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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  New and improved - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 2008 z51 - November 19 - 5:30 pm

  I traded in my 2005 C6 with z51 for a 2008 base model 6m with just the Z51 option. I purchased the new 2008 for just under 42k(thats around $800 under invoice. The new car is almost like a night and day difference. The new c6 has a much nicer interior, much tighter and quiter ride, much better shifting and steering and last, but not least, the power of the new engine. I can defenitely tell the difference in acceleration. I think Chevy under estimated the 430 horses to make a larger gap in horse power for the Z06. This new car is just simply amazing.

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  Most fun inexpensive coupe you can get! - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Brian - November 19 - 11:38 am

  Bought my Z24 for $3000 in Dec. 2006, and I have loved every minute of driving it. It has more horsepower and torque than any available new car less then $20,000. I get 30 mpg driving in city highway traffic to work. Takes corners very well. Seats are pretty well designed except maybe a little too firm. The plastic upholstry cracks pretty. Had to replace quite a few standard wear and tear parts after I bought it but no water pump yet. I couldnt ask for more from a $3000 car.

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  Awesome - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Ted - November 18 - 7:24 pm

  Traded my 03 Z71 with 100,000 and no problems and did not think the 07 could be better overall....but it is. Ride is a lot better, fuel economy better, handling better, features a lot better. What a fantastic piece of equipment again. This is the first time I have purchased the same vehicle for a second time.....fantastic.

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  The Best Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Paul Kim - November 18 - 4:00 pm

  I am glad I chose this truck over a Ford or a Dodge. I have never had any problems with it, and it has got good power, handling, and comfort. Chevy is right. This is the "Right Truck".

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  The Best Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Paul Kim - November 18 - 9:36 am

  I am glad I chose this truck over a Ford or a Dodge. I have never had any problems with it, and it has got good power, handling, and comfort. Chevy is right. This is the "Right Truck".

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  Solid Transportation (but also generic) - 1995 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Ben - November 18 - 2:06 am

  Overall, a solid car. Got the car at 95k miles, now at 150k. Great fuel mileage (~30MPG). Big repairs: alternator, heater coil. Then the normal stuff--brakes, tires, oil changes. All in all, a very solid car. Tends to start hard in the rain (probably needs plugs and wires), but it gets from A to B with no major hassles. Not a big fan of the interior--the round knobs on the sides of the dash are okay, but power window controls are mounted on the front of the center console! Beware the high beam switch my turn signal lever snapped off trying to get the switch to work. Paint is peeling, and all four wheels have rusted out now, meaning a trip to the junk yard for "new" rims.

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  Exceeded Expectations - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Itchy - November 17 - 11:03 pm

  I woke up last Thursday not expecting to have one in my garage that evening. Owned several Corvettes in my pre- family days, and an 03 Cobra in 2002. This 10 Camaro SS2/RS, sunroof, 6spd, Victory Red is nothing shy of amazing. It has every bit of the raw power that the 03 Cobra had (if not more) AND an excellent tech appropriate interior. Ive owned the car for 48 hours now and if I had to point out any weak link it would be a blind spot over the drivers left shoulder that will take some getting used to. Thats it! The car has turned SO many heads already, Ive lost track - except for that State Trooper!

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  It Drives and Drives - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Drives and Drives - November 17 - 2:26 pm

  Bought this is with 24K miles on it, 3.5 yrs later its at 115K+ and we have had very few complaints. Very reliable, comfortable, great mileage. Got from Raleigh NC to Allenton PA on one tank of gas, with a little to spare. Numerous long trips to the Midwest with no complaints and lots of comfort. Plenty of city driving, too. Basic extended model, no whistles and bells but it does the job. AC stopped working on level 5 this summer, and 4yrs old messed up the CD player with pennies, but other than a set of brakes and some new belts, tires, general maintenance, have been surprisingly happy with an American made vehicle. Would recommend it!

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  Maybe I had a Lemon - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Price0909 - November 17 - 10:39 am

  The car itself is sporty and the funtionability of the seating and space is great. The quality of material is not good, seat fabric stains when it rains, steering wheel material is ruff, radio back plate or whatever you want to call it is all warn off making the car look very very used. My car broke down since the first 500 miles I pick it up, and still is broken ever since then. Get stuck a lot. One more payment. Cant wait to give it back!

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  Huge improvement! - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By mark - November 17 - 6:26 am

  2008 Tahoe w/ 2LT. Compared to my 05 Yukon SLT, the new Tahoe is a huge improvement. Interior, specifically the dash, is now luxurious as opposed to looking like a cheap truck. Leather is much better quality. 3rd row seats still dont fold flat, have to manually remove. But now the 2nd row doesnt fold flat. They tumble forward to allow access to 3 row. Nice if you need it, but Id rather have the 2nd row fold flat like the older version that made the cargo area cavernous. Yukon was loud, lots of wind noise. This Tahoe is quiet and has a very smooth ride. Expert reviews complain its too soft and unresponsive. Ill take soft any day. Not doing slaloms in a 5500 lb trk. avg 16 mpg