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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  My sleeper - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jeff McKnight - January 4 - 11:31 am

  I bought the Camaro Z28 when i was 19 and I unfortunately had to use it as my primary car for a year. Word of advice.... stay away from snow. Fun awsome car! Ihave gone through a ot of tires....and they are not cheap. I have a Sparco suspension which helps on the streets... other than looking fast, it is fast... for the price and power you get this is my first sports car and I will keep it til I die. May be expensive but well worth it.. Now that I am 23 i appreicate it more and take a lot better care of it. Havent had to repair but just a few items.... recently the fuel pump went out on it and come to find out the rear end must come off to get to it....that is my next project. Thanks Chevy

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  Womans Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By harvey - January 4 - 8:58 am

  The 2008 LTZ is the most comfortable truck on the market. It has been a pleasure to drive and ride in. When your wife likes the mans toys "ie truck" then you know that you have made the right choice. Will be a pleasure to drive on long trips

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  Best car Ive ever owned!! - 2016 Chevrolet Impala
  By Angela Smith - January 3 - 11:25 am

  Dont let the name Impala scare you awake! This is a new generation of Impala and it is beautiful and high tech!!! It has every bell and whistle and comfort feature you could ask for in a luxury car. This is the best car I have ever owned!!!

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  Bob"s ZO6 - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bob Crockford - January 2 - 8:46 pm

  This is the third Corvette I have owned in the past four years. One was a 2004 C5 and the other one was a 2005 C6. This 2008 ZO6 is by far the best handling and performing vehicle I have driven in many years. The reviews are correct for stating that this car is the "best bang for the buck"

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  Must be good - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Willie G - January 2 - 7:56 pm

  They sell fast, that should tell you that the public likes the HHR. I find it very comfortable and very quiet on the road. Moves out when you need to. Way above what I expected from a small car.

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  Smurfs Avalanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By smurfy ann - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Totally awesome truck. I have the fexibilty of a 4-door and a truck. Plus it looks good. I havent been satified with any vehicle since my 1991 Z-24. Ive had a Blazer, a Malibu, a S-10, & a ford car. The Avalanche is big, I feel safer when I am driving this truck. Its easier for my 2 kids (7 & 8 years old) to get in & out. Suprisingly the gas mileage isnt that bad. I comute over 500 miles a week and average 17 miles per gal. The preformance is OUTSTANDING. The looks AWESOME. If something happened to my truck I would replace it with another one.

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  corvettes are the best - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By dareelslimkt - January 2 - 10:00 am

  pretty car. fast. nice

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  Covertible Kicks Butt - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bulldogpix - January 2 - 10:00 am

  This is the most powerful and fun sportscar on the market for the money.

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  very good - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Ricky buchinger - January 2 - 10:00 am

  it has good handling

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  Its a winner - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By weavercity - January 2 - 10:00 am

  After shopping around and doing my homework Im glad I got the Silverado. With the 4.3L and 5 speed Im getting 20+ mpg and have plenty of power for light hauling. The ride is better than the others and it makes the Tundra look punny when you compare the box capacity. The design and engineering of this truck are outstanding.