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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  High cost and frequent maintenance - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By knd911 - March 25 - 5:48 pm

  I bought this vehicle to help me get through the winter times and I quickly found out my little Elantra handled the winter better than this truck. Every scheduled maintenance costs at least $500 and these are supposed minor parts parts like turning signal, battery cable, gas gauge. The fuel economy is not the best as expected.

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  Great Car - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Ron - March 25 - 4:18 pm

  The 1997 Camaro RS is a very reliable car. Ive had no problems mechanically or cosmetically. All it takes is some great care to keep any car in great shape. Definitely recommend this Camaro.

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  Malibu LS V6 - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By DA - March 25 - 11:05 am

  Excellent care for the money. You can catch this car used for a reasonable and fair price. It is much improved as compared to previous Chevrolet vehicles i have owned. I was considering Toyota or Honda...but overall I am equally satisfied with the new Chevrolet Malibu LS V6.

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  Definitely a 10 - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Lipps - March 25 - 11:02 am

  I owned a beautiful white 2005 coupe with Z51 and 6 speed manual and put over 6000 miles on it before I decided I really needed a convertible. Although the Z51 was a monster, it was still very pleasant to drive, and a lot of fun when pushed to the limit. Then I bought this beautiful black convertible with 6 speed paddle shift auto and magnetic select ride. Wow .. what a difference! As smooth riding as a Cadillac with performance like the Z51 .. and bonus - 25 mpg! This Corvette is the first car I have ever bought, and I have owned many, that is absolutely perfect. The difference between this Corvette and the last one is like the difference between .. well, black and white!

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  It is a fun and snappy car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By randydriver - March 25 - 9:50 am

  I have had my car for over a year now and it has been a joy to drive. It has lots of room and it handles very good. Since I have got it broken in the mileage has vastly improved and I am quite happy. My in town mileage started of at about 27mpg and after the break in period it is now 29-31. Highway mileage went from about 35 to 37-40 mpg.

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  Converted Jeep owner - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By robert bratek - March 25 - 6:58 am

  Drives and rides like a large car. W use it instead of our car 90% of the time. If driven sensably we get 22mpg on long trips(55mph).

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  Love my Equinox - 2013 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Audy - March 25 - 6:38 am

  Very nice suv gas saver driving dynamic i love this Chevrolet nice styles

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  Love my truck - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Randi - March 25 - 5:36 am

  This 7 year old truck has electrical problems in dash. Unable to view gear shifter, odometer, already replaced once. Also, gas guage went belly up at 6 years. Still love the truck. Good ride, good mileage, good towing, never broke down, good looking. Light in the backend, have to use sandbags.

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  Fun vehicle and feels big - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By TD - March 24 - 7:02 pm

  I bought it used because this one was in new condition, still is. It has most of what I wanted, but this particular vehicle needs traction control aka positraction. Its hard to get started fast from a stop without a lot of wheelspin. I just installed some wider 18" wheels and tires which might help. The gas mileage is poor but no worse than other Tahoe models. We use it for recreation mostly because we didnt really need to buy it. When we have a day off or two thats the car we take on trips. I still like the style better than the 2007 model which looks like the HD Chev PU with a Ford Expedition hanging on the back. Also I like the interior more than the 2007.

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  Best Vette Ive ever owned - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Lonna - March 24 - 12:26 pm

  This is my 3rd, I had a 93, 04 and now this 05. The comfort in this car has been greatly improved, not to mention horse power and overall handling. The new exhaust system have a perfect, deep sound to it, and I appreciate the fact they went back to having the 6sp manual as standard.