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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  What a change! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Kr00g - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I researched this vehicle for over a month and decided it would fit the bill for what I wanted. It replaces my 93 SSEi and the last truck I had owned was a 85 Blazer. I needed a truck, a car my elderly folks could ride in (and get in and out of), and something reliable to get me to work in Iowa. This truck meets all those requirements and then some.

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  Impala LS for 57" and over - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By sportrjt - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for four days. Drove 220 miles and my right knee and leg hurted all night. This car is not designed for people 57" and over. The driver seat does not go back far enough. You have to turn totally around to open the console. The console is too far back. Although the car is a sports car of like, it rides kind of rough and wobbly. The driver will continuously bump their knee and scoff the bottom of the drivers door when getting out the car. Y

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  Die hard chevy fan - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By BOBBY1 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I purchased vehicle used with 64k miles on it, the power window assembly fell apart, the fuel pump went out and had problems with carbon build up, the truck was in a head on collision and held up fairly well. all together truck was ok, i have replaced it with a 2000 model just like it.

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  Chevy Avalanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jpj028 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Want to drive the best driving SUV/Truck in the market? Then get in the Chevy Avalanche. Fun, Fast, Bold are some of the things that you will experience.

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  Good Value from a Cheapskate - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Marvin Shrager - October 10 - 1:00 pm

  Looked at Camry and Avalon, but bought the Impala. Avalon is, in my opinion, overpriced at a 50% price premium. Chevy had a bench seat/no console option, which I favored. Nice sized truck, good power to pass on 2 lane roads, very good fuel mileage for the size of car, good comfort. Overall, very happy with car.

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  Ive driven three over six years. - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By GrowlyBear - October 10 - 10:00 am

  Felt nice and tight when new but with age the ride and "feel" is somewhat mushy. Squeaks from dash are really noticeable since shes broken in. Very decent sounding stero. Ive driven three (95, 97 and 00) and have noticed successive improvements with each. Ive never had a problem (except for cheap brake pads early years)and my Blazers have NEVER let me down.

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  Great car for perfect roads only - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By New Vette Owner - October 9 - 11:16 am

  I bought the Z51 package in order to get the very "best" vette possible. However, unless you plan to race this car (on a race track) or live where the roads are perfect, consider the magnetic suspension. The Z51 is simply too harsh for midwestern roads. Buy the skip shift bypass from one of the aftermarket sites - that feature is annoying at best, dangerous at worst. The car is tremendous fun on the right roads, and is a real head- turner, though it is a handful on rough secondary roads. It is a super- bargain, but there is a trade-off in refinement. If you can afford it, check out a Boxster S or M3 before you buy.

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  Beauty and The Beast - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Al Walker - October 9 - 9:46 am

  For all of its power, heavy duty cargo and towing capacity, and rugged looks, its handling capabilities, ride, and interior make it a dream to drive and ride in. Chevy has done it! No longer the so-so looking truck on the road. Its body style makes this truck attractive to even the died-in-the-wool Dodge or Ford enthusiast such as I was prior to the 2007 Silverado HD truck I now own. I love the suspension, electronic 4- wheel drive shifter on the dash and towing capacity of the Vortec 8 cyl., six speed transmission. This truck does not even flinch a little when it is towing my 10,000 pound horse trailer with equipment and our horses. We live in Wyoming so it tows up and down hills.

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  Not Too Bad!? - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By mattchoo - October 7 - 10:00 am

  We have had a couple problems we have had to replace the wiper switch, all the rubber window moldings, and now the temp gauge is stuck on cold and the electric fan runs all the time. We traded in a 2000 volkswagen jetta that was a lemon i hope this is not going to be the same thing.?

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  Good Domestic Car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Kurupt - October 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is solidly built. It wont pass for a beamer but its a nice attractive car. The interior is comfortable and the 3.5 L V6 is smooth and quiet. Overall a solid car.