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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  New toy - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Cruz - May 7 - 6:00 pm

  I am still in AWE over the fact that a Crew Cab 4x4 w/ a 5.3L and 4.10 gears can get 15.5 MPG off the showroom floor.

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  Takes a lickin.. - 1995 Chevrolet Caprice
  By AmericanOwner - May 7 - 5:57 pm

  Bought this car in place of my 74 Caprice Classic (which was solid no problems). After buying this one from a lot, had a few basic maintenance probs but overall its been running solid ever sense. Has close to 200k miles and still rides better than most of my friends 2k late models.

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  Tonys 3rd and best Corvette - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Tonys 3rd Corvette - May 7 - 4:56 pm

  This is my 3rd Corvette 1993-C4, 1998-C5, and now 2008-C6-LT3. I got another all Black version with the LT3 package, 6sp manual, Navigation system, Z-51 handling package with dual exhaust system. I must be a masochist for getting black a third time but when clean nothing looks better. By far this is the best Corvette I have ever owned. The vehicle now really has the horse power to be called a Corvette. The handing is crisp and precise and the acceleration is enough to cause whiplash. I have installed some additions mesh grill, wild to mild exhaust controller, CAGS eliminator, iPod interface with HD radio and better rear speakers (Focals). Other than that I can see nothing else to change.

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  Best SS Ever - 1994 Chevrolet Impala
  By Svimburg - May 7 - 1:57 pm

  After ten years, my 94 Impala SS is still fun to drive and looks good. There is plenty of room for my family of five and all of our stuff fits easily into the Soprano-sized trunk. The acceleration is exciting and the roar of the iron block V-8 never fails to put a smile on my face. I was surprised to see on Edmunds that my car has retained 50% of its value since I bought 10 years ago! The car is very comfortable to drive around town or on a long road trip. Gas mileage is good. I get high teens in town and low 20s on the highway where I cruise at 70. I get the same mpg on a 2003 Honda Odyssey van that has a V-6 and 5 speed automatic.

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  TJs Cobalt - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By TJ - May 7 - 1:55 pm

  Just purchased 2008 LS Cobalt. Nothing fancy, just needed a new commuter for work. Driven mostly on hwy, getting 34mpg right now. With dealer and manufacturer incentives couldnt beat the price anywhere. If there is any "bad" to say about the vehicle it would be storage space Other than the glove box. There is virtually no place to put small things like glasses, pens, change, etc. Would be nice to have a center console arm rest too. But again Im not complaining when I can purchase a brand new vehicle these days for a little over $11,500. Sweet!

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  Nice SUV - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Joe - May 7 - 11:51 am

  We traded in a 2005 Saturn Vue because of our growing family. It is more comfortable, quieter, than the Vue. The Vue was much faster due to the Honda V6 that it had, and it was better on gas. For being rwd, the TrailBlazer did great in the snowy season we had in Detroit Michigan. We never got stuck, or slid off the road. We average 15mpg in the city, and 20mpg on the high way.

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  Not bad for a Mini Van - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Rhody Girl - May 7 - 9:55 am

  My husband and I bought this vehicle after having our first child. I liked it becaues it wasnt so Mini-Van- ish. Loved the equiptment included with the LT line, leather, DVD player sliding doors etc. going on 3 1/2 years of owning this the only problems reported are brakes, I travel 300 miles a week for work, before I reached 13k we had to replace the brakes and rotors 3 times. I think it was more of the dealerships fault than it was the car itself. Gas mileage is horrible. Even given the fact of how much the car is driven, it still is just horrible. Other than that, its a good transistion for anyone whos not just ready for a mini- van, it doesnt make you feel like you are in one.

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  No second guess on this buy - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Mark stalbird - May 7 - 3:23 am

  Had this truck for 8 months now and Im still surprised at the gas mileage. Best looking truck on the road. This much power for a 5cylinder? You have got to be kidding.

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  2003 Astro - 2003 Chevrolet Astro
  By Pilant - May 6 - 10:09 pm

  I bought this van to use on boat ramps to put my boat into and out of water. I have used it in Knoxville and around Douglas Lake. The van has been no farther than 50 miles from Knoxville. It was a program vehicle with 4000 miles when I bought it. I traded a 1994 Astro van I bought at West when I bought this one. It still runs like new as one would expect with such low mileage. West has serviced the vehicle twice per year since Ive owned it.

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  Great all-around vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By jc - May 6 - 4:45 pm

  Its been a great car for towing utility trailer, but just ok for 4000 lb boat. Had a great time on 4wd trails in co. Great family vacation mobile too!