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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  If you like little trucks good choice - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By AJP - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought my S10 used and have only had it for a couple of months but I like it I use it to go to college and part time work even though it is no speed demon the little four cylinder has plenty of pulling power yet save you tons on gas the extended cab it great I have children and some times they ride in the back even if there is no one else in the truck they love it. I am a male about 200 hundred lbs and I have also rode in the back it was not the most comfortable ride but suitable when neccesary. Love my litte blue skidder (some times I help my brother drag down timber out of his wooded area so that we can cut it up for fire wood). Anthony

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  Summary of vehicle condition. - 1991 Chevrolet Caprice
  By Stan - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Oil was changed every 3,000 (as close as possible)miles. I have never had to add any oil between changes. Maintenance was performed as soon as possible. Vehicle was never in any major accident and only three very minor ones. Upholstery is in excellent condition.

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  Summary of vehicle condition. - 1991 Chevrolet Caprice
  By STAN - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Oil was changed every 3,000 (as close as possible)miles. I have never had to add any oil between changes. Maintenance was performed as soon as possible. Vehicle was never in any major accident and only three very minor ones. Upholstery is in excellent condition.

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  Good car! - 1995 Chevrolet Beretta
  By sillygirl - January 18 - 2:00 am

  This car is a good car. I havent had to many problems with it and have owned it for almost eight years! The only main problem i had was i had to replace the engine, but other than that, its very reliable. A very comfy car to drive in. There arent that many goodies with my car, just the basic radio, no tape player or cd player. But its a good car that will get you were you need to go to!

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  Great Lil Car! - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By FastnFuriousgirl713 - January 18 - 2:00 am

  This car is so fun to drive! Its great in snow. Its so sporty and cute! It has the small size, but the power to move. Great buy.

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  My yellow ragtop - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By sdfghsdfhg - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I picked my baby up in NC and drove to NH. What a rush. It blows my BMW M# away. Anyone wanna buy a BMW???

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  there crazy, we aint stupid. - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By N. B. Doyle - January 18 - 2:00 am

  She might look good be it doesnt cut it. Its not a rock its a pebble. GM should take this toy and work it on the farm and on gravel roads before they talk. Its a sad day when you have to go and get a tractor to pull it. back end to light, poor electronics, poor design over all, they sould go back to the board on this one, water leaks, poor steering, poor warranty work, three weeks the repair shop was enough to leave it there period. GM ought to be paying you to advertize. thats the only change.

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  all useful truck - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By beewize - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Sold old ford and 96 toyota tacoma for this truck, and am not disappointed. Keeps my stuff locked and dry, can haul anything, carries 5 people allday and night with comfort. Try removing just the back glass on a warm days drive, its great.

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  Reliable good-looking car - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Taylor B. - January 17 - 5:45 pm

  I love my 2012 Chevy Cruze. I fell in love with the interior the second I sat in it. I bought the car used and have had it for nearly 2 years now with NO problems at all. Has about 64k miles on it at this point as well. For the price, it is a great car. Even survives the harsh NE winters - which was surprising. The only problem is the shifting is pretty poor in most situations. It will often feel like the car is lurching forward when shifting. Strange. Other than the weird shifting, this car is great.

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  Family Car with Attitude - 1995 Chevrolet Impala
  By KCP - January 17 - 2:00 am

  The first three years I had my SS, I used it to commute to work in style. After getting a company vehicle, my wife took the car and used for domestic tasks, showing its versatility. The SS has enough spunk with the LT1 engine and maneuverability to get around in rush hour traffice. Its handling makes for a fun drive on a challenging road. Yet it has comfort and room for a family vacation. Its weight gives an added sense of safety and security. The 94 - 96 Impala SS is one of the best cars Chevy has put on the road. Only recurring problem with mine was power window repair and it has its third water pump.