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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  Our 2000 Chevy Suburban - 2000 Chevrolet Suburban
  By walvord - March 22 - 2:00 am

  While not quite the classic as our 55 Bel Air, it is a great family hauler, 4 kids, 3 cats, and 1 dog. Lots of room for the groceries too. Great for long trips, roomy, comfortable, reliable. Highly recommended for the big family that has lots of activity.

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  Never again - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By not satisfied - March 22 - 2:00 am

  Sorry, but I have nothing good to say about this car. If it werent for a company vehicle, I would not purchase one. Many brake problems and other problems that cost me a lot of dollars over the 3 year life. Enough said!!

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  I Love It - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Camaro Racer - March 22 - 2:00 am

  Its good

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  Enjoying my Equinox - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Brian L. - March 21 - 5:03 pm

  Weve had the Equinox for about a month now and really enjoy it. We love the new styling both inside and out. The ride is smooth and quiet. Acceleration Is typical for a four cylinder. The interior is roomy, comfortable and the sliding rear seat gives back seat passengers plenty of leg room. If you need more storage capacity its nice to be able to slide the rear seat forward. The LTX package has plenty of extras including the power lift gate. We added the sunroof and 18” wheels and stayed under 30k.

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  Parting with my 2007 Silverado Crew - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By SilverNiffs75 - March 21 - 10:10 am

  Daily driver, never towed anything, 100% dealer service, the warranty covered all failures including a complete fuse box, three batteries, two wiring recalls, a valve job, multiple service required stability and traction control DIC warnings and rusting molding. Unfortunately the transmission let go completely at 12K over the 5/100 and the dealership and GM are nowhere to be found. Will be selling, due to possibility of more engine work ahead.

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  Roomy efficient car - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Kevin McDonald - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Lots more head room than my older smal car (Ford Aspire). Better than expected insulation from outside noise. Can carry the whole family in the car.

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  Dale Earnhardt IntimidatorMonte Carlo SS - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Ramah Crowell - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This car is an awesome ride and excellant handling. It goes where you take it.

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  Great car thats fun to drive - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By katemurawski - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This car is GREAT! There is so much room for passengers, and cargo. I love driving it, and I get so many people telling my car looks great and it is so comfortable.

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  I LOVE MY AVALANCHE - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By ROSARIO - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I LIVE OUT IN THE COUNTRY ON DIRT ROAD, AND FULL OF POT HOLES, MY AVALANCHE GIVES ME A GREAT RIDE.JUST LIKE A LIMO, AND ITS GREAT ON SNOW..

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  The "BIG" Dog - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By blainejrjeni - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This Truck has to be THEE........Best truck we ever owned!!! We have leased alot of cars and trucks but decided to Buy this, and what a GREAT choice, this truck is a reall LOOKER!!! All heads turn when we are driving the "BIG" Dog.She is Great on gas drives like a dream, but is a truck, no complaints on this Beauty!!!