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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  chev impala 2003 - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By David Berry - August 19 - 2:00 am

  All in All the impala is a great car for the money love it needs some work on the comfort and road noise but a great car

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  Best vehicle Ive owned - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By kbeat - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Having owned this vehicle for a little over a month, I must say Im terribly impressed. Power, looks, comfort, luxury, size, features: a fantastic blend. Must say the gas prices in SoCal are huting the experience. That said, I look for excuses to drive.

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  Trip to Florida, 2005 Vette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By G Green - August 18 - 12:26 pm

  I traded a 2001 corvette in on this 2005. I drove the 2001 to Florida for four winters and was pleased with the C5. After driving the 2005 down 1350 miles it was a very enjoyable trip. The car rode better and was quieter.

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  Malibu - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By cindy - August 18 - 10:00 am

  had many problems with the car in various areas: from cup holder cracking to a/c fans working off and on spontaneously to internal security system activating (not letting me crank the car for 12 minutes) when I was just trying to crank it, etc. Now I am concerned that the seat belt on the drivers side isnt clicking or working very well.

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  Crappy Brakes - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By willeaton - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Coming up on 40k miles and have had to had the rotors and brake pads replaced 5 times! Dealer gave me the same bs re: design flaw the first time...3 brake jobs later they still pulsate. Ive submitted my complaint to the lemon law lawyers to review. I want my money back. A/C seems about ready to die (flickering on and off occassionally) and my power steering fluid is now all over my driveway. Luckily my dealership is not charging me to fix the pulsating brakes....rotors have 14k mile warranty above and beyond the new car warranty. Brakes also seem to slip in wet weather. I dont feel too safe driving in rain with this car.

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  Bermuda green in WI - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Leah - August 18 - 2:23 am

  The Equinox has great leg room for back seat passengers- my 3 kids fit just fine and will for some time. Also like that 2 of them fit along side a booster seat. Dont like that they got rid of the cargo shelf, would have liked to have one. Think that since the roof rails are standard the cross bars shoudl be as well- not a $150 add on. Overall though, I really like the car and how it drives.

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  Most Reliable Vehicle I Ever Owned - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By OregonDan - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I just read through a few of the S-10 reviews and thought I should add my 2 cents. Purchased the truck for $10K drove it over 100,000 miles and never had any problems except for a burned out fuse ($5) and I replaced myself... and Im NOT mechanically inclined. I sold the truck in 2001 for $5100 with 110K miles and regret not keeping it longer. Used it for commuting to college and hauling firewood. Great little truck. I may have gotten the 1 out of 1000... but sold the truck to a manager at Pepsi for his daughter and he informed me that Pepsi runs a fleet of lil S-10 trucks and all of them have passed 100K miles+ with little to none problems.

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  Shattered Dreams - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By CodysalmostkillerZ28 - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Bought the 1995 Camaro it was in mint shape about 8 hours later a mechanical failure almost killed me, go to http://www.cardomain.com/id/cody17chels ie to see my camaro before and after i wrecked, this is one of the worst 1- car wrecks imaginable that i walked away from...take a look seeing is believing.

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  Good Design - Needs Better Execution - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By oldcorvettefan - August 18 - 2:00 am

  This is my second 4WD, first Blazer. I really enjoy the easy way it moves into and out of traffic, and the V6 is better suited to the Blazer than it was my old S10. My biggest disappointment is how poorly the interior and door panels fit. The vehicle sounds like the doors are going to fall off if you hit a crease in the road just right. Nothing like our new Malibu Maxx, which is much tighter.

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  Blazer LT - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Mookie - August 18 - 2:00 am

  On the whole, I have had a good experience with this vehicle. Some issues include: oil fittings leaked after just 2 years. Back seat not very comfortable for passengers. In winter, climate control system is difficult to adjust and maintain heat.