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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  Good but not perfect - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By LouAnn - October 7 - 11:13 am

  Overall this has been a good reliable vehicle but we have has some issues along the way. The transmission dipstick rotted off near the handle (replaced under warranty) and the alternator pulley was squealing within the first year of ownership. We purchased new, but these just seem to be poor quality issues. More recently the trim at the top of the hatch froze in place (winter ice) and bent upward - nearly breaking the glass. The cheap plastic trim held up though it bent the metal brackets this is an obvious design flaw. Half the radio lights are out and its $800 to replace it. Fuel economy is ok for a big SUV(about 15mpg) and we took 4 kids to FL from MA in relative comfort last year.

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  Awesome Car - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By meat4mad - October 7 - 5:43 am

  I have nothing but great things to say about this car. My SS Impala gets great gas mileage, turns heads, and continues to see many compliments on the style of the car. Many mechanics cant believe that a 5.3L V-8 can fit into a car with front wheel drive! It shocks the heck out of them!

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  THE KING OF SUVs - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By rodgerdodger90 - October 7 - 5:07 am

  This I think is more reliable than any car i have had or driven. People think the Japanese make the most reliable cars but they dont. This truck has never let me or my family down rain or shine.

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  sweet deal - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By rinoboy - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Its a joy to use. Greatest versatility ever! no worries when traveling with boards and snowgear. lotsa looks and great to drive.

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  2003 Corvette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Starbuck - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Best Vette Yet!!! I Have owned 5 Corvettes and this Corvette is my favorite

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  You Gotta Get one of These! - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Vette Crazy - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Ive had other Corvettes but this 2003 is the best Corvette in handling, styling and performance. I cant imagine the C6 beeing any better. This is the first Corvette I bought new and so far its been worth every penny.

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  Great car for my purposes - 2013 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jim - October 6 - 9:26 pm

  Its safe, comfortable albeit a bit under powered with the 4 cylinder engine.

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  Excellent car for the money - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By balt lover - October 6 - 6:00 pm

  I purchased this car nearly 7 months ago, and it has completely surpassed my expectations. I am just over 6 feet tall, and of all the small cars I tested this one felt the most comfortable to me. It is extremely fun to drive, and even with my heavy foot, I average about 28 mpg in town, and have gotten as much as 38 on the highway. I would highly recomend this car to anyone looking for an econobox that is a kick to drive.

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  Fun Car - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Richard - October 6 - 4:28 pm

  I purchased this convertible in a salvage yard 4 years ago and after getting my R title it was back on the road. The following summer I took it on a 3700 mile road trip with no problems what so ever. This has been a great car and I really like it. It has all the options except the rear window defroster and all the options work. Problems have been minimal and easily repaired parts are cheap and can be obtained at my favorite auto parts store or junk yard. For me this has been a joy to own and I am looking forward to taking this car on a trip to the Florida gulf coast and then to the Keys next year.

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  Very dependable - 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Rgrimes - October 6 - 4:27 pm

  Car has 246,000 miles with no major issues except for normal maintence like tune ups and tires. Still runs like new and had no problem going through the sniffer.