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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  Nice Hauler, but troublesome. - 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Pats Truck - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used with 53000 miles. My neighbor is a GM mechanic and told me Id be putting a water pump on it soon. At 63,000 sure enough, it needed a water pump. Within months started seeing coolant leak again. This time intake manifold gaskets. Researched the internet, seems this is a problem with 5.7 engines. GMs solution...redesign the motor. No service bulletin, no corporate support, fix it yourself. Its unfortunate GM refuses to be honorable and stand behind what is obviously a defect, not normal wear and tear. It ran better after new gaskets but wallet $600 lighter. All in all my family loves it but my instincts tell me to get rid of it soon.

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  Chevy Venture - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By silverfox - May 20 - 2:00 am

  I havve no complaints with this vehicle it has a ride like a car.

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  Second time around - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By CindyJ - May 20 - 2:00 am

  This my second Suburban, having owned a 1999 LT. The bucket seats in the center row make getting in and out of the back seat very easy, especially for children. Third row folds and locks into place. We take it on long trips and are quite comfortable. Rides great for a truck.

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  02 Vette 6Speed - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By GA Dealer - May 20 - 2:00 am

  I am a licensed Auto Dealer and bought this car at auction two weeks ago. Saw a row of Vettes sitting in the sun and had to have one. I have owned over 50 cars personally and driven most everything on the planet. No other car has pasted a grin on my face more than this car. It gets more smiles, stares and "nice car" than anything else I have driven including an M3 and 911 convertible. Pure fun.

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  love my Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By stacy behrens - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Great family vehicle. Rides very smooth, fits all kids and their friends, great ride on the highway. For a large vehicle it is very easy to park and parallel park. Feel very safe it it.

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  2003 Trailblazer LTZ - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By skibum - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable vehicle to drive. After 28,000 miles, we have noticed a few squeaks and rattles inside. There has also been a noticable loss of power from the engine. The front end also feels loose especially on rough pavement. Cargo room is good. Mileage isnt too bad for the class of vehicle. 14mpg city, 20 - 22 highway.

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  I love it - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By D Wilferd - May 19 - 7:13 pm

  This is my second Maxx and I cannot imagine owning anything else. I love the ride and the drive of this car. It is comfortable and so much fun to own. My daughter and granddaughter love the rear DVD and stereo system, which are very helpful on a long trip. The dealership has been extremely helpful with any problems we have had with either car. I love to brag on this car whenever people ask me about it. It is so versatile. I had the windows tinted and added splash guards which gives the car an even better look.

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  EQUINOX 6 Cylinder Is The ONLY Way To Go!! - 2017 Chevrolet Equinox
  By TW - May 19 - 1:55 pm

  I rented the 6 cylinder model (the review options didnt have the 6 cylinder option available to select) two weeks ago for my week long trip to Maine from Avis at Boston Logan airport. Had 10K miles on it so its been used but I was really impressed with the throttle response and handling in Boston area traffic and going up and down East Coast highway 1. The car was tight and had no unusual or annoying squeaks or vibrations. -At home in the high mountains out West I drive a 1 ton Dodge 4x4 pickup and a Toyota FJ 4x4 equally off road and on pavement so I pay close attention to unusual noises, etc. This Equinox had the sunroof option - quiet operating and quick. Had plenty of room for two large rolling duffle bags and backpacks and was a pleasure to drive - with or without gear. Im a fit 510" and the seats are very comfortable and adjusted perfectly to my liking. The interior was nicely appointed and not cheap looking. Really seems to be a great SUV with a peppy power plant. Yep, Id buy one! 12/03/16 UPDATE: I bought a 2017 Equinox Premier Edition in the Patriot Blue color and remote start option for our cold climate!

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  My 5th Tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By FSM104 - May 19 - 10:00 am

  This was another Tahoe that I have purchased and been totally satisfied.

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  Fixer upper! - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By stranded in PITT - May 19 - 2:00 am

  LOTS of things broke. In for linkage work throughout entire first year. Elec problems leaves in fan - several blown switches wipers severed from frame air blows in through handles tires do NOT HOLD air (alum rims???)