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 Small Car - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By meomalley - January 25 - 9:48 am

  I purchased a base model Cobalt LS 4- door sedan as a commuter car to go from home to work. I have the automatic transmission, upgraded radio, and the side curtain airbags and ABS as primary options. I chose the Cobalt in part because a relative visited me and rented a new LT model that I drove a few times. I was quite impressed by the car. The Cobalt is extremely comfortable for me. Im 61" and the seating and drivng position is idea. Plus, after sitting in the car for a few hours on bad traffic days, Im not sore or uncomfortable. The car handles very competently and has good pep for a small 2.2L four cylinder. The car was very inexpensive to buy.

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  I really like this car! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Melissa - January 25 - 9:10 am

  I was looking for a car that would give me flexibility and seating for five without being an SUV. I found it in this vehicle.

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  Excellent truck but not perfect - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jocatch - January 25 - 8:36 am

  I owned a 1999 Tahoe and traded it in for the 2007. Although the new Tahoe is lightyears ahead of the 99, there are a few things that I would say are not quite as nice. The first thing are the engine gauges. In the 2007 they are alot smaller and harder to see. The gear shifter is very close to the stering wheel and I hit the wheel when I shift it. They radio will not play cassette tapes. However, the air conditioner in the 07 works alot better and you can aim the air where you want it. The Bose sound system sounds very good but doesnt seem to be as loud as the old radio. My truck came with Brigstone tires. I love the DIC. Sounds great when you get on it. I dont mind about the 3rd row seat.

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  An unrecognized gem of a car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Jerry - January 25 - 6:11 am

  I did my research on this vehicle before I purchased, so I knew what to expect. Great value for the money. I love the car, its lots of fun to drive and I highly recommend it. In regards to fuel economy, oddly the DOT estimates rate this car as 34mpg/24mpg. I have gotten 37 mpg highway and 33 mpg in mixed driving with the 5 speed manual transmission during the winter. I expect to get even better gas mileage during the warmer months. To maximize fuel economy, I would suggest to keep the tachometer at around 1,200-1,500 rpms when shifting gears, and accelerate smoothly, no jack rabbit starts. During highway driving, try to keep the speed between 55 and 60 mph and the tach around 2500 rpms.

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  Best of the full size vans - 2007 Chevrolet Express
  By Gary - January 24 - 8:58 pm

  We bought the Chevy van because we wanted a vehicle that could sit 11-12 people, the Dodge Sprinter cost twice as much and doesnt have the towing power. We rented several vans for diferent long distance trips and compared. We have two other vehicles that are Ford and are very happy with them but the Ford Van fell short against the Chevy for handling and safety. The Chevy has way way less top heavy sway. Ford hasnt updated there van for a while, the chevy rides soo much better and seems to have more interior room. Over-all we liked the Chevy better and decided to buy one. It also has a lot more room behind the rear bench for luggage. We average 12.3 MPG with the 6.0 ltr but can tow anything

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  Simply Amazed - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By VEGASDUDE - January 24 - 9:33 am

  After a lifetime of fast sports cars, I just totaled one, ouch!Decided Id get a bare bones econobox for cheap insurance, to tide me over til the new Camaro debuts. After looking at all the others I picked the Cobalt. I love this car! Fun to drive, decent power and mileage, plus it looks great in Victory Red. Love the tail lights! Lowered it with Eibach SportLines, bigger rims/BFG T/A KDWs, spoiler, full tint, sheepskins. Im gonna keep her as my daily driver after I get the Camaro. Highly recommended. Big bang for the buck ! Chevy, You won me back!

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  Its great - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By rick - January 24 - 7:06 am

  I get 15.5-15.9 mpg every time I fill up only got 5000 miles on it. It sounds good, unlike everyone else I like the height I plow, good truck, sounds good, looks good, and I get better gas mpg than the 05 f-150 I had. If you drive like a jerk you will get 11 mpg any normal person will get 15 mpg and I expect it to actually increase at 6000-8000 miles once engine is broken into. Dont drive like a jerk.

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  Great Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Mike B - January 23 - 9:16 pm

  I absolutely love this SUV. It is a comfortable as any I test drove. The only real draw back is the fact that the third row seat does not fold back, but that is not a huge problem for me. Other than that, this is an extremely fun SUV to drive, and is great in the city for such a big vehicle.

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  My family loves it - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Love it - January 23 - 7:19 pm

  We bought this truck for trips and moderate city driving. It has been great with a family of three and two large labs. My wife loves to drive it even though it seems like a very large vehicle. This is the best experience Ive had with a Chevy. I plan on driving it until the wheels fall off. We have had good luck with maintance. Currently it has 89000 miles.

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  Best Truck Ive Owned - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By James Hughes - January 23 - 12:13 pm

  I have owned and driven pickups for 30 years. This one is undoubtedly the best looking, handling, performing, and just best all-around truck I have ever owned or driven.