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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  power steering troubles - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By craig dixon - January 23 - 1:39 am

  I have a 2002 1500 4x4 ext cab with about 140000 miles in it the problem is with steering with about 75000 miles the power steering pump broke put a new one on it and worked fine but about 10000 to 10010 miles the pump started making a lot of noise a it would lock up when turning then it started pulling to the left the front end is still in good alignment no tire wear if you are seating still a let go of steering wheel it will turn to the left by itself .I have put a new gear box in that did not help so I put a new pump on it still pulls to the left and is hard to steer. Does any one have same problem or know what to do to fix this besides selling it 7-9-16 Iput a new gear box on it and a new pump the streering is a little tite buts works better I think it might have been the way the front end was sietting to low I rased it it feels better now

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  These are great cars - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By toyotadude - January 22 - 8:08 pm

  Bought it at 32,000 miles in 04 and I have done nothing to it except change oil, and brakes. The only thing I dont like about it is it can get noisy on the highway, and just a little vibration comes on the highway only if you go above 80mph or something. Transmission in this car should get an award in comfort for shifting. Much better than Nissan or Hondas.

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  Like It Not Love It - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Hammer Time - January 22 - 2:20 pm

  Great truck if you dont need or want a full size truck. I had a S10 with a 4.3 V6. This 5cyl has plenty of go power but I miss the engine braking. When you back off the gas it coast on and on. Im afraid this will wear the brakes out sooner. The frame is much stifer and the ride on this 4x4 with the Z71 package is better then what I had with the 2wd S10.

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  Chevy Does It Again!!! - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Shigemi Pebley - January 22 - 1:16 pm

  I enjoy my sisters 2003 Tahoe, but wanted something a little smaller. This TrailBlazer is a dream come true. Chevy did it again!!! I purchased a 2005 TrailBlazer LS (w/ additional options) last month, and it is the best vehicle that I have ever purchased!!!

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  Hot Chevy Cavalier - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By John - Erie,Pa - January 22 - 12:53 pm

  This car has been very fun to drive from when I got it in Dec 6 2004. It was the last fully loaded model Ls sport and I love this car. Great gas mileage and very sporty and upgradable if you are into that stuff. The 2.2L Ecotec engine is the best engine in this Cavalier, and I owned 3 Cavaliers.

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  OK Car - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By ayadre26 - January 22 - 10:22 am

  I traded in the my 2002 Chevy Tracker in for this car for more room, better performance and less problems for my family. At first I was happy, now Im having all kinds of problems with this car. From replacing all 4 brakes, rear rotors, computer malfunction,bad battery when the indicator said it was good, 2 fuel injector failure, replacing a converter, and now every once in a while the security message come the message display. Tech said to watch, might not be anything. Other than these things the car has been OK. Would have like an armrest for my right arm. I do love the design of the car. Might not buy this car again.

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  I love this car. - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SS owner - January 22 - 1:11 am

  Although gas mileage isnt ideal, you will have so much fun driving this car that it more than makes up for the gas. I will never sell my SS.

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  A Classic - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By 4CHVY - January 22 - 12:43 am

  105K miles on it and the only major repair was a water pump, o2 sensor and serpentine belt. Still looks cool. I still get compliments and offers to buy it.

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  Best Bang for Buck - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Scottsdale Tiger - January 21 - 11:43 pm

  This is the fastest stock production car I have ever driven off the vendor lot and the most fun. I have had Porsches, Ferarri, and various old muscle cars which just do not compare to the overall power plus daily fun to drive performance of this car. I keep reading about plastics, cheap interior, doesnt compare to Porsches, Ferarris, Lambos, etc. Give me a break! Its half the price or less! There is no other car I have owned which comes close to what this car can do for the money spent. This really is the car with the best bang for the buck. I would purchase another if I did not have to wait another 10 months again just to pay premium over MRSP.

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  Family Sedan - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By MANCHEVY - January 21 - 5:10 pm

  Well we have had this car since new June 1994 and still running today as new in Jan 2007. That is saying something. It was even totaled in a wreck back in 1996, but it was fixed well and still continues to run like a top. I have since put in a K&N air filter, hi performance igntion wires, 16 inch chrome Gm alloy wheels, synthetic oil by Mobil and has seen over 200 hp, and will go with duel exhaust. ACworks well, heat works. All dash and interior lights work and body is still solid with a couple of dents and some paint chipping, but still kept like factory. I have added foglamps, neons, and wind deflectors. Will add other mods later.