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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  Most Uncomfortable - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mark of MS - December 13 - 2:16 pm

  I loved everything about this truck, except the seat gives the most uncomfortable ride of any vehicle Ive ever owned or ridden in. I could never get comfortable in the drivers seat, not even on short trips. I couldnt stand to drive the truck anymore so traded it in. I did get an awesome trade on it (300 over Blue Book), so thats certainly a plus. I was very disappointed in the comfort level of this truck. It drives awesome, its quiet, and I never had one problem with it. If only the seat was even somewhat comfortable I would have kept it for much, much longer.

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  Silverado SS - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Maverikx99 - December 12 - 10:30 pm

  The truck is definitely fun to drive and has lots of power. Drawbacks are terrible gas mileage (and premium) and noises from the AWD caused by bad assembly of the carrier.

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  Chevy Colorado, a decent truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By jms - December 12 - 4:26 pm

  After a bad start my Chevy Colorado has proven to be a decent truck. Getting 18 mpg. My bad start had me back at the dealer 4 times to fix a noisy dash. After switching to another dealer they found the hood was the culprit all along. My main complaint is the sound of this engine. It sounds like a Volvo or Audi. Also the gas pedal is too close to the brake pedal. I love the looks of the exterior, but the interior is very basic. It does feel kind of cheap overall. Great rebates and additional dealer discounts made me go with the Chevy instead of the new Toyota or Nissan. I do wish it was a little closer to the other midsize trucks in size, although that does make it easier to fit in the average size garage.

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  Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By spinnell - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I have had a wonderful experience with this car. Excellent mileage, gets 29.9 on HWY, lots of power, and the comfort is beyond belief. Was never a fan of big cars but the comfort is well worth it. A lot of bang at a good price.

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  Love my MC!! - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By callen - December 12 - 10:00 am

  The styling on this car is irresistable. Extremely roomy, comfortable, fun to drive and looks GREAT! Have not had a single problem with the car; couldnt be more reliable. Im planning on selling my 00 LS and upgrading to another MC, the SS this time though. GM does it again!!

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  silverado review - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Iliad - December 12 - 10:00 am

  An excellent truck. No mechanical or finish flaws, has given excellent service. Often get 20+ mpg on the highway, overall mpg is 17.2 for 78000 miles.

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  Awesome! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Erv - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I had $30+K to spend on the Japanese SUVs look all to foo foo and fancy. I wanted an SUV not a glorified minivan like the Acuras and Hondas...I looked at the ford, but for some reason its shape didnt catch me. I liked the GM SUVs (my dad has a 2002 Envoy). With the power it has and the features it comes with, it has what the fake SUVs have also and then some in regards to power. Plus it rides on a true SUV platform not a retorfitted minivan platform. On the downside, fit nad finish is still subpar. Overall, I have owned in for a few weeks now, and I love it.

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  GM hit a homer! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By john - December 12 - 12:53 am

  This car is certainly not a race car, but I didnt want that anyway!Its fun to drive, has a very comfy ride, looks nice, and seems to be built very well. I have had many cars domestic and foreign. I would have to say this car is as nice and built as well as any foreign car. Very happy

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  Als SS - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By big als ss - December 11 - 10:23 pm

  This is the 1 GM car I have bought in over 15 years as I have alway bought a German built auto. I find that this MC SS is a great value but the are area that GM cheap out on and that is in the interior. Tthey could use a lesion from Audi or VW how to make a very nice interior and keep cost down. The performance of the 5.3 liter v8 is outstanding as well as the comfort of the car. Gas mileage is so so about 18.5 20 mpg so far. I have spent time in a 1992 Corvette and have gotten over 29 mpg with it so I know GM can make this happen. This is a fun car to drive and be seen in.

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  A Great Value - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ramond Chiaramonte - December 11 - 4:03 pm

  I am really impressed with this car. I think it provides a very classy car at a great price. It is extremely quiet and the bose stereo system is awesome. I love the styling especially the rear and side. I think it is conservative, but really good looking in a way that is not trendy in the way some cars are. It will remain in style for a long time. It has excellent trunk space and a very usable large trunk. I also really like the way the back seat folds. Anyone I have driven with in the car has been very impressed. I think that the car will be a big seller. I owned a 2003 Impala that I also liked, but this new Impala is far superior in every was. I would recommend it to anyone.