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 car - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Greg - February 21 - 9:56 pm

  We purchased this car new in 2000. I do not have one bad word to say about this car. It has been a great little car. No problems what so ever. It is the best value for a car I have ever bought. If all US car maker made their cars of this quality, they would not be in the mess that they now are in. Bravo to General Motors for this car.

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  I Will Miss This Car - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Warren P - February 21 - 4:10 pm

  I have had my 2001 Chevy Malibu for almost 8 years now and have never had a problem with it. Its comfortable to drive, smooth ride, great lumbar support. My wife bought a new Altima and sold it a year later because we both had backaches after driving it for more than 30 minutes. I have to get a larger car (SUV) for work purposes but I will miss this car. I think Chevy has an unjustified bad reputation compared to Honda and Toyota - this car has treated me very well for 8 years!

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  Great Car for the Money - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Janet - February 21 - 3:49 pm

  I purchased this vehicle 1 year ago and it has been great! I drove 4200 mile this winter on a road trip and got great mileage (22.5 overall), had more than enough room for all my luggage, Christmas gifts and a chair that I delivered along the way! Very comfortable ride and it fits my husband with room to spare. Minor issue with climate control system, fixed by dealer.

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  My Avalanche! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By katkim - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Love it! Dont want to drive the 02 LT Tahoe anymore!

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  Great family car - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JackD - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Much improved over previous Malibus we have owned. Quiet, reliable, responsive. Very comfortable, roomy. Perfect size

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  2500HD LS GOOD TO GO - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By CU on the highway - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I have previously owned 3 chevys and the 2500HD is leaps and bounds above the rest. Before purchasing the 2500HD, I seriously looked at and test drove the Ford and Dodge trucks. Chevrolet is in a class by itself (which is above Ford and Dodge). Nice ride, plenty of power, nice interior and the exterior looks great. Great move by chevy with the "real" information center, bose stereo system and the roomy and "very comfortable" back seat.

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  Love this car - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By kjstrouble - February 20 - 8:19 am

  I have found this a fun replacement for my 10 year old Elantra. It has great pick up and better than advertised mileage. This was a nice surprise because I bought it mainly for the price and lower insurance cost. But as a tall person, I fit better in this than in any of the comparable cars I tried out.

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  A real SUV - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By silverado92 - February 19 - 10:19 am

  Great truck! Simply put, if you can find one thats been looked after, dont hesitate. Sure they have some common issues, but what doesnt? Overall it feels safe to drive, comfortable as all heck and the power and capablitities to pull most anything. I am looking to buy another to keep as a spare before they are all gone!

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  Dumped the Pickup for the SUV - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Shineola - February 18 - 8:18 am

  Quite a difference going from a Dodge Quad Cab to the SUV, but it was time. The Equinox has everything I was looking for, power, handling, room, looks, etc. After the 1st week (7 days)of ownership, I still had gas from the full tank I left with from the dealership! The 0 to 60 in what feels like 5 seconds really comes in handy when entering the highway in Houston, its like hitting the "nitro" button! The steering is quite tight and responsive.

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  Impressive for a Chevrolet - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tarmorn - February 18 - 8:10 am

  I just came back to Chevrolet after owning two Volks (a 1999 Passat and a 2006 Jetta, previous to the Passat I owned a Cavalier Z24) and its just an amazing car. The 4 cylinder is just enough power, the ride is smooth but firm, very close to a Volks. It is incredibly quiet in the car, the seats are very comfortable and look great with the suede and leather. Great job GM!