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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  great car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By loydw - July 10 - 6:23 pm

  excellent, great power and gas milage, speed hold on hills even with 4 adults.

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  Problems, problems, problems - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By susie1975_19999 - July 10 - 10:00 am

  The electronics on this car has been a nightmare!Air conditioner, several sensors, dash board assembly, multi function switch, catalytic converter, gas cap have all been replaced! Most all of these items have cost me over 500 every time! Multi function switch, when it goes bad headlights will go out on you going down the road! Of course there are never any re-calls for these problems and every time something else goes wrong dealer ship says those cars are known for this! Ive called GM several times about the car and told them they sold me a piece of junk but they never offer to replace anything! Wish I had never laid eyes on this car. It will be traded off! GM never again !

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  Well done - 1995 Chevrolet Astro
  By D.norm Stroup - July 10 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this van when our family outgrew our Geo Metro. It has served us well for four years with two and three children under age 5. We have driven it on vaction for over 1000 up to 3000 miles, once a year, with no problems.It has been realativelyeasy to work on for me. I changed the water pump and spark plugs with little mechanical experience and found changing my own oil a simple task. This van has taken its licks from three wrecks, one slightly major. It protected my young family and after repairs has continued on with only pour repair complaints. I recomend this van for families

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  Thank You GM - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By Jeff & Rosa H - July 10 - 2:00 am

  We are on our 2nd Astro, our first is a 1988 Astro LT. The 4.3L engine is one of the best.I fix cars for a living and this is the van for my family.

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  my tracker - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By carole lentz - July 10 - 2:00 am

  I love this car.I have never enjoyed any car as much as this one.I would reccomend it to everyone.

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  prepare to repair - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By DAVE ID - July 10 - 2:00 am

  If you care at all about reliability this is not the car you want to get. At this time it is 4 and 1/2 years old. I havent even finished paying it off and I will have to junk it because I cant afford the repair bills. I fix this car almost every month For example in the past 6 months, I have spent $1200 to fix various problems. Just got an estimate today for another $1800. But, I wont fix it anymore and will junk it. Problems have been bad brake (too frequently need to be cleaned, resurfaced), intake manifold gasket, head gaskets, calipers, pressure control solenoid. See MSN autos site too. Those problems described were my problems too. STAY AWAY!!!

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  My First SUV - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By nbtsmith - July 10 - 2:00 am

  I made a haste decision to purchase this vehicle because of the rebates being offered and the fact that I really wanted an SUV. I wish I wouldve look harder and weighed my options more before purchasing. It is not a vehicle I see myself in long term.

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  Better than other 4dr trucks! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By AV wolf - July 10 - 2:00 am

  We were looking 4 a "family" type vehicle. Had leased Suburban&looked @ Ford F150 4dr.Was nice.Then went back 2 Chevy 2 see what they had in similar price range. Tried their Silverado, but salesman/finance guy pointed out price of Avalanche. Being very happy with leased Burban, we were impressed with suspension and overall ride/handling of it!A great find!Had always liked the boxyness of its styling but thought would be priced higher than average 4drs. Picked out an Arrival Blu WITH "armour" pakage and have never looked at another truck since! By the way, 2 Loren Guinn 7/03, plastic mouldngs ARENT tacky & has prevented many a dents in parking lots a

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  THE BEST VEHICLE IVE EVER OWNED! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By GARY61 - July 10 - 2:00 am

  45 yrs. OF OWNING MOST OF THE TYPE OF CARS AND TRUCKS THAT I LIKED AND COULD AFFORD, THE AVALANCHE IS THE BEST OF THE BEST. BEFORE I BOUGHT THE AVALANCHE I HAD A FORD F-150 4-WD EXT. CAB AND I LOVED THAT TRUCK VERY MUCH, TOO, BUT THE AVALANCHE FILLED A PLACE IN MY HEART THAT NO OTHER TRUCK COULD HAVE DONE. ITS THE BEST OF TWO WORLDS, ITS A TRUCK WHEN I NEED IT TO BE AND ITS AN SUV WHEN I WANT IT TO BE AND WITH ALL OF THE COMFORT OF A FINE LUXURY CAR. THE RIDE IS OUTSTANDING AND ROOMINESS IS GREAT FOR FAMILY AND HAS PLENTY OF STORAGE CAP. I WOULDNT HESITATE TO BUY ANOTHER ONE.

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  My kickin ride - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rudy Valderrama - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Handles very well, looks awesome, and most importantly the ladies stick to you like glue. Interior is beautiful and has very soft comfortable leather. rides smooth, no complaints what so ever. Outstanding veichle!