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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  Jimmys 2004 Vette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By James Himel - September 11 - 2:00 am

  A pleasure to drive, the performance is outstanding and I cant wait to go to work everyday just so that I can drive it. The performance, is out of this world,hit the pedal and away you go.

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  Great looking car - 2016 Chevrolet Impala
  By Diane Carpenter - September 10 - 12:56 pm

  We have had to have the Bluetooth fixed aand the side detection right side mirror fixed in the 3 weeks we have had the car. The navigation panel was blank for 3 times one day.

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  Selling my 97 Blazer after 2 years - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By C_Deep - September 10 - 2:00 am

  This was a good vehicle. I bought it with 162K miles and it now has 180k miles. It was very reliable and didnt leave me stranded. The motor is still powerful after 180K miles, but it could use new suspension parts.

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  Love my Tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By findmissy - September 10 - 2:00 am

  I just love it!

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  Runs Strong - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By MALOSO - September 9 - 2:00 am

  reliable car, only had 1 major problem. Gas was leaking into the oil and caused the car to run erratic. Was fixed and runs fine now. doesnt leak oil and transmission is fine.

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  Astro better than SUV for my family - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By cmaricle - September 9 - 2:00 am

  The astro is much better than the Suburban for my family, much better accessability between rows when dealing with kids. Hey, its not sexy but its a good ride.

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  Camaro SS Kicks Ass - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By BitchinSS - September 9 - 2:00 am

  The 2001 Camaro SS is the most straight forward, reliable, stylish and fun car I have ever owned. I bought it because of the LS1 V-8 powerplant never thinking that it would become a classic AMERICAN car. The only problem I encountered thus far (45K)was a small broken spring for seat retraction. Kudos Chevy. My Kerry/Edwards sticker does it proud and loud! Now on to the 2005 Corvette?

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  Smooth As Silk - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By BoomBoom444 - September 8 - 9:43 pm

  Excellent ride, gas mileage, visibility. Superb steering. Well designed trunk. Many features. Great value for the money. Would recommend highly.

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  I love my Chevy Trailbalzer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Debra - September 8 - 2:23 pm

  I really like the way my Trailblazer rides and it has handled very well on the snow and ice we have had this year. It is really roomy. I dont think I could ever go back and own a car again...

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  Good suv - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Luther56 - September 8 - 2:00 am

  Best vehicle ive ever owned, good for long trips, good for around town, and alot of fun off road.