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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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By habfam - February 6 - 2:28 pm

  I had an 06 CC Colorado that was a rattle box and traded it in. The build quality seems to have improved and the truck now has a more solid feel. There still is a little too much plastic on the inside, but overall this is a fun truck to drive. I cant speak to the reliability until Ive had it awhile. Steering is crisp and responsive. Braking could be a little better. The interior cosmetic changes are nice too.

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  Chevys are built for work and play - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jerry Sullivan - February 6 - 12:56 pm

  I use my truck on my job. I work as an inspector on new pipeline construction. Many times I have to use the 4 wheel drive and it performs excellent. I also pull a 30 travel trailer and it handles it with no problem. I especially like the "Auto 4 wheel drive" feature. When I drive up to some mud and stream crossings...I think "4WD or not?" I just press the "Auto 4WD" and it takes care of the guess work. So far I am very, very happy with it!

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  Excellent Little SUV - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By BlackKnight - February 6 - 12:53 pm

  I love this little SUV. I purchased 2 years ago and have had zero issues accept for daily wear and tear. The 4WD works well although the turning radius leaves something to be desired. Ive driven in several snow storms with no issues. Parking is excellent especially in city driving where the Tracker with its higher profile and compact size makes parallel parking a breeze. This is an excellent little work horse for a mother with one or two children and perfect for a college student in a snowy climate. It is dependable, fun to drive, and save to drive due to the higher profile driving on a highway and for its 4WD capability.

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  Best Car I Have Ever Owned - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By fp1899 - February 6 - 8:52 am

  If Chevy keeps building cars like this, I will never not own one. It is a great car, very reliable. My Impala has 85,000 miles and still runs like new. Mine isnt garage kept and it has no trouble starting in cold weather. The 3.4 Liter V6 has plenty of power and great fuel economy. It is a well designed and well built car.

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  DRIVE IT - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By CON2202 - February 6 - 2:00 am

  ALL I HAVE DONE IS CHANGE OIL AND DRIVE- TRIPS TO FLA ARE EASY AND THE TRUCK RIDES LIKE A CADDILAC.

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  Upgraded from 1990 S-10 Blazer... - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mwp99 - February 6 - 2:00 am

  ...and I couldnt be happier. The power produced by the TBs inline-6 is awesome. Toying with other comparable Jeeps and Fords is quite fun. The ride is so smooth, too. The Bose Sound System is quite an improvement to the "premium" system in the 90 Blazer. Cargo room with the rear seats folded down and inside room as a whole is noticeably larger. The 22-gallon fuel tank is a plus. When driving at highway speeds, you can get 450-500 miles to a tank of gas. One minor thing is the fuel efficiency when using cruise control--avg MPG about 1-2 MPG less than when driving with CC off compared to with CC on.

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  Ex-Cop Car - 1992 Chevrolet Caprice
  By 327capricess - February 5 - 4:30 pm

  I bought the car with 170000km on the engine. It has proven to still be a strong engine. I have buried the needle on the speedo and it was still pulling hard. The suspension is unbelievable. I have approached corners with slow to 60km signs and maintained a speed of 120km without any tire squeal nor slippage. The $1300 Fulda tires help out too. The dual bench seats are excellent for comfort. Lots of elbow room. This car is one of the most well balanced cars I have ever seen. I would buy this car over any Vette. Want power, open the hood and see all the room you have for a big block.you want speed, you have it.this car is very steamlined for the highway.want to get noticed, blow the comp away.

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  I Love My HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Sue - February 5 - 12:53 pm

  Since the day I bought this car, I have had fun with it. The upgraded stereo is awesome. The leather seats are very comfortable, The sunroof is a great bonus. I bought mine with the sport suspension package in it. It may have cost a little more but it was well worth it. There is nothing about this car that I dont adore.

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  Exactly what I want, Cruze RS - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Eugene Dougherty - February 5 - 12:16 am

  2012 Cruze RS - excellent solid handing, fast enough, perfect steering, great fuel economy, and great Pioneer stereo. Its an amazing car. It gives you a perfect execution to the 90% point, which is to say that is drives well, accelerates well, is comfortable and secure but when you start to push the limits, then it lets you know its essentially an economy car. If that sounds like a criticism, its not. The car is giving you more than you are paying for - handles securely like a BMW325 until you really push it (then it just slides). It accelerates very nicely until you try to win a stoplight acceleration (a fiasco of revs, turbo lag, and shifts - just dont ever do that). Its handles very well in the snow (somehow pulls that off). Im quite thrilled and look forward to my time in it. Previously owned Subaru, GTO, Eagle Talon, variety of other cars.

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  Power in the hands of a few - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By SinisterC6 - February 4 - 11:34 pm

  This is my first performance car and I must say I am impressed. Everything about is so well built and designed, GM really takes pride in their Corvettes. The best part is how versitile this car is, comfortable yet functional, fast but controlable. I have the Z51 suspension and I have taken turns at 3X the speed limit with the car still holding stong. Though it can be driven year round if you live in the northern climates like I, Id recomend a winter beater. The run flats get very slippery in colder temps, I have not driven the car in rain or snow but im told it holds its own. The car has just amazing, If you can buy one.