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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  Love my Avalanche! - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By shancock - May 20 - 1:46 pm

  I bought a new LT Avalanche in 2006 and just now traded it in to a 2008. We just wanted the new design. We had no problems at all with our 2006. I love the way they drive and handle. I wish I had paid the difference and got the LTZ package. I love everything about it and hope this one is as good as my 2006.

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  There is NOTHING like an American V8! - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Emoto - May 20 - 11:12 am

  This is a drivers car. The motor is intoxicating - both in power and sound. It is the most performance for the money that one can buy at the moment. Unlike the muscle cars of a bygone era, the 2016 Camaro SS handles as well as it accelerates, which is high praise, indeed. The interior is comfortable and well-appointed. Plenty of legroom, but if you are tall, you may want the sunroof, as merely having it means increased headroom in the car. The controls fall easily to hand. Magnetic ride and the adjustable exhaust are the way to go. Change from soft(ish) suspension and a quiet exhaust (Touring mode) to a more throaty exhaust and stiffer damping at the touch of a button. Set the ride to meet your mood or the conditions. Much has been made of visibility out of the cockpit. While no one is going to give the car a "great" rating on rearward visibility, it is certainly adequate.

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  Glad I bought it - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By bill - May 20 - 6:26 am

  My best mileage around town to work is 17. The best Ive had on road (285 mi. One way) is 19.8. Use the cruise and keep your foot out of it. I tow my 8000 lb. Bobcat 200 miles (road) and get 13.2 nothing to complain about. My p/u only got 10. I will buy another Avalanche. I drive it like its my Caddy and Im 64.

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  Brides Ride - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tar Heel Born - May 20 - 1:39 am

  Only first 2000 miles, but so far we are extemely happy. Had a 2000 Venture, and this is much more fun. MPG is not quite as good, but we are around 20 MPG for her work commute. Look forward to some summer travel. Wifes back bothers her and the supportive seats really help her.

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  Fun! - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Golf26guy - May 19 - 11:27 pm

  I was going to buy a Corvette, and have a second vehicle for a daily driver. That was all until I drove my 3/SS TrailBlazer. I have driven many rental car regular TrailBlazers, and the difference is amazing. You wouldnt think youre in the same manufacturers vehicle. Word of advice, if you buy one, do not put a straight pipe on it, way way too loud. Gas mileage stinks, but its a 6.0 V8. Its very fun to drive on the twisties, but not as fast as I initially thought. Cant beat a Mustang GT, or a Z28, however it does accelerate hard, and shifts very hard - I really like that part. Beat a 350Z, and any other SUV with the exception of the Jeep Grand Chrokee SRT8, and Cayenne Turbo. Overall, I absolutely LOVE it! Cant complain.

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  Great little car! - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Cheryl - May 19 - 8:17 pm

  I have owned this car for 2 years (bought used) and have had no major problems. It handles very well even in the snow, and has a ton of spunk. The gas mileage is unbelievable, I get 28/city, 35hwy! Super fun to drive, nice tight steering and lots of acceleration, great sound system and convertible is perfect in the summer!

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  High-Tech ... But Still Some Retro! - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By tknrg - May 19 - 5:19 pm

  The "TBSS Experience" is as close as youre going to come today to getting a true sense of the good old glory days of the historic "Chevy SS" muscle cars of the 60s and early 70s! This vehicle not only recreates the feeling of the "SS power cruisers" of the past - - but it has handling, ride, comfort, and convenience features that go well beyond most vehicles (car, SUV, or truck) on the road today, especially in its price-range. This is an all- around, truly fine, American-made, limited production vehicle! Pretty spectacular all-around!

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  Great Family SUV - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Great Family vehicle - May 19 - 3:22 pm

  We bought this vehicle with the birth of our first child (three children later) and it has been all we have needed as a family vehicle. I refuse to do the mini-van even though gas mileage would be better but, I wouldnt change our decision for a second. 80k miles later and it still starts and runs like the first day we bought it. Just keep up with regular maintance and I plan to drive it till it dies.

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  1st Tahoe of many more! - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By SUVmebaby - May 19 - 3:00 pm

  I love my new Tahoe! The ride and styling are awesome! Rides better than the car I traded. I have an LT3 with the Z71 package. I considered the LTZ, but felt I was getting a lot of expensive features that dont add much resale value. Save yourself the $2K for 20" wheels on the LTZ and get the Z71s 18 inchers. The Z71 also has all the chrome accents of an LTZ. I agree with another post that the Active Fuel Mgmt is a gimmick, but E85 is awesome. So what if mileage goes down, the fuel is cheaper and Made in the USA!

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  2008 Cobalt LT - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Ogiee - May 19 - 2:19 pm

  It is a nice car. Going from a Sierra to a Cobalt was a jump, but it handles well and is comfortable. I got many features for the money I spent. Well worth the price of the vehicle.