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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  Tracys Truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Tracy - February 6 - 4:23 pm

  Its an awesome truck. Smooth ride, great power, great looking. Complaints for chevy clearance are numerous but I havent experienced it yet. The only thing I dont like is the anti-lock breaks. But that goes for any car Ive driven that has them. I pull a 5000# boat without problems.

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  AWESOME VECIHLE ! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By ROBERT MICHAEL - February 6 - 12:19 am

  Owned since new. Awesome power and it manhandles my 7,500 pound travel trailer. Smooth riding for a 3/4 ton truck and sticks to the road like glue. Smooth shifting tranny, not the clunky type in some of the other GM products. This BLOWS away Fords and Doge Ram . Toyota or the rest of Toy trucks need not apply for the job. Easily swallows and carries 30 sheets of half inch drywall 4x8. Then switchs back to a family carrier. Most dependable set of wheels ever. I would buy another in a heartbeat but not with the wimp like 5.3 liter engine. Even with the 4:10 rear it wont tow well on the long hills.

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  Excellent - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By k5 - February 5 - 10:52 pm

  I have never had to do anything more than change the oil, and I just put on new tires. I have 3 boys. They eat and drink in the car. Yes it gets dirty, but nothing that a little carpet cleaner cant fix. We have a VCR which still runs perfectly. I am pleasently surprised how well the Venture has lasted.

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  25th - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 25th Ann. - February 5 - 6:05 pm

  I love my 25th anniversary Camaro. I like cruising around wth the T-tops off and the pedal to the floor. Ive had no problems with it since I bought it in 98 except for the brakes and tires that Im a little hard on. I wish I had the money to do the car some justice and restore it to its prime.

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  2004 crew cab Silverado 2500 2wd - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By chevy man - February 5 - 2:40 pm

  Love this truck. Never short on power. Put a kn intake on it and power and acceleration has improved even more. Me and my wifes daily driver have had problems with electronics and radio luckily covered under warranty. Despite problems though me and my wife still love this truck, however I have not ever seen this truck get over 15 mpg city or hwy. I want to know what you guys getting 17 are doing. Overall great dependable and more than able truck. I would put it against Ford, Dodge, or Toyota any day

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  I love my Aveo - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Andrea Mills - February 5 - 11:48 am

  This is the greatest economy car Ive ever driven. A lot of room inside, especially backseat! It drives very zippy, can turn it on a dime!

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  Love this car! - 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV
  By jsca72 - February 5 - 4:01 am

  Ive only had this car a week, so down the line I might sing a different tune, but I love this car! Prior to this car, my main car was a 2001 Honda Accord. I wanted to downsize to a compact and had promised myself that I would get a new car this summer. The problem was, after a testing quite a few cars, my favorite drive was always my Accord...until I drove the Spark EV. This car is so fun to drive! Where the Prius C slugged along and had no pick-up and go when needed. The Spark EV flies when I need speed. Im easily getting more than the 82 mile charge range. Be aware that the $2500 California Rebate seems to be coming to an end and a quicker charging model will be coming out in November.

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  Fun time in tuff little truck - 2005 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Lucie - February 5 - 1:26 am

  I have my 2nd ZR2 model. I love it. Of course the true ZR2 was Not made for luxury or comfort. It was made for 4 wheel drive fun. Not urban commute, car- pooling people that dont know what 4 wheel drive is about. Like remembering to lube the transmission, u joints,etc. Too many people buy these type of vehicles and dont know what they were intended for. To class it with some of these others is wrong. Yes, they are a dated style and as of this year will be no more They are cool, tough, & fun.

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  Great Little Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Mello Yellow - February 4 - 9:49 am

  I have owned a 96 4.3 2wd s-10 and still own a 91 4wd s-10 4.3 Blazer. Compared to these trucks she is a vast improvement in all areas. Although the powerband is not what I am used to, she won me over with her smooth running and her Dr. Jeckyl/Mr. Hyde nature. When you get down on her she really hauls the mail. The five speed manual is geared well for this motor and shifts smooth. Handles great and the fuel economy is superb for a 4wd with 3.73 gears. She gets 22mpg or so consistently and has seen 23mpg once. The seats are very comfortable and the stereo sounds awesome. Anyone looking for a solid, efficient daily driver should give this truck a look, although I strongly suggest the manual trans.

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  95 Suburban - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By OC1Dave - February 3 - 3:09 pm

  This vehicle has been truly outstanding. It does anything I ask of it, tow, travel, off road, commute, and does it in comfort, style and gets 20+ mph on trips. Repairs have been minimal, it burns no oil at 160,000 and I will replace it with another.