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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  My 94 C4 - 1994 Chevrolet Corvette
  By hew - February 10 - 2:00 am

  Great handling car. As I get older it is harder to get in and out of. It is still a bliast to drive. Seems like the little annoying things are starting to break. Power seats, CD player. The leather enterior could be better quality.

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  That Car that grows up with you!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Now A Mom - February 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought my first cavalier in 97, and it lasted for 7 years with no major mechincal repair. So when it was time to grow up and turn in my two cute car for a bigger and more adult car. My first choice was the cavalier. It still has a grown up look, without screaming "Im a mom". I trust this make and model, and will continue to business with them if when my now 2 year old gets her license. (watch out world)

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  Hot Rod CHEVY TRUCK - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Tom Cull - February 10 - 2:00 am

  The 2500HD is most powerful vehicle Ive ever owned. I ordered the 8.1 Vortec with an Allison 5 speed automatic transmission, 2WD, 3.73 rear end and still get a respectable 15.5 mpg. It pulls my 3,500 lb. bass boat like its not even there. This truck is extremely powerful and fun to drive. Ive owned at least a dozen pickup trucks and this is by far my favorite. I highly recomend this truck to anyone that wants a truck with hot rod performance.

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  I Luv My Tahoe - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By andersonsr - February 10 - 2:00 am

  We just bout this Tahoe used a few weeks ago and I LOVE it. We traded in our 97 Monte Carlo for in and WOW what a change. I have never owned a SUV before but now will never go back to a car. It has tons of get up and go for the highway but also is good in town. Love the Auto 4X4. Must be the best ever!

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  Incredible value for the money - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Robert from Arizona - February 10 - 2:00 am

  Love it! Carefully consider what else you can get for the same price, and youd have to be crazy to buy anything else. Extreme value. Performance is excellent, extremely safe. I drove it across the Mojave desert and loved every minute of it. Dealership was courteous and easy to deal with, and is a very strong credit to the Chevrolet name. Their service, and the Chevy Tahoe is why real Americans still buy American.

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  Great Buy - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By KSCHEVYMV - February 9 - 2:00 am

  I have no regrets about purchasing this vehicle. I paid a lot less than what a Odyssey or Caravan would have cost. Drives great, is reliable and very roomy - especially the trunk. I only wish I had purchased the Warner Bros option package. Great buy for the money.

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  AVALANCH Z-71 - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By ELIJAH - February 9 - 2:00 am

  OVERALL,I AM VERY HAPPY WITH MY AVALANCH ONLY ONE THING NAGS ME. ITS A VIBRATING NOISE I CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHERE ITS COMING FROM. IT COULD BE FROM FROM THE VEHICHELS MUFFLER AND OR BOTTOM PROTECTIVE PLATES.

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  Great Car - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Cat - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used 3 moths ago from a dealer in Ohio. Ive had no problems with it. i drive it school daily and its amazing at how many people have this car.

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  sure to buy another just like it - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By sammccombie - February 8 - 2:00 am

  fuel economy fair 19.5-20.0 combined 28000 mile with zero problems or complaints

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  A step up - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ben - February 7 - 2:00 pm

  I previously owned a 95 3/4 ton extended cab, 01 1/2 ton extended cab, and now a Z71 Silverado extended cab. This is by far the quitest, best riding of the three. Chevy just keeps getting better. I would enjoy a more attractive interior on the next model I purchase. I love the stereo system (Bose), but it is an option, not standard.