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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  GMs best car - Impala SS - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Daman - September 3 - 2:10 pm

  I started buying two Impalas every year since first model came out. I love this car and never had any problems. All the luxury is there without paying a high price. Good gas mileage and nice pickup speed.

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  Great Car! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Nick - September 3 - 12:21 pm

  I bought my 2005 Chevy Malibu Maxx with 80,000 miles. I had to put about $1,000 worth of repairs due to the steering shaft. The car is coughing or sputtering three or four times before turning over. The car does turn over eventually. This happens very once in a while. Not everyday If any else is having this problem please let me know. Otherwise the car run and drives great. Headlights are very dim or foggy due to so much sun. They are horrible in the dark and rainy. I am looking to buy new ones. The comfort is great, it has cruise control and cold AC and hot heat. The hatchback is very roomy and has lots of cargo room.

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  Love This Truck - 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jgperegrine - September 3 - 9:44 am

  I read many of the negative reviews regarding the 2014 model so I waited for the 2015 to come out. I really like this truck. It is very quiet and rides great. The interior fit and finish is excellent. I have 1200 miles on it now with no problems. I drove several 2014 models and they all had a bit of a vibration to them. I believe it was due to flat spots on the Good Year Wrangler tires. I went ATV riding with my sons over the weekend and there was no internet or phone service, so the hotspot in the truck really came in handy. The truck gets great mileage when it utilizes the 4 cyl mode (I think it could stay in 4 cyl mode longer) but seems just OK in 8 cyl mode.

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  Nice little truck! - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By Highseascop - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I have done a couple of long road trips with this truck and Im impressed with the performence and the comfort, however I came out of a 2000 Grand AM GT so Im new with the hole truck experience. The gas mileage Isnt the greatest... I can say one thing DO NOT BUY IT IN BLACK! also I highly suggest buying custom mud flaps......

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  saright - 2000 Chevrolet Lumina
  By clark inwald - September 3 - 2:00 am

  had the car for two years now and no repair costs except for the security system (which proved expensive but only because it was misdiagnosed). Quick enuf, responsive enuf, solid feel, smooth, versatile.

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  Sporty and Powerful - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jackblack - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Has about 130,000 miles and still runs great. Some reoccurring electrical issues. Battery is subject to overcharge, even with new alternator. Terminal posts dissolve after two years. Even then…I would not trade it for the world. I fit over 1000 lbs inside the cargo area truck during a recent move. Engine didn’t even know it. Several 1000 mile trips have been made and the comfort level is amazing for a truck\SUV. Can’t say enough good things about it!

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  Dont waste your money - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By icede - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I sent my Blazer to the shop more times that I can count - from the spark plug wires burning out, the fuel injectors clogging up (protective coating at the factory was not removed), the fuel gauge not working, and the transmission having serious issues. In the last few years, the Blazer sat in my garage while I drove my Honda – I just did not trust the Blazer anymore after being left stranded by it too many times. Thankfully, I just traded it in over the weekend for a Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner. I can finally trust a truck. My advice: Do not buy a Chevy. Sure, theyre like a rock... and Rocks dont move much, last I checked.

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  Great Van - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By CHASA - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Great for family with lots of room. great flexability for all family functions. Great choice of options for different needs.

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  My Venture - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Saydee - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I havent had any problems yet. Nice size, comfortable and runs well.

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  03 Avalanche - Soooo Fun! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Tony K. - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Our Avalanche came with the WBH option (Without Body Hardware). We decided that less is more in this case because the body hardware, also called side cladding, on the Avalanche is an awful lot of extra surface area to Armor- All. Our vehicle is a dark charcoal, and looks very coordinated with the windows tinted (Las Vegas weather). This truck/SUV is fantastic. It is beautiful, rides very smoothly, rides high for excellent freeway visibility, is very quiet, and is extremely powerful, even with the 1500 5.3 litre engine!