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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  BIG MISTAKE - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Michael A. Reniger - May 8 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle was a BIG mistake. I never should have purchased it! The salesman at Ocean City Chevrolet in Shallotte, NC. Was a LIAR! This vehicle is worthless in its resale & trade-in value. My suggestion would be to anyone looking to buy a Chev. Tracker, BY A FORD!

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  Manifold Gasket Failure - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By mariposaken - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Until now, Ive been pretty happy with my 1999 Chevrolet Venture LT. But on May 6, 02, I found out that the manifold gasket has failed & replacement gaskets are on a nation wide back order. Service at Anderson Chev. in Los Gatos, CA have no idea when the repair will be made. I have a rental car for the duration. I was told the manifold is made of aluminum & the engine block is made of cast iron. The two metals expand and contract at different rates stressing the manifold gasket. Long term prognosis: frequent manifold gasket replacement.

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  Tahoe, not all thats its cracked up to - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Fdatahoe - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had the Tahoe for almost 2.5 years and have replace 3 gaskets (100bucks),all 4 shocks (200bucks), a water pump(300 bucks), the leather seat is ripping and the breaks twice. I sure am glad I bought a Chevy. Oh yeah I still have a intermitent vibration in the steering which they can not find, not bad for a 3 year old POS

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  UPSET and discouraged in MD - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By madinmd - May 6 - 11:03 am

  Traded my 2007 Equinox model in for a 2011 LT1 two days ago (1/17). Drove the vehicle home w/ 63 miles. Drove to work the next a.m. and the check engine light came on 10 miles into my trip. Called onstar for diagnostics; found emmisions sensor problem and called the dealer, Adams Chevrolet, HdG, MD. Took the vehicle into the dealer and after waiting two hours i was told the emission sensor wire was stretched, they had to order a part. Drove a rental home. Called the dealer this evening, still not fixed; service told me GM shipped the wrong part. Spoke with Store Mngr who told me a different story. I AM VERY UPSET. MY opinion: "Stay away from Adams Chevrolet, Hdg, MD and 2011 Equinox."

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  TRANSMISSION - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By CAROL MONTOYA - May 1 - 2:00 am

  TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS,MEVERY YEAR, THE ELECTRICAL, GAS PEDAL STICKS, THE TIRES ARE FACTORY ONLY.

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  Dont Waste Your Money! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Jon Sarver - April 30 - 4:00 pm

  This car has been a lemon. It has 62,000 miles on it and we have had the water pump go out, a fuel pump fail, the real view mirror falls off, the back seat breaks. The interior is fraying and has been since 30,000 miles. The gas mileage is good on the open highway, but less than 18 miles per gallon in the city. The GM President admitted that the company cut corners the last several years in production. This car is a perfect example of numerous corners that have been comprormised to pay for expensive union health car and retirement.

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  Many problems - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By Victor - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought this van because of its size. This van has had many problems. Window switches replaced, door locks replaced, door opener replaced, calipers replaced, all these problems under 36,000 miles. Latest problem the differential had to be replaced at 38,000. Unheard of by many mechanics. GM would not pick up total cost to replace it. Only half. The executive office said since I didnt use the dealer to service it all the time, they would not help me. Why should I pay the deal 2 times the amount for a simple oil change.

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  chevy cruze - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By chris g - April 29 - 1:07 am

  I dont have much to say, to many recalls on this car. mpg average if you drive 55. Weak on power before turbo kicks in I gave chevy a chance and they failed me. They shouldnt have never gotten a bail out.

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  poortruck - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By walkingman - April 26 - 2:00 am

  just this year i have spent over $2000 on this vehicle. stuff like the intake gasket due to the poor selection of antifreeze by gm.,the pitman arm, the power steering pump, the water pump, and rodding out the radiator. just today i have had to call a tow truck to come and get it. this time it is the transmission(bad news) i dont even tow stuff with this vehicle.

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  2002 Chevrolet S10 Ext Cab - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Keith Kenyon - April 23 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is the worst new vehicle I have ever purchased. During my 3 month and 1700 mile ownership, I have had the following issues, replaced rear light harness, replaced rear end carrier bearing, replaced rear springs, replaced engine/transmission mount (3X), repainted both rocker panels, and numerous squeaks and rattles. I have had this vehicle in for service six seperate times and the truck has less than 1800 miles.