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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  Love My Chevy - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By earthmofo - December 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Impala June of 1999. I’ve had the car for almost 5 years only very minor problems. About 4 months into having the car my O2 sensor went out. I brought it into the dealership and they fixed it same day no problem. I didn’t have another problem until 3 years later when my front driver side window stopped working. Just needed a new switch. Other than standard maintenance (new rotors and struts on the front after 50,000 miles) I’ve had no problems in 87,000 miles. The mileage includes 3 trips from CA to OK and lots of trips from So Cal to Vegas. One time I made it from L.A. to Vegas in 3 hours doing 100mph on a single tank of gas!

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  Solid transportation - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By rdreece - December 27 - 2:00 am

  The is a nice practical car that gets fantastic mileage from the 3.8 liter engine and also has plenty of power. In 50,000 miles, I have replaced the tires and battery. On-Star is a really nice feature that makes you feel more secure in your travels.

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  Cant Go Wrong !!! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By gregjohnson68 - December 27 - 2:00 am

  The power from the ECOTEC 2.2l engine is no less than beautiful! The handling is in the same boat, mixed with great looks (mines black!) inside , and out! Do yourself a huge favor , and go buy one TODAY!!!! You will not regret it , ever!

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  50th Anniversary - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By gjjdiver - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Car is everything advertised. We have enjoyed every minute behind the wheel.Looking forward to driving it Fla this winter.

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  Best Tahoe Yet - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Dave - December 26 - 9:26 pm

  Im pleased with almost everything about the new Tahoe. The only concerns or objections are the navigation system, the gas mileage and the noise in the head liner. The naviagation system is the worst Ive experienced. It will often direct you to turn where there is no road to turn to. Also, the Nav will direct you and tell you that you have arrived at your destination when in fact you are about a quarter mile away. It has even sent me in the wrong direction when I was close to my destination.

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  Amazing technology in a small package - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By Derek C. - December 26 - 4:11 pm

  The 2013 Chevy Volt is a small car with a big package! The interior is well made with many features. The drivetrain is the best in its class (PHEV). Its the only PHEV that can use full acceleration without the gas engine coming on until the battery is used up (avg 40 miles). Battery range is less in cold weather. Driving it is still enjoyable after 5 years of ownership and 70K miles. This is the most flexible EV on the road - 30-40 miles of all-electric range with a fully capable gas backup for unlimited travel without waiting for a charge - just fill up with gas in 3 minutes like everybody else and keep on driving!

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  2011 Equinox has horrible mpg! - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kaczara13 - December 26 - 6:24 am

  Im in Michigan, drive 38 miles each way to work, 28 hwy. I had a Subaru Outback AWD and would get 24 in winter and 27 in summer. rural roads the other 10 miles. I bought this car with FWD to get better mileage, in Oct, 2010. The mpg is ridiculous! I was getting 24.4-.7 in fall, now that Ive lowered speed "Under" 70 mph I can get 25, oh boy! I am fighting with GM to return it. This mpg is false advertising. daughters Honda CRV w/AWD gets 27 hwy! Its not right to falsify the testing. They told me (GM employees) that the "Feds" okd the testing in "controlled"environment and 48 is " ave. hwy speed". Heater is also poor in under 20 deg. and Horrible blind spot passenger side!

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  A great asset - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By blackstone - December 26 - 2:00 am

  I have owned Luminas for the past 15 years. They are very reliable. I change the oil every 5000 miles and other than brakes at about 50000 miles, and tires at about the same mileage, there is no maintainence. This car is now 6 years old and never been in the shop. Rock solid reliable and very comfortable (leather interior). Has all the creature features too. GOOD GAS MILEAGE at 26 on road, 23 in town. Gotta love this car. Depreciation like evry other new car is a killer.

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  1998 Chevrolet Malibu LS - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ssmiles - December 26 - 2:00 am

  Transmission was replaced at 9000 miles. Rotors have warped 4 times. Glove box latch broke at around 60000 miles. Engine still running strong and has good acceleration.

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  Awesome - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Kiss my SS - December 26 - 2:00 am

  Love this car, excellent take off power,excellent mid range and top end acceleration. Monsoon sound system is awesome. This car brightens any day of mine when I can pull it out of the garage. Only have 20,000 miles on it so far, and have loved every one of them.