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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  Great Family Car - 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Pam Rose - March 11 - 7:36 pm

  This is the nicest family car we have ever owned. Once long trip since we bought it. Comfortable, quiet, and 19 to 20 miles per gallon using cruise control and driving in a sane manner. The fuel management system really helps with the gas. Runs on Regular. Easy to use controls. Memory seats. Dual zone heating and cooling. Both I and my husband are comfortable.

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  Wow - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By logandiagnostic - March 11 - 7:30 pm

  With the current auto market conditions, we were able to buy a LT2 FWD for $8k under sticker. We got heated leather, split rear seats, XM, rear camera, power liftgate, remote start, etc. Cyber Gray. $37k crossover for $29k!

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  A Great Investment - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Courtney Bradshaw - March 11 - 1:16 pm

  This is my first SUV to own, and I will never drive anything else! The Equinox has great room, and feels like you are driving a car. Not to meantion the motor is very quiet.

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  I love this car! - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By captfluffster - March 11 - 10:00 am

  LS level has the right balance between sportiness and luxury. A punchy engine and decent handling make this a fun to drive car. Yet on road trips, you can set the cruise control, stretch out, crank up the 200w amplified audio system, and get to your destination without feeling worn out. The presence of just a hint of engine rumble on strong accelerations, comfortable ride, burl dash and door trim, sporty but comfortable bucket seats, and a corvette styled rear end with spoiler add to the dichotomy between luxury and sportiness in this model.

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  Lucky Me!!! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By girlcrew5 - March 11 - 10:00 am

  We bought our Trailblazer ext after owning a GMC minivan for 6 years. We have 4 very active daughters so we were needing plenty of room. I didnt really want that "soccer mom" look anymore. I fell in love with this sporty looking SUV!! It handles beautifully! I usually put an average of 30,000 miles on a vehicle annually. So far in 10,000 miles it has lived up to its reputation! We highly recommend it to everyone.

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  This is the nicest car I have ever owned - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By dizz - March 11 - 5:23 am

  Great on gas, quiet, great looking, handles like a dream. Very nice car. Looks like a BMW.

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  Lots of Fun for Little Money - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Susan - March 11 - 1:03 am

  I didnt set out to buy the HHR but when I saw everything it offered Id be foolish not to! My Equinox lease was up and wanted better fuel economy and lower payments.I have been averaging 24 MPG. With gas at over 3.45/gal this is awesome. Purchase price was low -allowed me to buy it keeping payments in line with my lease. Rides smoother than the Equinox and cargo space is the same or even more.I really love the manueverability - it has a much bigger turning radius compared to the Equinox - I just zip in and out of places. I knew pick up would be slower but it makes me drive safer. It does get a lot of looks - either you love it or hate it. I like different anyway so its right up my alley

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  I Love my HHR! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By srlmort - March 10 - 10:46 pm

  This is the first car Ive ever purchased! I love it! I am such an HHR lover I count the others that I see on the street. The gas mileage is excellent.(6 tanks 1907 miles) He is pretty quiet, drives well on the highway and the black on black look is gorgeous! I am a very satisfied with Gomez.

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  NIce van with plenty of power - 2008 Chevrolet Uplander
  By duraflex - March 10 - 9:39 am

  We loved our 9 year old Venture but had to replace it. The Uplander LS lacks some of the comfort features we took for granted but its a good follow-on. Missing are the swing out electric powered windows at the far rear as well as a front seat storage drawer and other storage spaces the Venture had. All the seats are not as wide or plush as the Venture but theyre not bad. On the highway, its quieter than the Venture and ours gets about 26 MPG. Around town, MPG is about the same. Handling is excellent and steering isnt overly sensitive and unforgiving like some SUVs Ive driven. Van is great looking and a pleasure to drive.

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  Chevy Traverse LS - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By eric_okc - March 9 - 12:36 pm

  This is a new company vehicle for me and I put on a lot of miles while driving for work. This is a solid built vehicle with a smooth and strong engine. It provides good acceleration from a standstill or passing on a highway. It has a great amount of cargo space and it very easy to fold down the 2nd and 3rd row seats. The interior design is very refined with clean lines and symmetry. The feel and quality of the plastics and leather seem of higher quality than previous Chevys. The Traverse has a commanding presence its height gives you a good view of your surroundings.