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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  Do Not Purchase if you Live in Your Car - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Kim D - October 24 - 7:34 pm

  I bought this car because it was a good deal and had good ratings. However, I drive a lot and thus have made a lot of repairs to this car. In its first five years, I had a sensor go out, a major oil leak, a major radiator leak, and a passenger windshield wiper quit working. I was recently in a minor car accident, and while I would consider this car a safe car, it basically folded in the trunk and was deemed a total loss. I think the MPG was great, and the car was roomy--especially the trunk. The car is NOT good in snow. I always fishtailed. Keeping a bag of kitty litter or sand in the trunk during the winter months is a must.

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  not bad - 2001 Chevrolet Metro
  By array - October 21 - 2:00 am

  i got this car for 3000.00 not to bad for a 2001. the only thing that has gone out on the car is the camshaft sensor, other then that the car has been pretty reliable. it shakes when you go over 60 though but it takes corners good and it fits almost anywhere. so all in all its a good little car.

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  The Tracker - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Cotton - October 9 - 2:00 am

  To Small cargo area, rear seats do not fold down all the way feels cramoed in front seats, not really made for tall persons.

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  No Advancement - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jpow - October 8 - 9:16 am

  My previous 4.3L managed almost 24 mpg on the highway, however my 2008 gets 14 to 15 mpg. I cant roll the window down with a container in the drink holder, this appears typical as I am finding more and more ergonomic issues e.g. try getting the jack out of a standard cab. I installed mud flaps over the weekend an noticed how easily the rear fenders flexed. I crawled under the truck and took a closer look at build quality; and it appears that I am the victim of excessive cost cutting. When compared with my previous GM pickups my 2008 is really a disappointment.

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  1 owner faithful pickup - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By leme - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This truck has been in our family its whole life and is still going strong at 180,000 miles. It used to be much better on gas mileage, but it doesnt owe us anything anymore. The 4.3 V6 still has plenty of power. She went through a salt water flood up to her floorboards 5 years ago, and aside from body rust hasnt shown any signs of giving up. I hope my next pickup gives me the reliability of ol Red.

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  Love / Hate Relationship... - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By WillySLC - October 7 - 2:00 am

  We started looking for an SUV last year and when we saw this one, we had to have it. The Tahoe drives better than any other SUV in its class. It is very solid on the road and gives great confidence. This much I love. I HATE the reliability. Immediately after we bought it, we had to have several fuel injectors replaced at about $500.00. Some time later, the fuel pump failed. We also replaced the alternator. All this in about a years ownership. Oh yeah, and the drivers door handle broke off. We also find that the lack of rear air conditioning is a major down side. So, like I say, we love to drive it, but it is a huge money pit.

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  never buy a chevy truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By slimmy - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck used so i can get around to and from work and haul somethings here and there. i think that the vortec V6 is a great engine, it has alot of power and it does respond good.i havent had any problems as of yet,except for the interior rattling like crazy. i have now owned a ford and a chevy and i must say that i think a ford is built much better. i never had the ford rattle and squeak like this s-10 and i hear its a common problem with them.i will tell you this i will never buy a chevy truck again.

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  2014 Silverado V6 work truck - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By hardworker777 - October 2 - 1:12 am

  I got a new 2014 silverado work truck whit 15 miles on it at first it was excellent, at about 200 miles the truck started to have a bad idle not smooth anymore and when its cold it can be felt more changed fuel types higher octane of 91 and tried E85 and no change. i already tuck it to the dealer 2 times at 2 different ones and they say the same thing,they say "it has no codes is working ok, it could be how the truck works after brake in and we have no updates or recalls for rough idle, we dont feel anything" they would feel it if it their truck and its a warranty issue. I been searching and looks like Im not the only one whit that problem whit a GM truck

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  i would not buy this vehicle again - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By esther peterson - September 29 - 10:00 am

  this car has had to go back to the dealer 3x for brake repair. I paid $17K hoping to get a reliable car after my husband died instead I feel that I must trade it. Just today, the resistor on the lower part the A/C had to be replaced.

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  Good but not Great - 1996 Chevrolet Suburban
  By davey753 - September 29 - 2:00 am

  Just the right size for my needs, and fun to drive. Mine has a custom interior (made by an aftermarket company), so the aftermarket add ons are great but the factory GM parts are cheap plastic. Very nice vehicle, but it can in NO way compare to a Navigator the Suburban isnt even in the same league.