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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  always garaged.....@ repair shop - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By iboughtalemon - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 97 blazer used with less than thirty thousand miles, intending to put on One hudred thousand or more. I just cant seem to keep it out of the shop long enough to put the miles on it. I now have close to seventy thousand pampered miles and have over $4000 in repairs.... 1 complete rear end, a new set of lifters(under 50k), valve body in transmission, pulley on serpentine belt system and several other minor things that I cant recall. I am currently getting ready to install a new fuel pump and gas guage or amybe Ill just get another car.

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  The dreaded Clunk - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By FLTAHOE - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I recently sold my 99 tahoe, I had the exact clunk that many have written about. The dealer greased, replaced u- joints and replaced the yoke. This made the clunk go away for about 3000 miles, after that it came back again. I was told that there was nothing more that Chevrolet was willing to do...Guess I may go and buy an Expedition.

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  Not Great - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By 400Degreez - July 7 - 2:00 am

  I have a 1999 Chevrolet S/10 Sport...I think the looks are nice..but mine is falling apart..like the others said, the seat lever broke with so little force..and I have had sum problems with the engine.

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  great utility, lousy on bumps - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Omaha Dad - July 5 - 2:00 am

  Most people complain about the mileage, but I get between 14 and 17 miles per gallon (much better than Ford or Chrysler in comparable models). The engine is a dream. Cargo space and people hauling is tremendous, but the fun factor is terrible. The jolts I get going over bumps is alarming, but the dealer says everyone with large SUVs and trucks get the same. My burb feels like its falling apart going over rough terrain, I cant imaging others feel the same thing.

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  Not buying another Chevy - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By WontBuy2ndMalibu - July 4 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car used a year ago with 52k. Since then have put over $4k in maintenance. Its been in the shop 30% of the time since purchase.

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  Very Generic Feeling - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Pablo - July 4 - 2:00 am

  In short, this car just came off feeling like a very generic economy sedan. The HP and Torque numbers look good on paper, but on the road the 3.4L engine was quite anemic. The steering had a huge dead spot in the middle on straightaways at highway speeds; keeping it on-center took a lot of work. Also, the sound system has really poor separation and muddy bass. I know some might disagree with this, but even with less HP (and for about $2,100 less in price), I really prefer the Dodge Stratus for styling, comfort and handling.

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  Great truck??? - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Mike N - July 3 - 2:00 am

  Have owned my 2001 Tahoe for 1 1/2 years. Have had more problems with this vehicle than any other Ive ever owned. Problems have ranged from warped trim to major power-train issues. This truck has been in the shop more times than I care to think about. When it is functioning well I must say that it can haul, tow, comfortably seat and ride well the best in this class. Im concerned that it will continue to cause problems after the warranty expires and therefore am planning to get rid of it.

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  What is this? - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dbruce - July 1 - 10:43 pm

  I am or was a loyal Chevrolet customer. Well im sad to say that this truck has changed my mind. I have had multiple problems with it. From tail light to water pump. The quality of my 91 was way better. The worst part of it was when the warrenty ran out ( it had 36200 miles and they wanted to charge me for fixing a problem the hadnt fixed in the past) Chevrolet decided not to stand by their product. Really disapointing, well Toyota here I come.

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  Simeyas Cheverolet Tracker Experience - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Simeya Hobby - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Well, since I have bought my new Tracker i have had nothing but problems. I had 3 oil leaks with in 1 year on owning the car, gas pump went out, brake light went out, suspension bolt was loose, and a coolant leak. I never imagined I would have this much trouble with a new car. I havent had the car 2 years yet. The dealer ship has offered to buy the car back from me and give refund me for all of my payments ( with the help of the BBB).

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  Engine and brake problems - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By TMoore2491 - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Rattling noise deep in engine continually gets louder with time. Dealer (Ivan Leonard) says problem is piston wrist pins. Says can tear down engine and replace but noise will come back in about 5000 miles!! Now way to sell this thing with the noise or after rebuilt engine. I know others with same problem. For one person, dealer fixed twice but claims they cant hear a knocking noise on third round! Also, had front disks replaced at 5000 miles. Now they are warped at 20000 miles causing steering vibration when braking. Also make loud creaking noises when braking.