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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  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.

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  Great Old-School (if FWD) American Sedan - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By jkp1187 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought this used with 25k on it, put 11k on in 3 months. Great engine, good power/torque. Wish the handling were stiffer, but it is more than adequate for the average family sedan purchaser. The car has incredible acceleration at highway speeds. Smoked a Honda Prelude on a deserted stretch of interstate a month or so ago -- he gave up when I hit 115.Get the leather seats--they are more comfortable and make the car look SOOO much nicer. Its not a luxury sport sedan, but its easily the equal of the Accord, Camry, Taurus.

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  1997 Chev Sub k1500 - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By greedorfear - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I am really enjoying it so far. I have only put 1200 miles on it so far. but i do plan on taking it all over the east coast

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  Buy American - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By dmille909 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Great van for price, roomy, great ride, awesome features.

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  Trailblazer????? - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By kellimojo - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 2 of these Blazers. The first one was a 1999 and had to let go back with my ex husband because of a divorce. I now own a 2003. I love these vehichles. I cant believe Chevrolet wants me to pick, when it is time to trade, on a boxy, overpriced TrailBlazer or the inferior and ugly Tracker. I looked at the TrailBlazer and I could not believe the price tag on this thing. I usually trade every 2to4 years and am a die hard Chevy buyer. I have owned 5 S-10s. From what I have seen, the Jeep Liberty will be my next pick.

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  Americas Dream Car A Reality - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By CorvetteBlondie - July 11 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Corvette, had a 99 prior to this. What a great car! Not only is it a great car that gets attention, but the hatchback allows me to haul all sorts of things without a problem. Ive hauled a large coffee table, a treadmill, a 55 gallon aquarium with wood stand, and 2 large barstools (not all at the same time of course)! The car is very comfortable to drive for all heights and sizes, has every feature for comfort, and at an average of 22.3 miles per gallon, I am happy with fuel effeciency as well.

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  My first car is a dream come true - 1991 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Mikey likes it - July 10 - 2:00 am

  I pulled $2000 together and purchased a torch red 1991 Chevy Lumina Z34. For a car 12 years old and with some 134K miles on it, it still performs with more stamina than I wouldve ever expected of it, and its stylish good looks turn my familys/friends/co- workers heads in a way that makes me think I got the better end of the deal. But I didnt just buy it for those amicable qualities--I was looking for reliability. Something to get me to school, work, and then back home when the day was through (did I mention I live in Minnesota where we have below freezing weather 3 months of the year?) I definately got that, too.

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  Just a great truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By G Money - July 9 - 8:23 am

  So far so good. I have had the truck for a few months now and no problems whatsoever. I would have liked a little more power out of the 5.3, but I guess this helps with fuel economy. With Ford and Dodge averaging 12-15 and my Chevy getting 17 I should be happy since it is a full size truck.

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  Great Buy! - 1995 Chevrolet Astro
  By Schumacher - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Purchased because of our large family. Needed a vehicle that would hold 8 passengers with no problem. Our van has seen many ball fields & vacations. Weve only had a few problems with it. Alternator & fuel pump. We have over 190,000 miles on our van it still runs like the day we bought it. It still averages them same gas mileage now as it did then. This was a great purchase!