvette tail lights. The sedan has different tail lights. It seems the rear of the sport coupe is a little higher than the sedan, & I like the angled rear lift appearance. The car handles & drives well for a 4 cylinder, considering Ive driven a V6 300ZX for the past 15 years. It would be awesome if Chevrolet made the sedan with the same rear lift and taillights that the coupe has, because I think a car like that with the spoiler & moonroof would scream! After driving a 2+2 300ZX, I had wanted a four door, but went with the coupe because the look is so hot.

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  Ride High - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By Suni - May 26 - 2:00 am

  I have a 1998 Astro and its in great condition. For any car you buy you must maintain it! Example: NEVER miss a oil change, check tires, brakes, fluid levels regularly, also keep it clean. I have about 70 000km on it, and the engine runs great..90L gas tank...use nothing but high grade! It is true that the air filters get dirty fast....but i put a fine net around the opening and it stays clean long! The body design is great, the paint it good quality. The seats inside could be more comfortable but overall its nice. The 8 speaker 500 watt stock sound system is really nice!! If Chevy had to do one improvement i would say make the performance better.

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  Marys Review - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mary smith - May 26 - 2:00 am

  I think this car is great

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  Id buy another - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By dalbc - May 26 - 2:00 am

  The van runs great, handles well, and is quite comfortable. Surprisingly, we often average 26 mpg on long highway- centric trips. The Venture has not disappointed us.

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  Fun Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By HotRod - May 25 - 6:46 pm

  After 50,000 miles its been a great car. The overall performance has been better than expected for the price. Very good on the interstate or the backwoods.

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  Silverado Duramax 2500 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By silverado power - May 25 - 10:53 am

  i have my Silverado with the Duramax engine for three years and not once has it broken down. We pull 13 000lbs and its a beast.

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  Z71 4X4 - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By vinniej - May 25 - 8:26 am

  I love the 5 cyl/5 speed combination. The truck has the power when I need it & great mileage to boot.

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  Fun, Fun, Fun, till her daddy takes the - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Color me gone - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This Z28 has been an fun, powerful car to drive and own.

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  ALL WET - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mmelyssa - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Since we have purchased this vehicle it has spent more time in the shop then on the road. Somewhere in the front of the vehicle there is a leak that no one can find. Every time it rains, the entire front floor pannel gets soaked. My car smells like mildew and GM is not being all that cooperative with helping us out. I am not the only trailblazer owner that is having this problem. DO NOT GET THIS CAR