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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  Great truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By lbsorensen - March 6 - 3:30 pm

  We bought this truck 2 years ago. My husband is in construction and needed a work truck, but we also needed something that suit the family with 3 teens. Love this truck, lots of room, lots of power.

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  07 Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Angler70 - March 5 - 9:23 pm

  3rd row seats are useless unless you are a midget or child. Room is really compromised since they only fold up, and although removal is easy, putting them back in is a chore. They are quite heavy, and is you are not careful, you can scratch the plastic items in the back.

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  love my cavalier (CA-VAUL-E-A) - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By virtuous woman - March 5 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun car! I purchased a 2002 cavalier LS coupe with the sports package and it is nice. It handles very well and is good on gas. Also, I was able to take advantage of the rebate offer, which saved me a lot of money. If you want a sports car, but do not have "sports car money" I recommend this car. Make sure that you get a coupe with a sports package. This car is really nice. It far exceeds what I expected. Chevrolet has come a long way with the Cavalier!

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  First Truck - Id do it again - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Scotty - March 4 - 4:20 pm

  Very, very reliable vehicle. Driven in snow, on beach, through woods, on the farm, and it has never let me down. Did have to have the steering rack replaced ($400) and the driveshaft needs U-joints now. Same anoying piston slap everyone complains about, but the truck is solid and does everything I expect it to.

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  Love it, but wheres the horsepower?? - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Johnnyhb99 - March 1 - 10:00 am

  So I heard Chevy was coming out with this new truck, and i had to see it. I loved it at first site and bought it the next day. Everything about it from the in car cd rack to the map pockets on the side of the shifter are such awesome features you wont find in other cars. The cargo room is exceptional, allowing me to fit 10 wardrobe boxes which are about 6 feet tall in the back of the car. The car is quite large on the inside allowing for everyone to fit comfortably. Plus Ive been getting more compliments from random people on the street about this car. Check the red color out its awesome.

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  Just picked up my Aveo! - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By groth12345 - March 1 - 7:20 am

  Having only driven 200 miles on my new Aveo, I can only say that for the cost it is a lot of car for the money. Very roomy (with high seating position adjustment) and enough pep with good handling. Also given the gas prices lately it will be easy on the wallet. The only problem I had was steering wheel shimmy caused by out of round tires on the front. They were rotated to the rear and now the problem is gone. The dealership will replace the tires.

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  Ok car - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Seanrace - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I have only had a few minor problems until recently. A few months after I bought it, car had 50k on it, the alternator started going, luckily the warranty paid for this repair ($600) and 2 years later the theft deterrent system went bad and would not allow the car to start (another $600), car had 75k on it. Recently the car began running extremely rough and it went to the dealer for repair. The Car had 93k on it and it cost me $1100 to fix. Overall I think it has been an alright car. I have averaged 20-22 mpg since I have owned it with no problems other than what has been stated above.

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  SS Monte Carlo traction system - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Janny - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. The ride, look, and style are fine when it is not having problems with the traction control system. Of course, when it is at the shop it drives perfectly. The problem does not reproduce. Has anyone else written about this problem? When the traction active light comes on the car will drag.

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  silverado lt - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By wilder - February 26 - 2:00 am

  ther body style could be modified and not be so boxy. The ride could be smoother

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  HD2500 Very nice truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By saleman454 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Truck is very nice. Rides great for a 2500hd. Much more rear seat/door room than Dodge. Fit / finish is very good. will tow a house. Fuel economy good be better but it is a HD truck. better economy than Dodge Hemi that my friend has. Only complaint is door lock trim piece is loose. very minor. Fuel tank is too small. Great headlights, and keyless entry feature is great. all light come on when key is pressed. Williams Chevrolet in Elkton Md are very good to work with. Great service/sales group.