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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  satisfied suv driver - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By enrique salinas - October 20 - 2:00 am

  I feel very comfortable and confident when I drive my suv. I am a big person so it offers great comfort, plenty of space . There is memory so when my wife drives the gas and brake peddles adjust and the mnirrors move just by inserting her own key.

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  Chevy Tahoe - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By lniglio - October 20 - 2:00 am

  This is the best SUV Ive ever owned. I have previously owned a 2000 Blazer, and a 2002 Trailblazer. The Tahoe has it all over both of them. I wouldnt trade it for anything.

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  Drives Like New - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Anthony - October 19 - 8:00 pm

  Bought new. Drives great and is very comfortable. Strong engine and with hard tonneau routinely get 20 mpg on 4wd 5.3l V8. Occasionaly use to tow 23 ft Glastron boat with 14 mpg under tow conditions. Totally pleased and will only trade up for diesel pickup with higher towing capability if I purchase a very large 5th wheel camping trailer. Extended cab has very roomy bench seating for 3 passengers. Ive carried 3 adults in back seat and all were impressed with comfort in an extended cab truck. My kids routinely ride in extended cab bench seat area with total confort even when traveling 6-8 hrs. The only disadvantage I say this truck has is not having the 4th door to easily access behind driver.

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  Hands Down, Best Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By Mark Ashlock - October 19 - 6:03 pm

  This is the best vehicle Ive ever owned. My first Chevy truck since 64 . My wife has a Toyota Sequoia, and I wouldnt trade my truck for two of hers. Great power, fantastic brakes, outstanding visibility. Best back seat of any make in 2000. Actually is tilted like a regular seat. 148,000 miles, been in the shop twice for minor concerns, doesnt use any oil, and still on original brakes. Average 13-14 mpg (16 hwy), which isnt bad for 300 HP and 365 FPS of torque. Pull a 4 horse goose neck, no problem, although it does better with 3 horses. My only mistake was only buying one. Should have bought two and put one up on blocks in storage!

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  Its Worth it! - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By FC - October 19 - 2:30 pm

  I had a WRX before the SS. Although the WRX runs better test numbers, everyday driving wasnt as fun as the SS, because there wasnt much going on below 4000 RPM. I dont know about everyone else, but American engines always hold a place in my heart because of low end torque. L.E.T. is what I find fun when Im driving around. I drove an S2000 a while back and although it was a "refined" car (whatever that means), I didnt feel that great about it because just driving around, it was like driving an old Civic. Why? Because you have to rev that engine up to the sky to have fun. High RPM is cool for the track, but Ill take torque from a car like the Cobalt SS when Im going to the store.

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  Great all around truck - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Rick - October 19 - 2:26 am

  I have over 22K in 8 months on this truck. I drive long distances, I haul a boat with it, I haul my motorcycles, my quads. I use it as a work truck on my acreage, I use it to drag yard tools and it is the best truck I have ever owned. I had an 03 F-150 and an 05 Titan and I will never buy anything but Chevy again. Averaging over 18MPG overall. Tows great, hauls great, durable, long lasting. Love the no nonsense interior as opposed to the reviews that want luxury sissy interiors. Tough truck, great price.

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  Z71 4WD LS 5 cyl auto - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By jeffk - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I took my truck from Seattle to So. Cali. to visit family. Yes I had to cross the mountains which according to the gotta have V6 / V8s fans said the Colorado was very poor on power. I was more than very pleased to find this little 5 cyl was truely much more powerful then I thought. The gas mileage was also very good on this long trip averaging for the total trip mid 22 MPG. Overall comfort was quite nice considering I was driving a 4WD truck. The interior is just about the same as the rest of the trucks out there, not very exciting. Then for a few dollars I can have the interior trim peices painted to brighten things up.

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  grab one - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By richard d - October 19 - 2:00 am

  great car!i never ever expected it to be such a comfortable riding car. mine is a yellow convertible and it is a stunner. just a joy to drive because of acceleration,handling,comfort,and styling. grab a c-5 because the c-6 is a design disaster.

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  tahoe review on z71 - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By john henry@verizon.n - October 19 - 2:00 am

  very nice car should have 350 engine for better pulling power, z-71 needs bumper protection down side mine already has several nicks from people opening doors in parking lot

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  Great car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By robert painter - October 19 - 1:40 am

  This is a great work car for me, or anyone. It runs exceptionally well on highway and back roads. Fuel economy, cant complain. Engine and suspension give it a very sporty feel.Overall, it is a great car.