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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  Eh... - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By princessbanana - June 8 - 4:50 pm

  This car was just ok. Purchased at 63,000 miles. Heater and air conditioner went out within first year of owning it. Tires went bald fast, needed to fill with oil every two weeks after it hit 70,000 miles. No "get up and go". Forget about good gas mileage. Needed new transmission as soon as I hit 101,000. Automatic windows work only when they want to. Back window motor went out. I put almost half as much in to this car as I paid for it. Dont count on this car lasting over 100,000 miles. Save your money. Buy a Honda or a Toyota.

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  Just Meh - 2017 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Nancy - June 8 - 5:41 am

  After owning a traverse, I find the equinox to be a disappointment. It struggles badly in eco mode. Its barely comfortable and mileage should be much better for a 4 cylinder vehicle. If you buy one of these, make sure you buy an extended warrantee .

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  What a car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By puck - June 7 - 4:15 pm

  Bought it used from and old couple with only 20,000 miles. Thought what a great deal. Had to got to the dealership 3 times for recalls that take 3-5 hrs at a time. Got everything standard nothing special. Stereo quits, cds get stuck. The seals on the doors and windows like to come off. I found out the car I paid $15,000 for a year later was only worth $2,600, now even less. Can we fix the funny sounds when you can barely hear the radio over the wind while on the freeway. I love my car but by now all the bugs shouldve been worked out.

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  2000 Zr2 2000 Problems - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By 2000zr2 2000problems - June 7 - 12:38 pm

  So much for built like a rock. This truck has been nothing but problems. The front end suspension can not handle the 31 inch tires. Spending 200- 300 bucks just to pass a sticker every year is stupid. Weak Transmision. Starting to slip at 80,000. Interior rattles like it is going to fall apart. Bad third door hinge design. I have had it fixed 3 times at a dealer and it still rattles a month later. I love the push 4x4 controls. Body Control Mod. went, 700 bucks fixed that problem. Great exterior looks. Paint chips easy. Gas gauge stoped at 65,000.

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  Rattler - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By RattleRide - June 7 - 10:00 am

  Several months after my purchase, I noticed rattling noise while driving. Sometimes I think the doors are going to fly open. Not a peaceful roadtrip vehicle!

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  poor seat design, clunking drivetrain - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Barry Cogut - May 28 - 10:00 am

  the title says it all. Poor low back support with the adjustable lumbar support too high for me and not height adjustable. Poor padding in the aft portion of the lower cushion and the rear end or driveline clunks loudly when shifting 1st to 2nd 2nd to third or downshifting much of the time. Told this was normal. Also rough idle sometimes and unusual sounds at idle. Told this was normal for a chevy not by selling dealer but by others.

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  Transfer Case and Transmission replaced - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By NNN from DC - May 28 - 9:30 am

  After driving 87,000 freeway miles in 3 years, the transfer case and transmission went out at the same time. So much for being built to last. Not certain if I will ever buy American again as our qualilty can not compete!

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  American Cars are Meant for the Road - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By NewDadAgain - May 17 - 1:17 pm

  Initially the dealership gave us a lemon. After letters to Corporate HQ the dealership was forced to "de-lemon" this vehicle. After these few months of pure regret weve driven this car all over. From mid-west to parts of the south and regular trips to New England. This is an American car built for the road. This car has about 145,000 miles and counting and runs like a charm!! Drive and American car where its supposed to be and itll treat you right!! Ive owned Oldsmobile, Chrysler, Chevy, Cadillac.

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  GM through and through - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Bret - May 17 - 1:05 am

  I needed a car that I could drive and get some of my money back after a couple of years. This car stickered at $36000 new and I thought I got a good deal with all the rebates. Here it is two years later and it is only worth $14000 in good condition. Ridiculous! Last American car I will ever own. The interior looks like a first grader made it in a class project. All the weather stripping around the doors is falling off, the radio has been replaced twice( I dont know why I even bothered the thing stunk to begin with), the bumper covers are warping, funky smell from the vents and the cheap chrome sticker that they call a grill is is peeling off. Volkswagon Touareg here I come.

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  Disappionted - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By RKG - May 16 - 1:41 pm

  I bought this vehicle when it was 9 months old with 17,000. The mileage is now 51,000. I have spent considerable amount of money on repairs. Too many things to list. Everytime I go in for an oil change, they find another $500 worth of stuff. I just spent another $868. This vehicle has not been used to tow anything or for off road. The gas mileage is terrible. I just filled up and checked and I am getting 15.5 mpg. The only reason I keep it is because it is paid for!