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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  Nice upgrade! - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By sthrnbeltrasnplant - December 9 - 2:00 am

  Great car, replaced 2000 Malibu. Handles well and has great gas milage. I LOVE the heavier vehicle due to ice and snow on the roads. I am able to go and not worry if I will be slipping and sliding. I have been very pleased. City Motor Company is a wonderful place to but from, this is our 3rd vehicle from there.

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  awesome machine - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By 1pp - December 9 - 2:00 am

  the chey tahoe z71 is in a class of it own, it is realiably, powerful , handles like a sports car. with a very roomie interior with great amenidies

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  The Silverado has everything plus more!! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Silverado for life - December 9 - 2:00 am

  This truck is awesome. My first truck Ive ever had and it has been everything plus more than i have expected. The power that the engine gives off is more than enough to get my everyday tasks done. The storage space inside and in the bed of the truck is phenomenal. The way everything is set up on the dashboard is easy and convenient to use. I dont think you can make a better truck!

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  I like it better than our CRV. - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Boarpower - December 7 - 8:03 pm

  We love the new 2010 design. Great features for a smaller SUV. We love all the options you get for your money. We had a 2004 CRV and had NO problems with it in 100,000 miles, but this feels like a Caddy compared to the Honda.

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  My Favorite Car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By pinqkandi - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I just recently purchased a 2002 Impala LS. I love the car - its my favorite car Ive ever had. Its comfortable, good looking, and very adequetly powered. Ive had no problems what so ever. One of the things I love most is the integrated OnStar system - its so powerful. You can check your email with the rearview mirror! Many more things are spectacular about this car. In short: youll love it.

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  Love my truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By I fly RC - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I have had this truck for 10 years now, never a problem with it. I haul my tools around, drywall, plywood, to the top of the bed, firewood to the top of the cab, pulled a bobcat, its a 6.0 gas and its always ready for more. All I do it maintain it and it never leaves me stranded. Ill buy another one when its time.

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  Good ol truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By garlinghouse - December 5 - 11:06 am

  Purchased truck from family member, excellent condition at 40k miles. Has the infamous clunk in steering and clunk in transmission. But the ride quality, comfort and awesome 4wd more than makes up for annoying clunks. Z71 package really helped when I ran over a log in the road, the Z71 skid plates protected my trans and oil pan. The log only damaged exhaust ypipe,rear shock and both skid plates. Not bad considering the damage could have been worse without the Z71 package skid plates. No domestic truck is perfect but neither are humans! So in this case the good qualities definitely out weigh the bad. Highly recommended.

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  Great Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By airborne13f - December 5 - 5:55 am

  The truck has a lot of torque and gets pretty decent gas mileage. I put a K&N cold air intake and performance catback and it increased the power and fuel economy even more. I am in the military and use my truck to go home on leave. Gets me there without spending to much on gas. I love the style of it, looks sporty. The interior is roomy for passengers or cargo. It hauls my fourwheeler almost like its not there.

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  A Knock Out Car - But - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By RonD - December 5 - 5:03 am

  I love this cars appearance and performance. But, I have had a problem with grinding disc brakes since the day I purchased it (3 yrs). Dealer and a second party both say there is no problem with the brakes just rust from rain. It is most distracting on such a great looking and otherwise great performing car. Surprised that no other review mentioned this issue.

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  Excellent car for low payment - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By mutedexposure - December 4 - 11:16 am

  I bought this car knowing I could not afford the bigger price tag of the big SUVs plus I love the old school look GM is bringing back. It is very roomy inside even if it doesnt look like it would be. The chrome package makes everything stand out and I highly recommend getting it. I did upgrade to a 2.4 on the engine so I cant say if the smaller engine is good but the 2.4 is excellent. There are times it gets sluggish but only when I am trying to hotrod myself into a spot on a busy road. This car rides smooth. The only issue I have had with it is that occasionally the key gets stuck in the ignition and I have to shift the gear back and forth to get it to release. Cup holder is in bad spot also.