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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  Sorely disappointed - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jusluvinlife2 - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this vehicle as a program car. Have been very displeased with the quality. The turn signals have a short in them appeared at 20K miles, makes for a truly annoying buzz everytime you turn the sinals on. The airbag light had a short, appeared at approximately the same time was told it was a separate issue. The hazard light switch is going out, likes to flash whenever it pleases.The brakes have a serious problem dealer stated poor design, would continue to be a problem. They were repaired under warranty but the problem has returned 20K miles later. The leather interior is cheap. The leather is worn in several places even small tears.

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  Run from this SUV it is JUNK - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Stang 149 - December 28 - 10:00 am

  My headliner has fallen down 3 times Plastic rocker molding fell off Engine knocking, car blowing blue/gray smoke, only getting 15-17MPG with regular fuel The car has been in the shop now for 2 weeks, with no real answers to the issues of poor MPG and the engine knocking. I was told it is "normal" for a new car to have blue/gray smoke coming from it until it is broke in. I have a meeting with GMs regional manager next week. RUN FROM THIS CAR! GM has not changed for the car company of the 1980’s, they are still making junk (I will give them it looks better, dives better, and may use better materials) but the reliability and quality is still the same.

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  Astros are iffy - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By Clay Bum - December 28 - 2:00 am

  Everything went to hell at 60,000 miles... with me in it! Its been in the shop 6 times in the last two months. Every time I make any money it goes to my mechanic. As soon as I get back from SCIs New Years run I get to get the tranny fixed. Anyone want buy an Astro?

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  Dangerous vehicle - 2001 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Todd Peterson - December 28 - 2:00 am

  Terrible on wet roads. Slides easily when attempting to stop. Not a safe vehicle to drive. Im trading it in out of concern for my familys safety. Unfortunately, in less than 2 years it has depreciated by 50%.

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  need new brakes - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By pk2002 - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Purchased my Cavalier in February of 2001. Since then I have made it to 50,000 miles with no major problems. (I have had to replace the tires once.) But now I am noticing a brake problem recently. The Chevy doesnt like to slow down in the rain or ice. So I have to go into the shop for a tune-up and new brakes. But if that is the only thing that goes wrong for the next 50 K miles, then I will be one happy driver. It is a good entry-level car, if you know what you are paying for. It is not a Honda or Toyota, or anything close to that! Make sure that you get all the rebates that come with the car!!!

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  my wifes little kicker - 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Vaiobum - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this little car knowing they are very reliable & cheap to fix(price was cheap).Passed mech.fit. w/ flying colors(purchased as is).3000+KM in first month of ownership,some of it hard driving.This little kicker never quit.Runs good,could use some bodywork (long hard winters).In my opinion a good little kicker.Wife is happy too.

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  My Chevrolet Truck S-10 - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By Joe Sarazen - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle used. It served me for four years, but now I would like to turn it in for a new model.

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  Malibu LS - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By malibudriver - December 19 - 2:00 am

  Nice looking car, comfortable interior but many mechanical problems. Brakes, engine hesitation at freeway speed, cruise control not functioning etc. I really like everything about the car except for the mechanical defects and my dealership does not offer good customer service when something goes wrong. Safety is a high priority for me and when my lease is up in May 2003 I will be happy to get into another car that I can feel safe driving. The brake problem is just a little too much and seems to be irreparable. The 2000 Malibu seems to be hit or miss and I missed on this one.

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  Im Finished with GM - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By rrt - December 17 - 2:00 am

  This car was not a good purchase. A chronic oil leak, continual problems with power windows (1 front, 1 rear) and the trunk release have been irritating. Attention to quality in the details just isnt there.

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  Dissapointed in GM - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By MBaker - December 15 - 2:00 am

  I cannot begin to describe the headaches. GM quality has dropped radically over the past 7-10 years. The kicker on this truck was at 81,000 miles the intake manifold gaskets started leaking. I thought it was just a fluke but alot of people have this problem with these Vortecs. At 68,000 the transmission blew. Do you realize the sticker on this truck was over $35,000! And it dropped a tranny at a mere 68,000 miles. Pick you feet up GM.