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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  Aveo Is A Suprise - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Kajunman - July 30 - 8:06 pm

  I had to purchase a vehicle for work that didnt leave me nothing in the bank. I drive all day, and love this car. If you want bang for buck this is the car. Not only practical, but suprisingly all around good vehicle. It is fun to drive and has some zip to it. The best head room for a small car. Great MPGs, Good looking car, Fun to drive. Highly recomend checking it out. I chose this vehicle over Honda, Toyota, or Ford. Test drove them all.

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  Great First New Car - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Patrick - July 30 - 12:43 pm

  I got the 2LT coupe in black with the appearance package, so it looks like a sport or SS, but sadly doesnt handle or perform quite the same. I definitely prefer performance and handling over the interior styling or comfort, but I also want the car to look good, and my Cobalt does both. It has response, even when compared to my old Volvo 850 Turbo. The handling is smooth, which makes this car fun on back country roads. My mom has the sedan sport, and even though she has the Pioneer speakers, mine still get super loud and have excellent bass.

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  02 Chevy - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Karen - July 30 - 12:40 pm

  I bought the car brand new and was very reliable until I hit around 40k. Now it stalls out every other day and I have had to fix the engine almost three times. All kinds of creaks and rattles that are very annoying while driving in the car.

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  GMs Finest Product - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Blazzing - July 30 - 12:44 am

  I have been driving Chevys for my entire life. My family has always owned Chevys, as does my wifes. This vehicle by far out does any of the previous Chevy models. Yes, the interior is the Chevy basics, but the comfort level cant be matched. The seat feels like youre sitting in a recliner everytime you drive.

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  Disappointing SS - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By mojo - July 29 - 9:24 pm

  This car has all the horsepower and torque that Chevy boasts plus some. However, Im severely disappointed in the multiple problems Ive had with this car including the rack and pinion being replaced twice, steering shaft replacement, tire monitor problems and excessive oil consumption between oil changes. In my opinion, Chevy should have made this a rear wheel drive car. Being front wheel drive, it has too much torque steer. Also the brakes feel inadequate for the size and power of the car. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone. As soon as I can, I will trade it in for something other than Chevy.

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  Bought it to keep it for 10-15 years - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Timmy T. - July 29 - 1:54 pm

  Got rid of 05 Freestar - excellent mini van - because of whoops baby. Plane Jane, 5.3L, 3 cloth bench seats, rear air, after marked twin DVD system, sindle CD.15K miles down and not one problem. I can get 18 to 20mpg - and not a pinch more - by driving with my big toe. Wife gets 16 to 18mpg w/her 80lb foot. Not so good mpg on E85, as advertised, but performance does not suffer. Has been through four seasons, and the 07 winter in WI was rough, and did everything I asked of it. Rides great, stops great, doesnt sway in corners too much, (cmon its a biggie.) Fit / finish is great. Easy to work on for the do-it-yourself-er oil changer, but would change location angle of drain plug.

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  GM fails again! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By dhectorg - July 29 - 11:50 am

  I grew up in a GM household and as an adult, I too only drove GM cars for years. Then I decided to try a Honda to see what all the fuss was about. I was so shocked by the superior quality and reliability that I never went back to American...until now. I needed a work truck and something to drive on camping trips. I honestly only bought the Colorado because it was so much cheaper than a comparable used Tacoma or Frontier. After 6 months of driving this truck, Ive decided to sell it and look for a Toyota or Nissan. Ive had to repair the transfer case, replace the clutch, replace relays, replace windshield weather seal, etc. Im going back to Japanese. I know I can count on their quality!

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  A pleasure to own - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Matt - July 28 - 11:20 pm

  Very comfortable and excellent performance. Fuel mileage is better than expected at +/-15MPG (US). Ample power for towing a 5000lb trailer and have yet to have any issues with transmission.

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  Great Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Larry Gillenwater - July 28 - 10:13 pm

  I have driven Fords for 30yrs this is my 2nd Chevy. This truck is great. Well pleased. Good on gas, 3.5 motor 21-23 around town, great for 4x4. Chevy built a great truck in this line.

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  Good Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By bob - July 28 - 7:22 pm

  Ive done 13500 miles in this truck since new without any problems. It runs really free and has high gearing. The ride is smooth and handling and brakes are great. I can get 26 mpg if I drive easy. Id recommend it!