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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  My SS - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By DarthMommy - August 21 - 3:50 pm

  I traded in my 2004 Impala SS in for this one, and all I can say is, Woweee! This car rocks! Bose stereo. 18" rims, Gun Metal leather is the best I have ever had. The black exterior and the gun metal interior looks great! The car looks great overall!

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  Perfect Car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Skippy - August 21 - 10:00 am

  After owning a 2001 Ford Focus by reading reviews I have learned that most reviews are useless and their is no better way to buy a car but to drive the living hell out of it at the dealer. So after test driving this car on the lot I was fully convinced to purchase the Cavalier, as it was the last car on my list to drive. I dont know how in the hell consumer reports put this car last if anything that Focus should be dead last, I have owned GMs before and they are reliable unlike my Ford which lost all its power after 2 years and 60,000 miles. This ECOTEC engine is great, and you cant beat the value with a stick.

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  nice car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mamasplat - August 21 - 10:00 am

  We just bought our cavalier 2 months ago, and I am really impressed. It handles in accidents very well. We drove the car off the lot and down the street and some guy rear ended us going about 40 MPH totaled his truck, gave us bumper damage. All in all i like driving the car.

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  Great car. - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By JDBgn - August 21 - 10:00 am

  The hardest part of owning this car was the break in period. It was next to impossible to drive it easy for the 1st 500 miles. Fit and finish is as close to perfect as I have ever seen. Under the hood is very neat and clean. Shifting and handling leave nothing to be desired. Gas milage is where it is supposed to be. I am impressed.

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  2003 suburban - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Stephen Bretton - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Good stabilty on highway no floating or drifting with new susspension gas milage has been a good surprize overall quality has been great except for cheep plastic controls and buttons in interior

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  Own it-Luv it - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By thureh - August 21 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is comfortable and attractive. On roads trips it can not be beat. The third row seat is an excellent option for people with children (they can be seperated).

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  Excellen work of Art - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By luis - August 21 - 10:00 am

  This is just an amazing that really topples the competitor. Size, Comfort and Reliability is out of Question. On its third year, you look everywhere and you will see Trailblazers. First year could be a hiccup but over the years, they just keep on improving. I am puzzled why other owners have issues and problems with it. Maybe they just dont know how to take care of this lovely machine . Keep in mind that they are machines, and their performance depend on how the owners run it. As they say, show me your car and I will tell you what you are ..

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  excellent toy - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rohaman - August 21 - 10:00 am

  this is amazing machine, thank GM has come out with this practical, yet powerful and economical toy. i will recommend it to anyone

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  By far the best sports car for the money - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Larry Johnson - August 21 - 3:15 am

  I recently bought a 2005 C6 with 2000 miles on it. This is the 4th Vette I have owned. The new C6 dominates the other cars in every category. This car feels like you are a part of it and never disappoints me in any way. Its a great head turner and by far my favorite Vette.

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  Good van, but could be better - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Chris Lynch - August 21 - 2:19 am

  I really like the exterior look of the van. After driving it around town and on a long interstate trip determined that it handles very nicely in both types of driving (feels safe, too). Absolutely love the DVD player, satellite radio, and other extras like 17 inch wheels. The two tone leather interior is very sporty. I had to remove the rear storage unit since it took up too much storage space.