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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  2002 Astrovan - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By Jed Depew - July 16 - 11:28 am

  I purchased an Astrovan due to its vast cargo capacity and some advice from a mechanic I know. While the engine and drive train has been good it seem likes everything else has a problem. Small things break on a regular basis and are a pain to repair. Door handles, door locks, rear seats, windshield, lights front and rear, etc.

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  Storms S-10 CrewCab - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Storm Gage - July 15 - 1:53 am

  I just had the transmission and rear differential replaced - total cost $3100.00 I put it in reverse the other day and it sounded like a grenade went off. I couldnt believe this American and union built car needed all this work done and the vehicle is only 4 1/2 years old - quite surprising.

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  Zero confidence - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Hayhoe Family Holt - July 10 - 1:47 pm

  I purchase the brand new vehicle in Sept. 99. By Dec. 99 it had been towed away a total of 3 times transmission short, faulty transmission ball bearing, faulty EFI. At 44,000 miles faulty manifold gasket. Poor fit and trim with small items breaking off, and the vehicle loves to rattle. I am still afraid to drive this, but have limited options.

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  Z28 - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By ep - July 6 - 7:52 pm

  Have 133,000 miles on it. I have owned this car since it had 55,000 miles on it. So far I have had to replace the fuel pump - twice, power steering pump, catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, and clutch. Right now the car is at the shop because it turned off on me suddenly on the freeway. The mechanic shop does not know what it wrong with it yet and has already racked a $1200 bill with the problem yet to be determined. If you want a reliable car stay away from this one. The acceleration might be OK, but in the long run, its not worth the price.

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  Average midsize car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By davidwli - July 6 - 2:41 am

  I purchased my 05 4 months ago. Ive been in for repairs for 3 items 1/ Loose front left strut that was replaced. 2/ Shifter assembly was replaced , the manual shift mode was inoperative. 3/ Rattling sound in the steering column, Its true that GM says they do not have an effective repair yet for this problem. Hopefully the car will be reliable from now otherwise I will sell it when the warranty expires. I decided to buy the Malibu and save the 4 to 5 thousand dollars over what a comparable 05 import would have cost. The car is a great deal used but I wouldnt buy it new as the depreciation is high.

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  Below Average - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By thestuff - June 27 - 11:56 am

  Poor buy on my end. The metal around the gas cap is already bubbling, front wheel bearing and idle control sensor has also gone out on me. Also had a problem with the Dexcool in it turning to sludge and, as a result, looks like I might have to replace an intake manifold gasket. Gas mileage is great for this car, but the bad far outweighs the good. It can be peppy at times but it just feels cheap and based on the money Ive invested in it, Id say its not worth even looking at one of these cars.

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  Deceptive car - 2015 Chevrolet Sonic
  By CRYSTAL - June 26 - 6:44 pm

  Cannot lower the front of the driver seat nor tilt the headrest after 3 years Ive replaced half of everything that makes the car run water pumps $200 fan assemblies hoses belts air intakes metal lines after 3 years a car should not have to have this much work done where I live the speed limit does not get over 55 miles per hour my car still looks brand spanking new but is falling apart

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  No More GM (Gouge Me) - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Wade Petrishen - June 24 - 5:55 pm

  Have replaced by 50000 miles: steering rack, steering pump, LF hub, cyl head gaskets, intake manifold gaskets NEEDS replacing: electronic level control shocks are leaking and should be replaced. Because of the exhorbitant cost I will probably convert the system, even though I like it, to a regular system.

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  Beware the Chevy - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Price - June 14 - 12:38 pm

  For 30k I was impressed. Until the fuel pump, transmission, a/c system, heater core, front end, water pump (for the 2nd time) all went out in the same month. 5 grand later my truck is running again. Come to find out this is typical for a Chevy, and all before 100k miles. Unfortunately all at once for us. I love the room, but the true cost to own sends me back to Toyota. Get it together Chevrolet, you might as well be a Ford.

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  American Trash - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ayoung - June 12 - 2:07 pm

  The V6 is strong but as with most American cars, it is poorly built. At 100,000 the intake manifold gasket went. I can already tell the transmission is living on borrowed time as it, like most American transmissions, cant make up its mind which gear it needs to be in. It also shifts hesitatingly. Fortunately this was a hand me down from my wifes parents and we have only had to pay for the repairs, not the car. I just wish the Americans could build something that lasts.