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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  2ss Camaro auto - 2017 Chevrolet Camaro
  By dan witowski - March 9 - 9:20 am

  Great economy for a muscle car with the cylinder deactivation. Can get 34 mpg at 77 mph when it switches to V4

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  I love my new Impala! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Diane - March 8 - 10:43 pm

  This car handles very well, is comfortable to drive, gets great gas mileage (30 highway), and looks sharp. We own the LT2 in Glacier Blue Metallic w/sunroof, flip & fold seats, XM radio. You cant go wrong for the price.

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  Great Ride - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ACG61 - March 6 - 4:43 pm

  Its noisy. Its bumpy. Its a helluva ride! And, yes, it is true: the Corvette mystique is alive and kickin in the 2005 model! My maiden voyage from Los Angeles to Las Vegas was memorable(..no tickets even!)

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  Bad n Black - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Loanshrk777 - March 6 - 4:23 pm

  I love this truck It looks great and runs great. Everytime I step on the gas it brings a smile to my face. Heated seats are great in Chicago winters and the traction control also works well in the snow. It looks like a much more expensive than what it cost. I am not ashamed to drive my boss around in this baby! I was going to buy a fullsize Chevy and I am happy I didnt. I get better gas mileage and its faster 0-60 than the big truck.

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  Brake Woes and other defects - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Lisa - March 6 - 4:16 am

  First week problems with the brakes, noisy, spongy. Dealership didnt take the wheels off to look. 3 trips later finally heard the noise, next trip replaced the drums. Wheel alignment out on all 4 wheels. After fixing still pulls to the left. Found out there was a recall on brakes and a transmission problem. Was told to bring it in to fix the trans problem and they would look at the alignment again. When the trans problem was fixed - asked about the alignment. Was told we were making things up and escorted out of the building. Contacted gm in Detroit who sound interested but dont hold out much hope they will do anything. Wont buy another gm product again.

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  Good Truck - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mike - March 5 - 9:13 pm

  Ive had the truck a while now. Happy to report everything works well, even with 82,000 on the odometer. No broken parts, squeaks, or rattles in the interior. Ride is good, and four wheel system on Z-71 is nice. The only problem Ive had is a squeak in the rear end on accelearation. Ive had it looked at, and it appears to be nothing. Expect marginal mileage from the Z-71. All in all, it is a very good truck, and the last attractive front-end series from GM(as opposed to the new cat eye look).

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  Buy American - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Rob - March 5 - 5:36 pm

  This car is a dream to drive. Though we have only had it for a few weeks, we already love this car. Much better equipped than any other in its class for the money. Would buy again.

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  Happy Birthday, Baby - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By medinamalibu - March 5 - 9:35 am

  My Maxx just turned six years old with 61k on the dial. I feel like Im spoiling it with new tires so soon after replacing the battery, front brake rotors, and front ball joints. The DIC threw a "Power Steering" message the day the battery lost its cranking power, but not since. At five years, the drivers seat developed an amazing squeak, so I learned how to remove the seat and grease the mounts. I deemed one rear skylight shade a loss after a $130+ estimate for replacement, which I indirectly referenced in my three-year update. The Maxx is comfortable and maneuverable, and hasnt given me much of any trouble outside of wear items. Some of them are annoying, and some are rather expensive.

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  Great Expectations - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Delbert Whetstone - March 5 - 9:20 am

  I finally found the Equinox at the price and equiped the way I wanted. It took about two months to consumate the deal.The Equinox was worth the wait, it suits my needs completely. I wanted a smaller vehicle ,yet with comfort, as IM 63, it has plenty of rooom and a great ride. Ite fun to drive, very comfortable and responsive. The styling is a plus, makes you feel like your driving a futuristic SUV.My Granddaughter has her eye on it and said she would like to have it for her school car ,in about 4 years.I will pass it on to her because it has exceptionally good saftey features. Head curtians and side and frontal Air Bags.Plus All Wheel Drive.Also On Star,great security option.

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  Nice Job GM - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mechilmatt - March 5 - 5:33 am

  Fun car to drive. No complaints other than a very minor problem with the window stripping and a faulty gas cap.