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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  Better than I thought when I bought it - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By soupysales - December 23 - 7:54 am

  I have an LT package XFE (5M), so Ive got the electric windows and the center armrest. The car is quiet, handling is solid as a rock even at high speeds, and the hard seats are comfortable on long trips. Trunk room is spacious, but the opening is small. The 2.2 will scoot if you wind it up, which you can do with the manual transmission. This is a great car, lots of fun to drive, plenty of front seat room, and great mileage. Under the skin, the Cobalt is an Opel Astra, so if you like the personality of German cars, youll like this one. For the price that Chevy sells them for, its a bargain.

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  What a ride - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 2vetter - December 22 - 9:40 pm

  This is my 2nd Vette and this lady is not only good looking but fast & fun to drive. I also have a 99 and love the change in headlights on this one. The paddle shift provides a real sporty feel to an already sporty car. After siting in one at a car show this year, I am looking forward to spring when I can really enjoy the removable top and the awesome Bose sound system. I had a creaking noise when first purchsed but thanks to a service bulletin it was due to unlubricated roof panel latches. The dealer took care of it and I am a very satisfied driver. This car has a noticeable power increase vs my 99 and the cyber grey was a fantastic choice

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  Who say GM cant build a nice car? - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ryan - December 22 - 2:50 pm

  This car has been problem free for the last 22 months I have owned it. For the price I think there is no better riding small to mid-sized SUV on the market. I’ve had gas mileage up to 26 on a mixed driving. Quiet and smooth ride. The AWD works well on snow and ice. It is well worth the 28k I paid. Only complaint is no overhead grab bars. For those who think GM can’t make a car, please go out and drive one.

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  Kansas 08 Avalanche LT - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By dcurtis48 - December 22 - 10:13 am

  Can honestly say this is most comfortable truck I have ever driven. I have only ever owned Dodge and cross shopped this with the new crew-cab Ram. The Avalanche drives as well as the Ram even with its new coil rear suspension. The Avalanche interior is very sophisticated - more SUV than truck.

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  Love My New Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Timothy - December 22 - 6:00 am

  I am in love with this truck. I have a 2007 Range Rover that I drove everyday and I wanted another truck to drive besides my Range. I was going to get the Nissan Armada but when I passed by the Chevrolet place on my way to get the Armada I saw my gray Tahoe and I had to go look at it and drive it. Lets just say I never made it to the Nissan dealer to get the Armada.

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  Absolute best - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By CP - December 21 - 1:50 pm

  I own a 2008 LTZ and absolutely love it! It drives extremely smooth. I have had little to no maintenance issues. The feautres are absolutely great. It is everything I would want in an SUV but also in a truck.

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  Good care for me - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By deucey - December 21 - 12:46 pm

  I am in the U.S Army and have to run back and forth between places a lot of the time. The MPG is a major plus. I love the Malibu and have not had any problems with it at all since I have bought it.

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  Cobalt - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Sarge - December 21 - 7:01 am

  I purchased the 2008 Cobalt because fuel at the time of purchase was at the all time high. So far I do like the vehicle, but it is terrible in snow and ice but most vehicles this size probably are. I have experienced premature wear on the drivers seat at 5000 miles and 6 months service.

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  new lelel of comfort - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
  By bob - December 20 - 7:36 pm

  We traded in our 1 year old 2009 Malibu LS for a 2009 Malibu Hybrid 4 months ago. After rebates we spent $3k and the government will be giving us $1550 back. What a steal. We love the car and our salesman. It gets about 37 mpg on a trip or about 6 mpg, on average better than our non hybrid Malibu did. This car has to be the most underrated and thus biggest bargain out there. They are giving them away. We did not loose 20% as we drove it off the show room floor. The Kelly "trade in" for the Hybrid is more than we paid for both Malibus combined. We didnt fully appreciate the car until we had driven it for a few months. We love the way it slows you down without touching the brakes.

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  Best Car Ever - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Kenny - December 20 - 7:20 pm

  I love my Cobalt. I have never driven a car that drives so smooth. It is such a fun drive and was the car that stood out from all of the rest that I drove! I love it! I would highly recommend that you consider a Cobalt for your next car!