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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  Still fond of this SUV after one year - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By Craig - April 16 - 2:23 pm

  I have enjoyed this vehicle very much, especially during the summer of 08 when gas hit $4.00 a gallon. It rides very well, has lots of room and is quiet after 45,000 miles. I have had it in for extra service 3 times due to the hybrid transmission failing - first the modulator, then the transmission itself, then the modulator again. Fortunately the failures occurred close to home and the dealer was terrific in getting it repaired quickly. I am willing to put up with the hassle to get the excellent mileage for a full sized SUV.

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  Good small SUV - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By dobguy1 - April 16 - 2:01 pm

  This has been a pretty practical SUV. I have enjoyed it though I dont drive a whole lot, it is dependable and kind of fun to drive. It has a power button which my son calls a thruster.

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  Very Happy With My Chevy Uplander - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Elaine - April 16 - 1:11 pm

  My husband and I have always owned a Chevy and we have been very happy with them. I am 64 years old and I love my Chevy and I know it will last me for a long time.

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  Awesome HHR with Nitto Tires - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By gkarr1 - April 16 - 11:17 am

  This car was absolutely the best car I have ever owned. I could not believe the value packed into this car. There is no one out there that can go head to head with the HHR on price, performance, you name it. I sold it recently to buy a Chrysler Crossfire, to be honest I wish I had my HHR back. Dont get me wrong the Crossfire is awesome, but with the 18" rims and 40 series Nittos that HHR handled as well as any car I have ever driven. I honestly cant say much of anything negative except they need more cup holders for the driver. I had the 175hp version of the 4cyl. engine. I think back, my 1984 Mustang GT had 175hp. I have to laugh now looking back. I want the SS!

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  It works for me & my jobs - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Cedric - April 16 - 10:50 am

  Ive had this car for about a year now with next to no problems. I was just use to driving SUVs until I tried sedans especially in the winter and it is great. In my line of work this car can really get up to speed when needed. The only problem was with the dash board instrumentation.

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  Good but not the best - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By G. Young - April 16 - 9:50 am

  Since I own my Impala SS, it rates high on the fun level but med on the design level. The seat risers had to be replaced,along with the steering shaft. I had computer issues the remote start, starting distance was reduced down to about 5 feet from well over a 100 feet when I first bought the car. But outside of the little minor glitches the car is really fun to drive and own. Gas miliage is no where near what it was rated. But I have learned to use cruise control more and less foot. I still love the car.

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  Great Value! - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Ilkster - April 16 - 4:14 am

  This car is a great value for the price. It has excellent reliablity and is a great commuter car. I do a lot of driving and this car is perfect for it. It has a nice European stling and look to it. Would recommend it for someone that does alot of driving.

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  I love my truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dhvacwiz - April 16 - 1:30 am

  This is the nicest truck I have owned, and I have had many over the years. It is comfortable on long trips,quiet and rides well. Average 14mpg includes road trips,local driving and aprrox. 20% towing Motorcycles. I also use this truck for work daily. It carries the additonal weight and maintains handling and ride. The 4 wd has come in handy with this years snow. Power is good too.

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  Bad experience - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Rachel Goodman - April 15 - 5:42 pm

  I thought I loved my car. I have now owned it about 8 months. The paint is chipping, my power steering has gone out, the traction was horrible this winter, and when more than 1 window is down there is a suction almost. There are several things that I do like, but I dont believe my vehicle should be having problems yet and I am upset, thats why I bought a new vehicle, to not have problems for reliability.

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  2007 HHR LT - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Rodney Duggar - April 15 - 2:41 pm

  I had admired the HHR for some time and finally took the plunge. Its a great car with everything you could want. Styling is exceptional, its fun to drive, its comfortable with great mileage. When I test drove the vehicle I have to admit I felt a bit claustrophobic what with the huge windshield pillars and dark tinted glass but soon got used to it. The large mirrors compensate quite well for any blind spots. My only complaints are the front brake rotors are too light for the car and front end needed work at 29,000 miles (which the dealer performed under warranty). Overall, I am thrilled with the car.