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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  Great Car - Want another one - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Wendy Gale - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Test drove several luxury cars and then the Impala. Fell in love with it immediately. The car has power to get up the road when needed, even just for showing off. I love how sporty it looks with the spoiler on the trunk. The leather interior is the only way to go. It was comfortable to drive on a long trip. The controls for the AC/Heat/Defrost are simple and easy to understand, not the new computerized type. The "official" color is Capucino Frost Metallic. It is definitely not white. If I ever decide to sell or trade this in or even buy another vehicle, I will get the Impala SS in Red, with tan leather interior. The price is excellent for all that you get.

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  great car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By loydw - July 10 - 6:23 pm

  excellent, great power and gas milage, speed hold on hills even with 4 adults.

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  Thank You GM - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By Jeff & Rosa H - July 10 - 2:00 am

  We are on our 2nd Astro, our first is a 1988 Astro LT. The 4.3L engine is one of the best.I fix cars for a living and this is the van for my family.

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  my tracker - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By carole lentz - July 10 - 2:00 am

  I love this car.I have never enjoyed any car as much as this one.I would reccomend it to everyone.

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  Better than other 4dr trucks! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By AV wolf - July 10 - 2:00 am

  We were looking 4 a "family" type vehicle. Had leased Suburban&looked @ Ford F150 4dr.Was nice.Then went back 2 Chevy 2 see what they had in similar price range. Tried their Silverado, but salesman/finance guy pointed out price of Avalanche. Being very happy with leased Burban, we were impressed with suspension and overall ride/handling of it!A great find!Had always liked the boxyness of its styling but thought would be priced higher than average 4drs. Picked out an Arrival Blu WITH "armour" pakage and have never looked at another truck since! By the way, 2 Loren Guinn 7/03, plastic mouldngs ARENT tacky & has prevented many a dents in parking lots a

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  THE BEST VEHICLE IVE EVER OWNED! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By GARY61 - July 10 - 2:00 am

  45 yrs. OF OWNING MOST OF THE TYPE OF CARS AND TRUCKS THAT I LIKED AND COULD AFFORD, THE AVALANCHE IS THE BEST OF THE BEST. BEFORE I BOUGHT THE AVALANCHE I HAD A FORD F-150 4-WD EXT. CAB AND I LOVED THAT TRUCK VERY MUCH, TOO, BUT THE AVALANCHE FILLED A PLACE IN MY HEART THAT NO OTHER TRUCK COULD HAVE DONE. ITS THE BEST OF TWO WORLDS, ITS A TRUCK WHEN I NEED IT TO BE AND ITS AN SUV WHEN I WANT IT TO BE AND WITH ALL OF THE COMFORT OF A FINE LUXURY CAR. THE RIDE IS OUTSTANDING AND ROOMINESS IS GREAT FOR FAMILY AND HAS PLENTY OF STORAGE CAP. I WOULDNT HESITATE TO BUY ANOTHER ONE.

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  My kickin ride - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rudy Valderrama - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Handles very well, looks awesome, and most importantly the ladies stick to you like glue. Interior is beautiful and has very soft comfortable leather. rides smooth, no complaints what so ever. Outstanding veichle!

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  Love this car!! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By micpick - July 9 - 4:33 pm

  Purchased the end of January 2010. Put a little over 1000 miles on it so far. It has plenty of power for the driving I do (mostly surface streets/some freeway). Display says Im averaging 23 mpg. I havent done a road trip with it yet. Hoping gas mileage will improve, but even if it doesnt, I am completely satisfied with this car! Its very roomy and comfortable(the initial attraction for us)and not too high off the ground for my elderly mother-in-law to get in. Settled for black color because this vehicle is hard to find and I didnt want to wait to order one! Looks good, rides good, and I drive every chance I can get. I love this vehicle!

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  I Love My Car!!! - 1998 Chevrolet Metro
  By New Mommy cries - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car solely due to its low price back in 1998. Since that time I have put on 82000miles & have had no problems, I love my car. I have been in 2 accidents once in the front and once in the rear and both left no damage on myself or my car. The gas mileage is amazing even with the A/C running. I find I often shock those next to me at lights because I am not the last one out. You would think this 3 cyl engine would drag, but I have never experienced this. I hate to have to get rid of this car, but it is not compatable to car seats going in and out. ohh Have I mentioned I love my car. It is the most under rated car that has ever been sold.

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  best chevy so far - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By donny190 - July 9 - 2:00 am

  i have been a chevy person since i was a teen and i used to own a chevy s10 blazer. i loved the ride and when i went to the gm over drive event i test drove a suburban i feel in love i hate how these new suvs are light and dont have a the weight to make the ride nice and smooth and this does perfect. since my kids play soccer i travel alot and the dvd player is a god send and when i go to the shore i can really enjoy the xm radio and the kids can watch what they want.