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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  Venture rating - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By C Crabill - August 8 - 2:00 am

  We are really happy with our 1998 Venture. The mileage is great and the reliability has been great.

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  Just Fine - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By kggggd - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Never a problem, good economy, decent performance, great basic car. I compared Neons, Escorts, Focus and Civics. they either didnt fair as well or were priced too high.

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  Just Plain Great! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Gurliej25 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I have read other reviews about this car and it boogles my mind how people could dislike this car. I bought it with 6000 miles on it and havnt had a problem yet! I love everything about the cavalier, and am very dissapointed that 2004 was the last year for them. But i can gurentee I will always buy a chevy!

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  2004 Cavalier - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jen6374 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Hi this is my 3rd cavaler and my favorite drives awsome i just got it on August 5

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  Consider over an import - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By stevfonso - August 8 - 2:00 am

  For value, quality, performance and standard features in this price range this Malibu really stand out!

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  Best sports car for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Justin Robertson - August 8 - 2:00 am

  For the speed and reliability of the Corvette, you cant beat the price tag. Not only is it a great weekend car, but I drive it to and from work during the week. I have yet to have any problems with it. I only wish that the 2003 model had the option of a navigation system like the new 2005s have. The interior in general is mostly leather and plastic which isnt the greatest, but thats what all the car manufacturers are finishing the interiors off with. As far as American sports car price tags go Ford GT 145,000 and up: Dodge Viper $90,000: Chevy Corvette 45,000. You cant beat the price for what you get.

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  Sporty and Fun - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Robin Courtney - August 8 - 2:00 am

  We just purchased our 2004 Tahoe LT and are having a blast driving it. The dark green is always an eye-catcher. We have 2 very young children and live near lots of family. It is very roomy and comfortable. We had rented one to take to California for a month and felt very safe in it. We had rented a new Explorer the time before and did not like it. We are very very happy about our decision to purchase the Tahoe. There is no other way to travel. The Tahoe is the only way to go.

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  impala ss - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By CAMERON - August 7 - 2:00 am

  it is one of the best cars ever made im looking to buy more to love it

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  GREAT CAR-COMFORTABLE - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By DEBORAHTHOMAS - August 7 - 2:00 am

  I THINK I MADE THE RIGHT THING WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR.

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  best truck yet - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By thebigdog1 - August 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had 3 Explorers, 1 Wrangler and 1 Durango - this is by far the best SUV that I have owned. I thought it might be too large for daily driving, but that is not the case. Its too large for my garage, but thats a small price to pay with a truck like this.