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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  3 weeks - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By 6111 - August 26 - 1:40 am

  What a great car, mine is an LT1 with the auto 2.4. So far 25 MPG city 32 HWY. This thing simply rides like a large car, smooth and quiet. I took a PT for a test drive and its not in the same class as the HHR. Mine cost $17600 MSRP was $19500, for this price its a super car. Dont pay more than $18500 for an HHR if you do you got ripped off. The 3 dealers I went to in Omaha all dropped the MSRP by at least $1500. Sure I had to order it, but it only took 7 weeks. IMHO the $21000-$24000 HHRs are a huge waste of money.

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  Great Truck! - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By DJ - August 24 - 2:33 pm

  I purchased an 05 4x4, extended cab, WT, in April. I think its a great truck. I was impressed by the standard features (e.g. dual climate control, 4 wheel ABS, etc..) It rides great on the highway...I drove it from NY to the Rocky Mountains and was never uncomforable at all...thats a lot of driving. The engine is impressive (about 300hp). Its got plenty of power and has been getting decent gas mileage (for a truck).

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  If you want better MPG, drive a compact! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Hailey V - August 24 - 1:33 pm

  This is a great little SUV. But it is just that, an SUV. If you want 30 MPG buy a compact. I downsized from a Ford V- 10 pick-up so obviously I am thrilled with the gas mileage. Other than one minor flaw, I love this SUV. Looked at the Pacifica and am glad I chose the Equinox.

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  Good at first...! - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Matt - August 23 - 11:50 pm

  I first bought the car and was excited because not too many of them were around. It had a few problems at first covered under my warranty, fuel filter leaked, needed a rear strut. It shifted great at first and now at around 125000 its really rough. Things started to go wrong after the 120000 mile mark. Little things at first, coolant temperature sensor, some of the plastic paneling in the car. Windshield wipers The main problem is the tranny which is very common around 120000 k. Besides that the car is powerful for being a large sedan. 0-60 in about 8 seconds. You can by-pass the governor as well...as soon as you reach the governor quickly put it in neutral and back in to gear, there ya go!

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  Best of 60 vehicles I have owned - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Lonnie - August 23 - 8:30 pm

  This is my favorite vehicle to date of ownership out of the past 59 vehicles. The ride is unbeatable for a truck. Tempted by Toyota but their rtuck had cheesy interior and an ugly front end. The new Silverado design is perfect and to drive one will make you an owner. I added Flowmaster exhaust and it opened the 6.0 MAX engine up and let it breath. Wow, the 4X4 system really hooks up when climbing steep rock formations and getting through the mud. Yes, I am not a concrete cowboy, I take my $46,000 truck off road.

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  Most solid vehicle I have owned - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By j alexander - August 23 - 11:23 am

  This has been almost trouble free. The one area of trouble was taken care of by GM with an extended warrenty of 200,000 miles on the injectors. Getting an overall mileage of 17.5mpg, with some tanks going into the 20 + when driving all e-way, even at a steady 75+ MPH. The diesel pulling power is great. I towed 18,000 lbs from Sarasota Fl. to Phila. Pa. and averaged 12.2 mpg.

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  LOVE my 2002 Vette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Ken Deken - August 23 - 10:00 am

  I rented one in Vegas. Needed a new car with the kids gone and looked at BMWs and Infinitis. Not that much different than the sedan I already had. Now the Corvette, thats different! Makes driving an experience every day! Made in USA, a world-class value!

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  NEW Z71 - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By msr - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Less than 1,000 miles on a new Z71, and I am really happy with it so far. It drives like a sedan, with the same comfort. I had a Durango and it handled like a truck. The Chevy is 100 times better in that department.

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  A-blazin Grace - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By LDS Familyman - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Always dreamed of the Tahoe-like vehicle,especially with four growing kids. It is nice alternative to the expensive,gas guzzling family of SUVs. Looks great,came with a lot of standards, i.e. tow hitch, full size spare tire,CD&Cassette player.Love the sound system features,the front/rear air controls, auto rear windows,easy folding seats and more importantly, roomy rear seating that "real size" adults can appreciate when going out with friends without feeling cramped.The DVD player is ‘a must’ for long trips with the kids, but does get in the way for rear viewing.Sharp looking,fun driving, graceful, practical.Perfect for a family who has outgrown the van.

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  2006 Silverado Z71 - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Denio - August 23 - 6:06 am

  No problems. Its smooth and quiet for a four wheel drive big truck. MPG has averaged 16.5 so far around town, not bad.