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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  03 Cavilier - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ajpa - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I recently took delivery of an 03 Cavilier coupe. I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent fit and finish of this car, both outside and in. It also has a peppy motor and a smooth shifting 5-speed manual transmission. The back seat is also very roomy for a compact car this size. I also got a great price on this car.

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  I want another one! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By n8wrl - May 4 - 10:00 am

  We started looking for something to tow our horse trailer because the Astro van wasnt cutting it. My wife visited a local dealership and drove a Z66 while I was out of town. I was leaning toward a pickup of some type but was concerned about vehicle length since I used to have a 95 extended cab 8 bed. When I drove the Z66 I couldnt believe the ride and handling. Then, when we pulled the trailer it was like nothing was back there. Now I cant get the Av away from my wife to drive myself! I want another one...

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  new c5 corvette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By mitchmann - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I have not owned or driven a corvette for 20 yeaars,what a difference, its fast,handles great and when you start it you know its powerful,The first thing i noticed was the powerful engine growl,something i had forgot over the years from driving sedans. I love it and think it is one of the most beautiful cars on the road. The variable suspension system really makes a difference in the ride,and the heads up speed display is something every car should have.Now if I can get my wife to let me have it back everything will be fine.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Richard Delgado - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Great SUV wounldnt have anything thing else.

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  Loaded and Loving It! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Cashola - May 4 - 10:00 am

  The Trailblazer is everything we were looking for in an SUV with the comfort of a sedan. The inline 6 cylinder engine has more than sufficient power even with the added weight of the EXT model. Every option you can imagine and still a relative bargain. A wonderful vehicle for the daily commute as well as weekend camping and boating trips!

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  Passing resemblance to Opel Astra - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By SCCHEVY - May 4 - 9:00 am

  Ive been waiting for GM to start bringing us cars that more closely resemble what they sell in Europe. The Malibu missed the Opel Vectra a little, but the Cobalt grabbed me as a dead-ringer for the last generation Opel Astra. I love the styling, and the interior is such an improvement over the antiquated Cavalier!

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  I love it so far - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By s2thep - May 3 - 9:54 pm

  Very nice ride, smooth & comfortable. Miles per gallon is low but I dont drive much. Zero Percent helped it make sense.

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  Good Car - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Rickster - May 3 - 7:25 pm

  This car is decent. I bought this car at around 92k, and now i am at 98k. The car has a nice, roomy interior with an okay exterior. The brakes are mushy and take time to get used too. The car is weak going up hills, but who cares when your getting awesome gas mileage. Despite the mushy brakes and weak power, this car is VERY reliable.

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  2005 Monte Carlo Supercharged SS - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Eva - May 3 - 4:20 pm

  I bought my Monte SS used, but let me tell you it is a sweetheart. I am a middle aged woman who loves to drive fast. I have no problem holding the go pedal to the floor. Its also amuses me to shut off the traction control on the console and smoke the heck out of the front tires, some times I have to take off my high heels to make sure the pedal is completely pushed to the floor and I also like the feeling of power going up my leg driving in my stocking feet. Totally awesome car!!

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  Happens all at once - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jeff - May 3 - 3:43 pm

  My car has been fine no big problems. I had to have brakes and the air went out. I keep smelling gas so if everything starts to happen then the car is falling apart. Before the gas smell the car was great.