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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  Good truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By Tobes - April 16 - 10:00 am

  The truck never fails to amaise me

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  New owner - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By OJH - April 16 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I recently purchased our vehicle after our 97 Ford explorer with 75,000 + miles began to show wear and tear. Although we didnt go looking for a Chevy product we were immediately attracted to its design. After a test drive were impressed with the Trail Blazer and decided to purchase it. We found it to be roomy with its wide interior and that the handling was great.

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  Best Vehicle I have ever owned - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Reed Fleming - April 15 - 1:21 am

  My Avalanche just turned 109,000 miles. Zero problems, original brakes. Oil Changes (synthetic every 15,000 miles)

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  Closet thing to a Corvette - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Mr. Hamm - April 14 - 10:30 pm

  This is my second Camaro. My first was a 1996 V6. Always wanted a Z28 every since I drove my friends 94. Dont let the age of these cars fool you, because the Z28s are still one of the meanest cars on the road. I still get the adrenaline rush everytime I floor it. If youre looking for an everyday driver, then you might want to buy an Accord or Camry. If youre looking for horsepower and speed, then this is the car for you. Glad to hear that GM will be bringing the Camaro back in 2009. Wish it was sooner.

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  Must have bought a lemon - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Davidson C. - April 13 - 3:30 pm

  The day we pick up the car the factory remote starter doesnt work , then the sales men kills the battery try to get it work, then on the third day of owning this lemon (365 km on it ) the transmission starts to act up.(it wouldnt go into gear.) And now less then a month later the starter is acting up.

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  Equinox is a fun little SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Equinox - April 13 - 12:10 pm

  I have found the Equinox to be a great transition vehicle from car to truck. It rides smoothly and there is a lot of room.

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  Long term Venture - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Rich Little - April 13 - 10:26 am

  Van now has 92k on it. Just replaced the intake manifold gasket and the water pump and thermostat. The gasket has been leaking slowly since it was new but I started getting a little coolant in the oil so I changed it. Heat/ac diverter does not work anymore, blows half defrost and half panel all the time. No big deal I guess. Other than tires brakes and filters and lube the van has run great since day one. Paint still shines and interior is holding up fine. The 3.4 motor is adequate but a little noise if you push it hard. Van handles better than any other van Ive ever driven. Id plan to buy another in 3 yrs or so.

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  Smooth rider - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Drew - April 12 - 4:26 pm

  This car is very smooth and quiet. There is no center console so you have room to spread out although the backseats arent as spacious as you might think. My first tank fillups have given me mileages of 21, 22, 19, 29, and 30 with the last two being all highway and the first 3 mixed. Overall Im very pleased with my purchase but would not buy one brand new because they lose their value very quickly compared to Honda or Toyota. Handling is not very good and the car tends to drift but that is the trade off for a super soft ride.

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  Colorado Rocks - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Richie - April 12 - 8:26 am

  The 4WD system works great! I have had the Colorado on the beach many times. The front seat is roomy and it drives great. I am surprised at the power of the I-5 engine.

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  1st Chevy - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tony - April 11 - 7:53 pm

  I change vehichles every 2-3 years. This is my first Chevy(except for a 79 4x4 Cheyenne long gone). Overall I enjoy it except for an annoying "clunking" noise in the front end. Especially annoying is the high speed stability, or lack of it. At freeway speeds it tends to be quick to get away from you. I must always stay glued to the steering wheel or I tend to find myself in the next lane. I had the dealership check it out but they heard no noises nor found anything wrong. I like the vehichle in all other ways but am very disapointed at its handling on the freeways. The one other thing that I miss is a hook to hang my dry-cleaning. I cant find one.