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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  2005 Tahoe Z71 - Only drawbacks - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Steven - Detroit - February 17 - 12:09 pm

  My new 2005 Tahoe Z71 came with a faulty tire pressure sensor. Already have to take in for service. Driver side window sprayer plugged - I repaired. Noticeable height variance to brake pedal over gas pedal. May prove to be a safety issue. Watch for recalls to close the variance in height in future months.

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  Loving the fuel efficiency! - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By TreeHugger - February 17 - 10:23 am

  Ive gotta say for the fuel efficiency, hands down, the best. Traded my old Range Rover for it & Im super happy about my gas mileage but it is BIG. Bigger than any other vehicle Ive had. The rear camera needs improvement (the angle and range are off). The rear sensors are not as sensitive as they should be (minor fender bender backed into a small car) But I get 30+ on the highway easy. Trust me, Im always checking. They were very modest with the mpg. So whenever Im in Atl or DC traffic, Im laughing at the suckers who are burning up their money lol. Took the 3rd row seats out, theres no room for storage with them in.

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  Good Truck - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By bweb - February 16 - 7:09 pm

  Have had the truck about 8 months.

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  Second guessing - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By bryan2006 - February 15 - 2:26 pm

  I really liked my car for the first 3000 miles or so but it suddenly became sluggish, I now find myself competing with 4 cylinder engines with a slight tapping sound under the hood while at a stand still. Also a quart of oil has been burned now at 3500 miles. I am really aggravated by how much a car can change over so few miles. Reminds me of that freind that stabbed you in the back. My 2001 Acura was much more potent than this vehicle with less horsepower and displacement and more weight. Please explain this one. Gas mileage also stinks on this new car. I went from a 2004 Chevy Colorado with the 3.5 litre 5cyl to this one. Truly disappointed and thought it would be better!

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  I like it - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tom K - February 15 - 2:26 pm

  Drives and rides nice. Like the back seat room and ease of entering and exiting the rear seat. The electric assist power steering is nice. Overall a nice vehicle to have.

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  I love my Volt! - 2016 Chevrolet Volt
  By Rafael - February 14 - 12:52 am

  I have had the car for 3 months and Im really happy with it, when the weather is cold I preheat the car and is very comfortable and the heat on the steering wheel is a plus. It has great acceleration. I do plug the car every other day since one charge is enough for me to commute to work 20 miles per day.

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  Plesantly Suprised - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JPWhite - February 13 - 1:40 am

  I traded a 5 speed Escort for a used 4 cylinder Mailubu LS. Used to a sluggish car, I was expecting more of the same, but need good mileage given the number of miles I drive and the increasing price of gas. I was also unsure if Id like the extra noise at cruise from a 4 speed auto compared to a 5-speed manual. I must say I have been impressed all round, this is NOT just another hum drum commuter car. I have rejected Malibus in the past because of engine noise. The 2004 is much better. The car handles very well indeed. The biggest suprise? Very, very quiet at 70Mph, only 2600 revs or so with power to spare. Changes gears intelligently and smoothly. I am more than pleased - great car.

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  Love the versitility - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By KevinIN ct - February 12 - 10:54 pm

  I spend my weekends doing home improvments and handy work for friends and family. Ive had trailers and SUVs and always had issues. The Avalanche is the best of both worlds. It rides like a dream and It has all the elbow room I need. Its my first one and will buy another one when Im due.

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  I like it - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By sysletem - February 12 - 2:33 pm

  This is my first Impala. I drive over 45,000 miles per year . I wanted better gas mileage over my previous vehicle. I dont quite know if this is the vehicle either . But Im really impressed with everything else , the ride, power, interior . I have the black SS with completly tinted windows WOW. At 3500 miles I believe I can honestly say I get 24mpg on the highway and 18 in town . At this point Im glad I made this purchase.

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  It is worth buying - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By dale - February 12 - 10:43 am

  This is my 3rd Suburban. My 1st suburban was back in 1996. They are great for long trips and someone who sits behind the wheel for long periods of time. Oh yes, I will buy another one in 2007 if I like the style.