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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  Love my Impala - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By JaniceB - April 23 - 11:28 am

  Ive been very happy with my Impala. I dont think you can get a smoother ride from a front wheel drive car. Its very spacious, love the interior and trunk room. Its sharp looking and fun to drive. I bought mine off a corporate lease return, it had 72k on it when I bought it at only 3 years old. It now has 90k on it and still runs, looks and drives like new. Only problem I had was had to replace a wheel speed sensor at around 88k ($400). No other problems. Has been very dependable. A very nice, roomy, family car.

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  I love my first truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Brewdog2001 - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I bought my first truck after having driven cars all my life, and its the best thing I have ever done. This truck drives more like a car than any truck I have ever been in. The gas milage is good for a truck, considering I am used to a 4 cylinder. But the power, the smoothness of the ride, and the overall styling of the truck make an eye catching upgrade to your day to day driving.

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  Magnificent Malibu Maxx - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By anna peterson - April 23 - 9:43 am

  Love it! Great features, great looks, great price. A really functionally wonderful car. All you could want, and it gives 30 mpg on the highway. The quality is outstanding.

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  Never A Doubt About My Purchase! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Elisa81 - April 23 - 8:06 am

  I purchased my Cardinal Red 2LT 4cyl FWD NOX with sunroof, jet black leather & auto lift gate on October 2nd. The car is beautiful (LOVE the ambient lighting) and handles just as I had expected. The stack buttons were a little overwhelming initially, but now are very easy to use. I am glad I went with the 2LT instead of the 1LT as the fog lights, leather, premium stereo & auto climate control are worth the extra $ to me. The 4cyl has plenty of power on the interstate and Im loving the 27 mpg while driving around town in Kansas City. Do not overlook the Equinox because its a Chevy. Even the most skeptical will be very surprised with what they find in the new 2010 NOX!

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  Love this truck! - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By GLG3 - April 23 - 12:03 am

  I am very impressed with not only the look of this truck, but the way it performs. Ive only had it a few weeks and had many compliments on it. This could be the best truck purchase I have ever made.

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  Love it - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Taylor - April 22 - 11:20 pm

  I bought the truck in 2000 with 78000. This Tahoe is a rare one with the 6.5L diesel. Fuel mileage is great for this size truck (17 city, 20 Hwy), with a 3:43 rear, compared to a 1996 gas Tahoe I owned. The looks are great, and I still love this truck. I had a fuel injector replaced under warranty at 98,000, and other at 199,750. I now have 200,250 miles on the truck. besides general maintenance, I have had the alternator rebuilt, and replaced the window wiper motor. This truck has been so much fun at towing, and off road. I hope this truck last another 10 years.

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  A quality car that is worth the $$ - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By ChargerLT21 - April 22 - 10:25 pm

  I love this car. It is very reliable and it sounds great too. I love cruising with the sunroof open, and the heated leather seats are great in the winter months. As far as gas goes, it is respectable. A quality car all around. It looks good from the outside as well.

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  Fun - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By bobs card house - April 22 - 7:05 pm

  14 months 18000 Miles. LT2 w/2.4L engine. Most fun Ive had in 35 years. Demoed the 2.2 bought the 2.4 engine. Stronger engine, fatter tires, tighter suspension made it a completely different vehicle. It loves to be driven. Average economy about 27, trips yield 35. Hard plastic door panels make it easy to knock WI snow off shoes. Installed new "studless snow tires" all around and winter traction and handling were nearly as good as summer time. Im 62" and I cant sit in ANY car with a sunroof.

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  Great little Chevrolet - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Yury - April 22 - 6:59 pm

  My first US car, others were imports. I bought it used with 45k on it. I am pleasantly surprised, this car runs very smoothly, acceleration is excellent, confident braking steering is easy, practical interior, only a few squeaks. Spacious trunk, LT trim offers lots of things that make you feel like you are in more expensive car. Had two visits to dealership to fix minor issues left by previous owner. He even did not bother with scheduled maintenance. Good winter tires and careful driving will take you safely through Canadian winter. All in all, Cobalt has personality that is missing in many similar Japanese cars. Nice, solid, fun car with lots of practicality in it.

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  Very Fun Car - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By TomcatMF - April 22 - 1:12 pm

  This car is a blast to drive. The acceleration is tremendous, and I love the beefy exhaust note. The stock brakes were a little wanting so I upgraded to a Baer 6 piston system with bigger rotors. The engine is totally bullet proof, but just about everything else on the car has had to be fixed after 141,000 miles (Radiator, water pump, Rear axle, clutch, brakes, master cylinder) But despite all of that, I still love this car