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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  Great and Nice Car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By HALLS - November 26 - 9:36 am

  This is a great car. It is very roomy. We sat in the back of a Ponatic GT Prix and it was way squished. We sat in the back of our Impala and it feels very roomy. We bought it because we wanted a roomy car because we have a baby we have to stick in the back and it fits great and there is still room. I love driving it. It has the get up and go very fast.

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  A true American shops at home! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By George Bourque - November 25 - 4:19 pm

  I have driven the 05 Colorado 5cyl.w/auto & 3.43 gears for 2.5 yrs now w/no problems. Ive personalized some w/16x8 American racing wheels that had counterbored to fit 2,5yrs now. Added SS fender trim to existing flares. SS bedrails and caps sprayed bedliner and many more mods. As to performance Ive hauled 5000 lbs manlifts with this truck while loaded w/over 1200lbs of tools in the bed & cab. the tools have in the cab for allthis time and I still avg.19-21mpg. I add Im not a litefoot driver. I would seriously consider in the future replacing this truck with another Colorado. Over the long run this one thing the X-perts are not the best source of info. you should speak to the horses mouth.

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  Still Surprising Me After Six Years! - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Brian in Boise - November 25 - 3:20 pm

  I cant say enough about this car. I bought it from a co-worker on whim for $300 because it needed a fuel pump. Shortly after we bought it we had to put in a water pump and an alternator. I was beginning to wonder what I was beginning to get into. That was six years and 50,000 miles ago and the car hasnt cost me a dime other than regular maintenance since! The V-6 has lots of power. The seats are comfortable and the drivers seat is roomy for my 64" frame. The A/C is cold and the heater is hot. The trunk is huge. I am a Realtor and I drive this car every day. I can fit my big signs in the trunk. The car always starts. I get 21 MPG in town and 29 on the highway at 75 MPH.

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  LOVE IT - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Brandyswa - November 25 - 10:10 am

  We traded in our 2007 z71 tahoe for the equinox and we dont regret it. The gas mileage has been 22mph but this has been a great comfy vehicle.

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  My Monte My Baby - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By My Monte My Baby - November 25 - 9:00 am

  I love this car. I think it handles better than the Mustang. It drvies so smooth and it dosent even feel like your going fast. I dropped it an inch and I put 20 inch rims on it and it feels even better. It has a very spacious interior and its far more comfortable for passengers than most coupes.

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  I Love It! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jalcoplumb - November 25 - 7:20 am

  The 250hp feels great. It can get out of its own way. I love the TAP shift. It is lots of fun. I am getting around 20.5mpg with a good mix of highway and stop and go. (My lead foot does not help) When I get a little crazy it gets into the 18mpg range. It holds the road well in the rain and it did well last week in a dusting of snow. Curious to see how it does in a good snow storm. From what I have read the Goodyear tires were not rated well for snow. Fit and finish are great. The car is quiet. I have driven with the radio off and had it around 100 and was amazed at how quiet it is inside. Acceleration and passing at highway speed is very good even in automatic.

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  Great Minivan - With a look - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Samlock - November 24 - 11:27 pm

  We just got our minivan. Great look! Looks like an SUV but with sliding doors. Drives nicely. The extended version always has a smoother ride. But I cant complain. Very nice on the highway.

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  Liked Wifes HHR; Bought one for myself - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Terry - November 24 - 1:33 pm

  Love this vehicle. Bought loaded 2LT Amethyst for my wife. Liked it so much I bought a Sunburst Orange loaded 2LT for myself. Great and fun car to drive. So many feature with such a reasonable price. Lots of great comments from others.

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  Less trips to the gas station. - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Gayle - November 24 - 9:46 am

  I bought my 2007 in Aug. of this year and have loved driving it every since. After driving nothing but mini vans and SUVs for over 20 years it is nice to be saving money at the gas pumps. The car is also fun to drive, sporty looking,but appropriate for those of us over 40. I have not had a chance to drive it in the snow yet so that is my only concern since I have a long commute to and from work and I am used to vehicles that sit higher off the ground.

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  Love it - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By K - November 23 - 2:31 pm

  Its been 2 months and Im very happy with my purchase. The HHR has a great look, is easy to drive and has lots of head and leg room. Averaging 31mpg is great since I log about 400 miles a week. Sits high enough for my mother to get in and out easily and a very smooth ride. Gauge panel is setup for easy viewing of all gauges.