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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  05 LS Malibu - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By 2005 LS Malibu - May 31 - 10:16 am

  Very good performance, ride quality, and stand alone styling. Excellent for family in town and great on the highway. Well thought out design and features like the fold down passenger seat are very useful.Comfortable seats on long trips. Only driven 5000km. Very happy with purchase. Excellent value for the dollar compared to the overpriced imports. Only waited four weeks for factory order car to arrive, excellent.

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  2014 Equinox ls - 2014 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Frank - May 31 - 9:34 am

  Good basic small SUV.

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  Great Truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By Kweeni - May 30 - 1:41 pm

  Driving this truck has been a great experience, have only replaced a high been bulb in headlight, tires once, it has 70,000 miles. I change the oil every 3 months. Air is cold in 120 summers. The truck has great power when accelerated this has helped avoid serious accidents. I have been very happy with its performance and safety. The only thing is the gas mileage isnt as good, probably because of the 4x4 capability and crew cab feature. The spare tire underneath the bed is not accessible for me and the backseat is very uncomfortable in the middle (is raised in the middle) when 3 ppl have to sit in back. All in all, truck is a good buy and should be contd to be manufactured in my opinion.

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  best truck ive had - 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Hugh - May 30 - 1:55 am

  I traded in my 2006 Dodge ram 1500 crew cab, and this is a lot better than the Dodge the design interior and exterior is great, everything fits together great, the power on the 5.3l is great, I usually tow between 5000-7000 pounds, and I can tow that easily in this truck, love the mid gate for when I take out my atv, the interior looks and feels better than my wifes Mercedes e-class, this has to be the best truck Ive ever had

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  Cheyenne II - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By dastankos - May 29 - 2:27 pm

  I bought my 04 Dale Jr. Edition used with 53k on it. I am so impressed with this car. I didnt think I would have the power out of the SC 3.8l that I do. My first drive in her and all I could say was "WOW!" The looks I get in this car and all the little "Asian Rice" that tries to race me is great. This car holds its own so well and I have big plans for her. I am extremely impressed and I couldnt imagine a better car for the money. Amzing fuel economy, power and styling. Im very much in love with my car and recomend it to anyone looking for a a great ballance of cost, cost of ownership and power. Thank you Chevrolet for giving me one hell of a ride!

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  What got me into loving American Cars - 2004 Chevrolet Express
  By JW - May 29 - 12:27 pm

  I am (was) a die-hard Honda fan - I believed Honda has the most reliable and fuel efficient vehicles in US. In my 20 years of driving life, have purchased 9 new Honda & Acura cars, from Accord to Civic to CRV to Pilot to Odyssey. But since owning a Chevy Express 2500 (Explorer conversion w/ high top roof) I am not sure if Honda really is the best. Id have to admit, when it comes to a big car, GM still is the best. (little 30mpg civic isnt for everyone you know - some of us have no other option) Express gets 16-17 MPG @ 75MPH, even when its overloaded with 7 adults and tons of luggage. Odyssey gets 20MPG if I did the same, and there will barely be any room left to breathe.

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  Awesome C6 - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jerry Drisaldi - May 29 - 11:06 am

  Ive been a Corvette fan for years. I bought my first convertible in 2002. The C5 was a great car, but with issues. GM has done a fantastic job cleaning up the issues: fit and finish, interior design and quality, technology are all vastly improved. I was concerned about the decision to shortten the car by 5 inches and narrow it by 1 inche, but it was the right decision. Car car "feels" beeter now as a result. The exeterior design was also vastly improved: the car looks great. I think its the best value for a performance sports car, literally, in the world.

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  MY 2003 MONTE CARLO SS - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By SPENCER - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY MONTE CARLO SS, MY CAR BEFORE IT WAS AN 01 CAMARO SS, BUT IM VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE POWER MY MONTE CARLO HAS EVEN THOUGH ITS A V6. MINE IS BLACK ON BLACK, AND I HAD THE WINDOWS TINTED WHICH MADE IT LOOK AWESOME.I HAVE PUT 18 INCH CHROME RIMS ON IT AND A CATBACK FLOWMASTER EXHAUST SYSTEM ALSO. I HAVE TO ADMIT THOUGH THAT IT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE PARTS FOR MY CAR, BUT OTHER THEN THAT I GIVE IT AN A+

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  Just got my "BU" Love it - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Becky L - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Like my new Malibu.

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  My Monte - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By John Damond - May 29 - 2:00 am

  This car gives you a sports car feel with comfort and luxury. Great vehicle at its price range.