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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  Awesome! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By BreakerN5 - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Great little truck. i have the sport (zq8) extended cab 4 door 3.5L. the 220 horses makes it move pretty nicely. very roomy interior and much cooler looking than the S-10s

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  Worthy Replacement for my DeVille - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Rich - June 4 - 9:43 am

  Have had this car for only about 3 weeks now, but the longer I drive it the better I like it. Good ride, comfortable, quiet. Quite peppy with the 3.9V6, yet getting about 22 MPG city and 32 highway. I traded in a 2000 DeVille, and this car is a very worthy replacement for a fraction of the price.

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  Traded in at 118,400mi, bought at 12mi - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Amanda - June 4 - 6:14 am

  Car was great in the beginning, grad present from parents. Drove fine, had problems from 3k miles on, replaced almost everything in the car at least 2x from the CD player that got too hot to play CDs to the entire rear axle that 2 bearings went bad in and wore the axle shafts out. Coil pack replaced 2x, ignition replaced, fuel pump replaced, clutch master cylinder replaced. Lots more done to the car, but all in all it was a decent ride.

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  Incredible bargain - 1994 Chevrolet Corsica
  By herbp - June 3 - 9:38 pm

  I bought my 94 Corsica for $1200 and was amazed driving home I didnt get pulled over .Seems I was doing 70 mph before I knew it. the V6 is reallyquick and it handles well as well as the great gas mileage.

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  Reliable - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By nb_mike - June 3 - 7:21 pm

  I have had two years now. Hwy mpg 26-27.5 which is quite good for 8 cylinder. Around town mixed city/hwy only 14-16 not good with prices now a days. Overall quality is good. Lots of wind and tire noise at highway speed. Would buy another but probably the LTZ version with the 6/3 DOD. Good front seat legroom.

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  This car is so fun to drive - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By SEXYmans19 - June 3 - 4:12 pm

  When I bought this car Ive had no real common problems. But a lot of people have giving me a lot of compliments on the car. The gas mileage is great. I had 36.5 mpg before I accidently reset it.

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  We enjoy our Suburban - 2006 Chevrolet Suburban
  By JGD - June 3 - 4:00 pm

  We have had our Suburban for almost 2 years. We moved up in size from a Ford Explorer. Explorer is junk! We enjoy the extra seating and tons of space when 3rd row is folded down. My husband and I are large people and we are very comfortable in the front seats. Kids love the DVD. One thing though, the electronic displays get very hot on the radio and DVD after car has been running for about an hour. Honestly, you can almost burn yourself. The gas mileage is not much worse than the Explorer that seated 5 people and this seats 7. It handles well on the road and is a pleasure on long trips. It does take some time to learn all the electronic "gadgets". After two years, the car has been good!

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  Lil white - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By ford man - June 3 - 3:52 pm

  This truck is very reliable and fast. The 4.3 is a great engine. I hate Chevy but this one has done good. Its at 197,000 miles and still strong as ever. However bad gas mileage has hurt me a little. Over all good reliable truck. With bad paint. And can beat a V8 Mustang

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  First Impressions - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Chad - June 3 - 2:49 pm

  I researched many new cars before deciding on the HHR. My wife and I test drove five cars (Dodge Avenger, Dodge Charger, Subaru Legacy, and a Chevy Malibu) and looked at four or five others. Although we almost bought the Malibu we both agreed the HHR would be more practical for us (we have three kids and the Malibu had a small trunk). Ive only been driving it for a week, but so far I couldnt be happier. We bought the 2LT with every option. The standard equipment looked a bit unfinished. The leather interior really made the difference for me. Its strange but this is the first time I have liked a car more after I bought it than before. I dont know what else to say. It just fits.

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  Does Well for what it was designed for - 2005 Chevrolet Astro
  By Al - June 3 - 2:17 pm

  Okay, so I have only had this van for a few months, but I have had experience with other Astros, as well as other brands for comparision. For what the Astro was designed for it does it well. Its not overly stylish, but it is very funtional. Has adequate power delivery, although not refined. Handles like a van, not a BMW. Rides like a truck, not a Buick, but it will haul people and trailers. It will also get decent fuel mileage. Makes a great work truck and can take the abush and punish usually associated with work trucks.