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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  Better than Expected - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By BMan - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I am quite surprised, for the amount I spent (~$24,000, includes 2002 cash back, fees, taxes, & tags) for my Black SS with every option except the High Sport Appearance Pkg. Car handles better, rides better, performs better than I hoped for, except for the gas mileage. I had the widows tinted to cut down on the interior heat after "she" has sat in the sun. The ABS works so well I am often worried about the vehicle behind me stopping in time! If you want a two-door coupe, you really need to consider this vehicle. I expect this car to go the distance (10+ years) with minimal problems, and No I Do Not work for Chevrolet or their affiliates/dealers/allies!!!!

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  Weve Been Happy! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By dondee - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Bought this van new after my 92 Mazda needed extensive engine work (for the 4th time!). The van is comfortable to drive and is roomy for my kids and their friends. We have had this van for almost 5 years and it has 72,000 miles on it and I plan to keep driving until it falls apart! Very reliable, no major repairs.

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  nasty - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By c mundie - June 17 - 2:00 am

  nothing but problems

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  Great Truck! - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bart - June 16 - 2:13 am

  This has been a fantastic truck. I average about 20 miles per gallon around town. The truck has a lot of get up and go and can spin the tires with ease. I have the 4.8 and am happy with how smoth it performs.

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  This Lumina Rocks! - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Luminated - June 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this LTZ new in January, 1999. The test drive sold me on the LTZs torque, handling and ride! The 200HP 3.8 V6 and the stiff cop car like ride have made this car a favorite. Four and a half years and 143000 miles later this babys still going strong. The motor is durable and runs smoothly (no tune up yet!). Only mechanical problems have been an alternator replaced at 82K and the tranny rebuilt at 138K. I firmly believe the tranny issue is connected to a dim wit who messed up a filter change @ 70K... Bought and paid for, I hope to keep this going for, well, another 50-60K at least.

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  Very Reliable/Excellent Dependability - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By dennosar - June 16 - 2:00 am

  It has overall been an extremely reliable vehicle. I live in Alaska and I travel often 150 miles one way at a stretch. The highway can be very lonely in the winter months (I carry a cell phone in case I need it, often times it is of no use to me do to the mountains blocking reception!) Four wheel drive is a must here! I use it all the time on slick roads and off road along beaches gathering clams or along the river here in extremely deep, soft, sand to fish. The only negative thing I have encountered with the vehicle was the oil cooler hoses were leaky and I had trouble getting one due to a nation wide backorder issue.

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  My 1st Camaro Convertible - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By alsolis - June 16 - 2:00 am

  First let me say, there no substitute for big engine w/ big torque.Surprising gas mileage,(50/50 hwy/city driving, 25 mpg)due to the engine not having to work much above 1500 rpm. But when the demand for horses gets the better of you, that 5.7 liters is very willing and able to deliver that power.The useable torque is available anytime in the rpm band. In these days of 4 bangers it is easy to forget those by gone days of "Torque on Demand". The 5.7 of this Camaro puts to shame the 4.6 of my other convertible, a Mustang GT.

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  Excellent Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chilly Bear - June 15 - 3:13 pm

  The truck has over 30,000 miles on it and has not had any warranty repairs. No rattles, squeaks or wind noise. Nothing. This is the first time I have bought a new vehicle and not had a few problems.

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  Forget the Imports - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By TonyM - June 15 - 5:13 am

  Im in my 50s and I have to say this is the best build quiality Ive seen in a car in a long time if at all. This car is tight. I do a lot of stop and go driving and am very hard on a car. The Cobalt is a dream to drive, peppy, comfortable and stylish. The pioneer sound system is unreal, Probably better than most home systems.I have had no problems with the car and am approaching 8000 miles. The bottom line is GM has it together on the Cobalt. Its everything I wanted and more. I bought the LT-2 with the sport appearance package and Leather seats and with taxes it was alittle over 18000. The imports cant even come near that with the options I have. I love it.

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  AWESOME - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Cheryl - June 15 - 2:13 am

  This my 4th camaro and by far the best. I LOVE it. One word to describe it AWESOME!!!