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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  2001 Monte - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By SD Beckwith - December 28 - 11:50 am

  I have enjoyed this car for 6 years and would buy another. The gas milelage was 22 in town and 28 mpg on the road. I had to replace the radiator fan unit this past year. My air conditioner will need to be replaced next year.

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  Super vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By noopdog - December 28 - 9:24 am

  Love my Tahoe!! I pull a 20 boat occasionally, and its a breeze! Im a big guy (64") and I love the roominess. Its also a very comfortable ride, great amenities (all power seats, windows, etc., etc.), pretty good sound system, push-button 4WD. Ive garaged it and otherwise tried to maintain it well w/regular service. It has been extremely dependable and very utilitarian (hey, its a sport "utility" vehicle, right)? If you are in the market for a used but dependable, well-performing, roomy SUV (understanding you wont get Prius mileage, to say the least) and can find one well-maintained, go for it!!

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  HHR - Great vehicle - Fun to Drive - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Charlie - December 28 - 7:06 am

  Very enjoyable to drive. Handles exceptionally well. Gets lots of looks and comments. People will pull up and talk with you and ask how you like the vehicle. Some have asked for a ride because they are unable to see the vehicle at the dealership due to availablity. Its just a lot of fun to drive.

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  White Baby Lex - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Stel - December 28 - 6:46 am

  I was hesitant to get the new HHR, after driving a Kia Sorento for 2 years while sitting higher with better view. The 4 cylinder did worry me a little. No worries anymore as the HHR has great pick up and is really peppy, very cool and fun to drive, the White 2 LT model has OnStar,XM radio, sunroof, cashmere leather, high polished wheels, heated seats,rear spoiler and great sounding pioneer system with 6 disc CD. I love this car after our first trip got 27 MPG while using AC and driving 75 MPH (still less than 500 miles so its not broken in yet). You cant go wrong with this car and the features you get. I highly recommend the Chevy HHR

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  Avalanche Coninues to be the best! - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By chevyforever - December 28 - 4:33 am

  Have had my Avalanche for almost 10 months now and I cannot imagine my life without it! I test drove toyota, honda, dodge, and my friend drives a 2004 f150 that has had 6 transmission replacements and 2 overdrive/ transfer cases replaced in 3 months of owning it. I have to say, I have had zero problems with this truck, other than the dealership not tightening my oil filter on good enough... I have the sun & sound package that has the bose sys and the sunroof. We go for a 3 hour drive to the beach we put every window down, the roof open, the back window out and the bose sys playin ur fav song it feels like a sports car and u just wanna step on the gas! Love this truck!!!

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  LUV My Vette - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By orange09vette - December 27 - 11:04 am

  Bought my Vette new in August 09. Drove it in 09 National Corvette Caravan to break-it-in. WONDERFUL experience. No problems with the Vette. Have had her almost five months now. Her acceleration is truly breath taking. Handling/maneuvering is remarkable. Styling turns heads. Vettes are unmistakable on the road when you see one. Waited most of my life to have one. Finally my dream comes true. These (C6 generation as well as C5s) are extremely well built. They are definitely keepers. I plan to keep mine and allow it to grow old right alongside me (now 49). Love my Vette. Its my pride and joy. Exhilaration does not adequately describe it.

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  Happy, So far. - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By JC LS SPORT - December 27 - 10:00 am

  I purchased an 02 LS Sport with a 5- speed in May and havent had to take it to the shop yet. The new ecotec engine pulls pretty good for a 4 banger in 1st and 2nd gear, but after that it loses its pep. I wouldnt recommend racing any si civics unless youre only going to race to 50mph. I did find the paint job to be quite poor. I can feel some rough spots where it feels like they didnt spray enough clearcoat. Other than that, the car has been good so far. Oh yeah and the rear drum brakes are just ridiculous. I thought i was buying a sport coupe?

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  2002 Camaro Convertible - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By C. Brady - December 27 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car, Fun to drive. The car gets a lot of attention on the road. Very solid convertible mechanisms, quick up and down unlike some overpriced cars available.

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  YEAH - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By hehe - December 27 - 10:00 am

  Great ride and other cool stuff. Better than a truck better than a SUV.

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  HD-2500 - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Cat Daddy - December 27 - 10:00 am

  The 2002 Chevrolet HD 2500 is pure pleaseure to drive! I love the raw power it delivers from the 6.0 engine. The interior is roomy,and the layout of the gauges and radio/ CD player is very functional.The interior does not have a inexpensive look as some reviewers state.The paint is very nice, with no orangepeel as with some vehicles. I really like the body style with the raised lines in the hood of the HDs, and the honeycomb grill.The trucks stance is also a plus, riding high above the rest of the traffic on attractive polished aluminum wheels. I have no criticism for the Chevrolet line of trucks.