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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  What a steal! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Pat - March 4 - 12:36 pm

  Looked for car to replace 2002 Tracker. Looked for SUV room without the price and found this. Eureka! Loved the hatchback design and room. Bought car with 15,000 miles for $13,000.00. Just returned from 3,500 mile trip to Gulf Coast. This car is awesome. 30 MPG (with a/c on most of the time), solid, quiet, roomy, comfortable, power when you need it. I could go on and on. Local Chevy dealer sent a letter saying theyre interested in buying the car. Good luck, this one stays in my garage. As other people have said, why didnt Chevy promote this car. In my opinion, no home should be without one.

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  Nice to Drive but with annoying problems - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Peter Baranello - March 4 - 4:26 am

  I have got to admit that the LT/3.9 are easy to drive, peppy, comfortable. With some wrap around mudguards, a bra, it also looks good. I bought the LT loaded, no leather. But even with all options, it did not have an external amp driven sound system, my 2002 LS does, (not the Bose) great sound. This 06 standard system with 6 speakers is sub par. A few annoying trends: Chevy said an engine relay became noisy after a long/hard drive, no fix…. Engine idle is slightly erratic at times, no code? The RF system for the tire monitor, remote start, key fob replaced under war. Like I said, annoying problems but overall I like the car. PS. dont go 7000 miles on the oil or 100000 on trans as they say!

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  Good to go - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By joedog - March 4 - 3:13 am

  Had the SUV for 6 months. Not one problem. Drives and handles beautifully. Lots of room to move all kinds things around, including lumber. Really a solid performer so far. My brother purchased a Chevy SUV first, he travels and has 20,000 miles on his. Not one warranty claim on his either. That is performance.

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  got it for free - 1990 Chevrolet S-10
  By BWAD - March 4 - 2:00 am

  252,000 and counting. Its never left me stranded. The bed holds a 4wheeler with room to spare. Couldnt even get the gate closed on my old tacoma. MPGs are down to 21 and power is down also compared to when I got it at 200k. But as long as it runs I will drive it.

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  Great 1st Car - 1992 Chevrolet Corsica
  By vickijo - March 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for 3 years and have put 52000 miles on it.for a total of 136000. I mostly only had minor issues with it as you would expect with an older USED car. after 100,000 miles it started having little weird problems like the ABS light would come on for no reason, the brakes needed replaced, the cruise control stopped working but over all worth the $.

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  Back in the Fifties - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By Dawagonman - March 4 - 2:00 am

  I havent seen a vehicle get this kind of attention since I did burnouts with my new Roadrunner in 68. Everywhere I go it attracts people,stops traffic and causes drowling. I drove down Duval St in Key West with the top down and all I could hear was "DID YOU SEE THAT?". Its fun to drive, takes you back in time and makes you want to drive around 24-7.

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  Outstanding Small Car - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By jharris10 - March 4 - 2:00 am

  In the 3.5 years we’ve had the car its reliability has been outstanding. Only 2 issues. Water was leaking in and pooling in the left rear quarter panel, dealer resealed area and replaced foam drain plug before warranty expired. The second a small bolt was missing, easy replace. If you are looking for a quality used small car, this is it. You get Toyota reliability at a Chevy price. Average about 30 MPG driving in mixed conditions. Could expect 35+ with more highway miles. Currently has 51,000 miles.

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  Good for the money - 1997 Chevrolet Corvette
  By BBs - March 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had many sports cars, Mustangs, Camaros, Firebirds etc... This Corvette is the best all around for the money. If you dont need the back seats then you get great looks, awesome power and crazy comments. And considering the rate of depreciation of all other american sports cars on the market the Corvette is the best bang for the buck.

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  Junk - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Gummersbach - March 4 - 2:00 am

  Worse vehicle I have ever owned. Major electrical issues, including multiple alternators, etc. I must carry around a box of fuses to re-energize the dash every couple weeks after the fuse blows. If I do not replace it, the battery drains and I have a dead vehicle. A total nightmare.

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  LBS Z06 - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Les Bush - March 4 - 2:00 am

  Great Car. Would Buy Again.