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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  Amazing Car for the Money - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jr2003 - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive had experience driving the new m3, corvette zo6 porsche boxster s, and subaru wrx. This camaro is awesome. It has tons of performance, good ride and great handling!

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  3/4 Ton/HD 6.0L Eng. Problems. - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Matt Bell - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Has an engine tick which Gen Mtrs. says is piston slap. Misses when any loading such as going up even a slight hill. Local dealer has been working with GM engineers was told currently is no fix? Told Gen. Mtrs. knew of a "FEW" 6.0L engines that do this. Should not have released them if they knew there was a problem. currently trying to get vehicle repaired/replaced under "Lemon Law". Vehicle only has 4500MI. on it.

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  Fun Buggy - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By mmjsucocks - July 11 - 9:06 pm

  I just bought my HHR and I love it. I cant keep out of it! It is a LT with a 2.2 5 speed manual. It has lots of get up and go. I bought the car from a dealer about 200 miles away from my house and drove it home and it got a average of 35 mpg! The best thing is that I got it for around $16,500. Why buy Japanese when you can buy American and feel good about it.

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  Best car I ever owned - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By honestabe48 - July 11 - 7:15 pm

  Ive had this car going on 15 years now, bought it when it was brand new in 1996. It has 119,000+ miles on it now and still runs like a champ. Ive done minor maintanance on it that I think one should do on every car at 7-10years old. It has a new Alternator, starter, fuel pump, radiator hoses, thermostat and tires (factory tires lasted 10 years). The air conditioner did go out at about the 10 year mark so that is the only real MAJOR repair I have to do. Of course the usual thing with power windows happened and I had to replace the motor in the drivers side TWICE! I think general maintanance is key to survival of every car. I keep the oild changed twice a year.

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  I Love my Equinox! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mike - July 11 - 12:16 pm

  I have driven a pick-up truck for 30 yrs. While working on the paperwork for my new 05 truck I saw the Equinox on the showroom floor. It looked good so I decided to check it out. I took it for a test drive and loved it. I bought it instead. I love it and havent got one complaint!

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  Love my HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Lucy - July 11 - 9:40 am

  I have owned my HHR for 4 weeks now. It is a lot of fun to drive. I have had many complements on it. I like the retro styling. I traded in my 2001 PT Cruiser for this car. My HHR is more comfortable to ride in especially on long trips. My husband didnt like to drive the Cruiser but boy does he like to drive my HHR.

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  1997 Chevy S10 LS 2WD Regular Cab Review - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By BCJ - July 11 - 2:00 am

  This truck is real nice to me. I drive it a lot, but mechanically it is not to strong. Ive had to replace the water pump and fan bracket and this truck only has 69,000 original miles on it.

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  Still running strong at 265,000 miles - 1992 Chevrolet Suburban
  By motorhead - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this Suburban (my third) four years ago with 164,000 miles on it. It was cheap. And it now has 265,000 miles and I have used it and abused it. The engine and trans are the original and have not been rebuilt. I pull a boat and a car hauling trailer. Have had usual maintainance such as brakes, starter, alternator, water pump. The interior is still excellent and the paint is still shiny and attractive. Just returned from an 1800 miles vacation trip and averaged over 19 mpg.

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  Owned Corsica from Day 1 - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Butro - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Im the only owner of my 91 Corsica, which now has 137,000 miles on it. Over the years, I have replaced the alternator twice, the starter, the water pump, and a gasket...not bad for a 13-year old car. The paint is my only complaint, which is peeling off the roof, hood, and trunk panels. The side panels still look like brand new. The fabric on the seat cushions and driver-side door interior has begun to show its age and have small tears. I attribute this to sun damage and wear and tear. A few patches hear and there have fixed the problem, as well as some seat covers. The A/C is a bit weak for the Texas climate.

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  Keep looking. - 1994 Chevrolet Beretta
  By jkp1187 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car when my trusty old 1988 Chevy Celebrity was put out to pasture. The Beretta was nothing but a headache. Poor design of steering column the turn signal lever snapped in 1/2 after 6 months. Cost $200 to repair (!). Transmission went out -- twice. Head gasket started leaking. Alternator went out -- twice. Brakes were constantly going. Money and prayer kept it going to 167,000, when I got new Impala (which I have been very happy with). Almost didnt buy GM again b/c of this car, though....took a good deal on the Impala just to get me to look at it.