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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  Wouldnt Buy Again - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By biga6462 - May 14 - 6:11 pm

  I would sell this thing but there are no other trucks that look good to me at the time. I love the looks of the truck and handling, but there is so many other things that make me sick about this vehicle. After looking at the internet all of my problems are shared by many others. Here are some of the issues I have had with the truck. Fuel Purge valve had to be replaced and relocated because it was placed in an area where dust affected its performance, the rear back glass leaks water after a rain, the speakers rattle in the door, the dash and door trim rattles, the door trim has come apart, the brakes overheat, pulsate, and leak DOT fluid. A complete piece of junk in my opinion

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  Very disappointed! Stay away. Visit Ford. - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By upstatenydave - May 12 - 10:37 pm

  I would stay away from this model until Chevy fixes serious defect in build quality. I bought my truck about a month ago. On test drive before signing paperwork I mentioned to the salesperson a loud humm at speeds over 30 mph. We thought it was tires breaking in. Well, after a month of aggrevating noise, took it back to dealer. Service states something in rear was over torqued and bearings need replacing. At 1900 miles!!!! So now, my truck has been in dealer shop for a week because Chevy claims part is on "back order"!!!! This is a new truck! Meanwhile Ive got work that I cant get done. If Chevy is reading this my case number is 711251316207

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  No Resale Value - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By anothergmidiot - May 9 - 10:00 am

  The TrailBlazer as well as all GM vehicles has no resale value. The vehicle that you paid $30000 18 months ago is now only worth $17000 in excellant condition.

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  towing - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ray salle - May 6 - 12:33 am

  it can be towed with your motor home

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  2000 Tahoe Burns Mobil 1 - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By SmokinTahoe - May 4 - 3:23 pm

  Purchased a 2000 Tahoe new, was going to try and keep for 10 years. It has been using a quart of oil every oil change, and now up to about a quart every couple months poor GM, I guess they desire for the others guys to un-plug the life support.

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  Decent car, but lacking in some areas - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Joe Broge - May 3 - 1:33 pm

  I bought this car used with 73k miles on it after my old Hyundai got totalled. Since the Prizm/Corolla has a reputation for reliability I thought it was a safe bet. Overall the car has always gotten me where I needed to go and it has never stranded me anywhere. Unfortunately a few aspects of the car bring the whole thing down. Shortly after I bought the car the A/C stopped working. The A/C compressor had gone bad and the whole system needed replacing to the tune of $1800.

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  WHERES MY TRANSMISSION ? - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By cmp glsn - May 2 - 10:00 am

  At 35,000 miles I lost reverse, second and my overdrive gears. The GM technician commented that there were problems like mine in the GM trucks that have identical transmissions. At 74,000 miles it fails again. Now here I sit, thinking GM will stand behind their product. WRONG!!! I asked GM if they are able to build a transmission that could last more than 35,000 miles...they laughed at me. I work for Goodyear/Gemini and you only have one shot with your customer. GM blew it!!! I would never treat my customers this way if I knew they felt uncomfortable with any product or service that I sold. BUY TOYOTA!!! Your best deal is great service, not a great price.

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  Quality Issues Already - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Unhappy Owner - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I purchased an 03 Silverado 3 days ago & already its at the shop. A vacuum assist pump is continually running making a very load noise from behind the dash. The dealer says they cant do anything & that this noise annoys their mechanics also. Numerous mechanics have complained about this noise, but Chevy corporate has done nothing. Good old American engineering! It’s been 21 years since my last Chevy & the experience is starting out like the last one (bad!). Also, had a paint problem upon delivery. If Chevy keeps this up there will be many unemployed Chevy workers looking for jobs at 711.

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  2005 Colorado- Not what I expected - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Terri McGinnis - April 29 - 9:31 am

  Fuel mileage less than expected with 5 engine. I have had too many issues for a new truck. The air conditioning is not very strong, air flow. The interior is very cheap, and cheap looking. The cloth on the front seat is puffing up, of course it is still under warranty, but the whole reason to purchase a new vehicle, is so you dont have to go in for repairs. The truck is not at all what I was expecting. Very disspointed in the truck.

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  More rifinement needed - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Harris - April 28 - 6:13 am

  I bought a new 2016 Camaro with the I4 turbo engine. Great power for a 4 cyl. Only problem I have is the constant cluck in front end driving over cracks in the road. GM needs to refine this. Sounds like a cheap import. Test drove a mustang and they dont have that noise in their suspension.