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 car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Bruce - April 21 - 3:16 am

  This is the least expensive new car I ever owned, It is fun to drive. Its got a great 2nd. 3rd gear winds out great. Got lots of coments. Going to put chrome wheels on it, and she will look great. Just a base car, but got all the right equipment. Chevy is on the right road with the Cobolt. I think its got it all. A fast little SS and a great base

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  Worth every penny! Love it - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jack - April 20 - 1:13 am

  Great ride, smooth, awesome styling. Very safe with excellent crash ratings (four bags as well as side curtain airbags). Incredible legroom and plenty of space! worth every penny!!

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  Very Nice Vehicle - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By TJ - April 20 - 1:13 am

  This is a very nice car, if GM had been building them like this all along, they wouldnt be in the mess they are in now. A comfortable ride, excellent fuel economy, my last trip at 61 mph I averaged 34 mpg and the 4cyl does quite well even with a full load of folks. Prior to my retirement I was averaging 26mpg in crappy Washington, DC commuter traffic, excellent! The interior is very classy and the outside is a head turner. This is the first vehicle I ever owned where people have stopped me and asked about the car. There was one slight flaw in the paint finish between two seams, well see if it causes a problem down the road.

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  Safety, Safety, Safety! - 2000 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Campbell - April 19 - 8:14 pm

  My family was recently rear-ended by an 18-wheeler on I-75 in our Surburban. We all walked away with minor scratches and bruises. We have had some mechanical problems in the past(fuel pump, transmission and rear-end problems) but I dont think I will ever trust another vehicle as much. The "burb" was totalled and I felt I was leaving my "Best Friend behind". I dont think many cars would have taken the hit we did and keep us as safe as this one did. I will be buying another one, you better believe! Mechanical problems can be fixed, family sometimes cant.

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  Best trucks on the road - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By alphaecho4386 - April 19 - 5:17 pm

  Absolutely love this truck. Ive always wanted a Tahoe, amazing room, excellent power, parts are easy to find, and just really nifty features like the underhood reel light, and storage box. I go to college and even though gas just aint cheap, I never complain. This truck is just worth every penny. Gas mileage is not too bad for a full size truck. My friends and I take "the bus" whenever we head out as everything, and one, can fit in it. It works great around town, the turning radius and sight lines are excellent. And on the highway it hauls and cruises down the road. Its scarily fun to drive this 5k pound rig!

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  Second Astro Owned - 2005 Chevrolet Astro
  By jjreeves9752@charter - April 19 - 1:53 pm

  This is my second Astro. The first I drove 230,000 miles with little maintenance. This is longer but handles nicely I put Mogg idler arms on the 1991 that greatly improved the steering and handling. I plan to do it on the 2005 in a year or so. I now have 40000 miles on the 2005. I drive these vans from SC to Yellowstone Natl. Park and on to Phoenix and back. I pull a midsized bass boat for short 20 or 50 trips. We especially like the fold down bench seats for the second and third row seats. We throw coats and etc. over the first folded down bench. I have driven Toyota vans but this Astro will outdrive it hands down with a lot of hauling space.

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  A Sleeper - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Never too old - April 18 - 8:56 pm

  Bought it used, with less than 4,000 miles, and Ive put about 2,000 on it to date. Ive been very satisfied with every aspect of this car so far with 2 exceptions - torque steer and fuel economy, as mentioned in other reviews. The handling, suspension, and performance are very good. Seats are comfortable, and controls are easy to reach. Steering wheel buttons for radio and cruise control are a bit small, however. This car may not be a Lexus, BMW or other high priced sports/luxury car. It is what it is. But I like being different from everyone else. You dont see a Malibu SS at every corner, and its fun to have people say "a Super Sport? I didnt know Chevy made it!"

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  Best buy - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Corvette fever - April 18 - 8:12 pm

  I had all the Vettes c 1-5 and and this one will make history. If you drive one you will buy one. A little hi tech for an everyday driver, but so far no problems.

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  The Aveo is Fun - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By ashum001 - April 17 - 3:12 pm

  I love my Aveo. It is a fun sporty car. It has a lot of little extras. Ive gotten some people asking me if it is a Volkswagen. If you compare a Jetta with it youll find that the body is similar. It has lots of leg and head room. It feels as if you are sitting in a real chair and has good interior styling-flashy dashboard and stereo knobs etc. The engine is spaced out enough that a do-it-yourself mechanic can work on it comfortably.Its an American car which hopefully means cheaper parts, though I have heard that American cars tend to break down more so well see in the long run whats least expensive. With chrome lined lights, a spoiler and a sunroof this is the cutest little car Chevy makes.

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  Great SUV - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Galantguy2k - April 17 - 10:07 am

  This SUV shouldnt be in a class with the Ford Escape and smaller SUVs. Its remarkably spacious, it looks great, and theres so many options you can get. I got the base model, added great leather, dark tint, remote start, bluetooth, and rims. I liked it this way so I would only pay for what I wanted. First ever SUV and Im loving it.