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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  Best Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By JLT - March 24 - 5:50 pm

  Got the 6.6 Duramax with the Alison 6 speed, only way to go! Did my Consumer review research and found Chevy diesel rated the best all round of the Big 3 for 08! Cant even complain about the mileage. Adverage of 18 mpg, 21 mpg at 55-60 crusing the interstate (unloaded). Love how the Alison tranny grabs hold of the engine when the tow mode is turned on and sounds awesome. I got he 17" rims with my truck which I highly recommend.

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  Best Value - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Obsessed - March 24 - 10:00 am

  This is a very good first car, slow but good acceleration, good fit and finish, and great paint color (victory red). Only thing I dont like is no side airbages.

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  cant get enough! - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By scarlett - March 24 - 10:00 am

  This is my 3rd Monte Carlo, and I wouldnt buy any other car for the price and style! It is fast, fun and so comfortable. I am a Nascar fan and I enjoy being part of the Chevrolet team! Fabulous automobile! Go get one!

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  it was very comfty - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By cheerchick9104 - March 24 - 10:00 am

  it had good fuel

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  good family vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By wileycat - March 24 - 10:00 am

  recently purchesed excellent rebate very smooth ride and excelleration great ext. styling my wife likes the smooth ride not intimidating to women

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  Perfect LTZ - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Kim K - March 24 - 12:51 am

  The 2007 Avalanche LTZ is a wonderful vehicle. Quite, rides beautifully, and the fit and finish are excellent. Towed a 5500lb trailer last hunting season without effort. The options on the LTZ are terrific but its kind of hard viewing the rear entertainment system from the front seat. The vehicle has 7000 miles and has yet to see the dealership service bay. This is my second vehicle with satellite navigation and the touch screen is easy to use.

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  Z-Oh Baby! - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Azrael - March 23 - 4:04 pm

  I must admit that this car was added to our garage to get me out of our 2002 Camaro SS that was originally purchased for my wife. I loved the LS1 F-body car so much and it got such great gas mileage that I totally forgot about my own 2001 F150 pickup and drove the Camaro everywhere. The wife wanted her car back and new I have always dreamed of owning a Corvette. Needless to say she made the appointment to go look at the car without me knowing what we were going to go look at, let alone that we were going to a car dealership. I drove the Z06 home the next day with a smile that I have been unable to erase since that day.

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  Great value, reliable - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By chet johnson - March 23 - 1:47 pm

  My Cav has 154k on it and engine still runs strong. Doesnt burn oil. Original muffler and struts. I live in NH and gas tank rusted but that was it. I also maintained it with hiway mileage. Excellent car for $9800. Gets 33 mpg. No major repairs at all. Just get in and go

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  Chevrolet Uplander - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By kyle crosslet - March 23 - 12:01 pm

  We as a family really liked the Chevrolet Uplander. It has a really good look outside and inside. The van gave us no trouble except a power door that ran for a extra few seconds, a minor thing. The dealer could not fix we just put up with it . If youre looking for a stylish van with nice preformance get one! And if you need extra room get the EXT it helps a lot! But if youre looking for a van thats a little more useable look at the Honda. It has the seats that fold in the floor. The Uplander sort of has it but not as effective. I worked with all 3 vans and my fav is still the Yplander. I think next van from Chevrolet should be more thought out!

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  best buy - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By realjackass - March 23 - 10:32 am

  I purchase this truck 13 june 2011 with 147 000 km , today we are 27 nov 2013 , with 182 000 . got this from the original owner , he never put a dime in it ( what he said) other than oil the truck yearly . i just replace all the brake line and front brake and rotor . and one front bearing last year , and i still oil the truck yearly , frame and body is in excelent shape , im very sastisfied with this truck , also im running 35 inch tire and lift kit .