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 of the best - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By d moorefield - March 5 - 2:00 am

  traded a deville for this new 03 impala was not sure at first , but after 10 months i am sure this is one of the best cars on the road , comfort , looks and 36 miles to gal on highway i am still shocked at how good it handles fills in the turns , i go fast , and i like it

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  Buy A Z71 for serious FUN !!! - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ZEZ - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Only had a couple of months, but clearly the best sport-ute Ive owned.

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  Decent purchase - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Jeffner - March 4 - 9:16 pm

  I received my trailblazer in 2006 with 12000 miles on it. We live in Florida and have traveled to TN drove in the mountains for a week, the truck handles lots of terrain. I now have 60,000 miles on it and other than a few hiccups I am very happy. I love the comfort with two children, getting in and out is a breeze. Lots of room, and smooth ride. Overall I liked it so much we just purchased our second trailblazer.

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  sweeeet ss - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By elcaminoman - March 4 - 7:11 pm

  Our first new car was a great choice. Has been fun to own. Rides smooth and quiet. The blue splash is flashy. Sporty yet large enough for cargo. Maneuvers easy. We have 10,000. Miles on it and are very satisfied.

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  so far so good - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By mark - March 4 - 6:55 pm

  We are very pleased with our car. A little disappointed with sticker mileage compared to actual. All manufacturers seem to get away with that one? However very reliable car, runs smooth, LOTS of power. Wanted the LTZ because of more HP. Salesman said I would be happy with LT, and saved a lot of money. He was right. The traction control is a must in the snow here in Canada. Never had a problem. 2nd winter with it and reg. all season tires! By the way we found that if you order a car with the features you want it can save you money on the sticker price. Can save another thousand if you order it, as the dealers automatically tack on a thousand to cover cost of the car sitting on the lot.

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  Wonderful Vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Laine Allemond - March 4 - 3:05 pm

  I have the ZQ8 LS, with the optional 3.5L I5 cylinder. This is my first truck, by the way I am 18 years old. But before I purchased this vehicle, I did a lot of research and test drives. I love the great gas mileage, as well as looks and good performance. The truck handles well, and it is a plus for towing capacity as well. It is black, with a red bow tie, and that truck looks mean coming down the road. It has good interior volume, as well as OK styling. Although, a few things can be added in the cab to make it a bit more appealing. The fact that I chose the Colorado over many other vehicles in its class is for the street looking body as well as rims. Well, black does add to its sexiness.

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  is it what you really wont - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By can,t belive gm made - March 4 - 1:50 pm

  I have had nothing but problems. I have had this truck for 3 years. I have replaced at 47,000 as follows battery, tires, heater core, brakes rotors, cv driveaxles, front wheel hub bearings, slave cylinder, clutch assembly, gasket set for upper engine, fuel injectors, fuel pump asy air conditioner compressor, upper and lower ball joints, catalic converter, 3rd door handle (at 50.00 apop I made one out of stainless steel) latest is a mass airflo sensor and a 2nd gear sincro gear and the cheap interior seats ect. Thank god Im an ex- gm tech. I paid no labor! I would feel for someone who had to pay for this fine gm product. I see why they are in the mess they are in.

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  Good Value For Money Car - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By mercara - March 4 - 10:27 am

  I bought this car used in 2000 with about 35K miles. It now has 138K miles and still drives like it will go to 200K at least. As others have pointed out it gives great mileage. Had the alternator replaced but no manifold issues yet. Honestly for the price I paid in 2000, I have got full use out of this car. If it died on me today, I wouldnt feel bad since I got my moneys worth out of this car. If you find a low mileage car that has been maintained well, it is a good value.

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  2001 Monte Carlo SS - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By mrjohn - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Coming from a sunfire GT, the Monte Carlo is a bit huge and takes quite and adjustment in driving attitude. The size and weight requires some adaptation for parking and braking with the extra momentum. I feel the SS gives adequate acceleration, but I would much adore a V8 and perhaps even RWD.

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  Great car. - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Professor1 - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Love this car. Drives well, great mileage, very comfortable and safe. The car is by far my favorite, especially with options like dual temperature controls (my girlfriend can stay warmer), a great stereo, very roomy, and steering wheel controls for radio and cruise...Oh! And I really like split split front seats with safety options like side air bags. This car was well designed and well built, Ill be keeping mine a long time.