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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  burb dad - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jmsands - June 15 - 2:00 am

  Recently purchased burb had altenator go and had to replace the battery.After that faulty intake valves had to be replaced.the dealer stood behind this even though waranty had expired.

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  Wont buy another - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Gordie - June 15 - 2:00 am

  I liked the truck when I first got it, but have had nothing but problems. Moldings, window and door seals had to be replaced. Security system wouldnt let truck start, loose control arm bolts, now Im having problem with noisy rear shocks and clunking transmission. I am also having problems with the 2wd/4wd electronic shifting. It is shifting on its own and having electronic problems.

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  98 CHEVY MAILBU - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By wIL - June 11 - 2:00 am

  FRONT END HAS ALWAYS BEEN UNBEARABLY NOISY. HAD FRONT END WORK TWICE. HEADLIGHTS LEAKED FROM DAY ONE, REPLACED AND THEY STILL LEAK. ABS LIGHTS COME ON EVERY NOW AND THEN. CD PLAYER SKIPS CONSTANTLY THROUGH THE HOLE SONG. STEREO LIGHTS HAVE BURNED OUT. ENGINE HAD COOLANT LEAK, AND POWER STEERING PUMP WENT , MAJOR REPAIR COST OVER $1800 TO FIX GASKET AND PUMP. ENGINE IS A BIT NOISY. TRANSMISION CLUNKS GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERVE, BUT OTHERWISE SHIFTS FAWLESSLY. ACCELERATION IS PRETTY GOOD AND CORNERING FEELS GOOD. PAINT IS SOFT AND SCRATCHES VERY EASILY. AIR CONDITIONER TURNS ON AND OFF WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT. AIR IS NOT COLD.

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  Be careful - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By noone - June 10 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I bought the 2000 WB Venture after downsizing from a Chevy Astro. The only reason for getting rid of the Astro was convience of taking sleeping kids out of car seats in the back. Although we love the dual doors, and power driver side door (when it worked), we found ourselves quite frequently back at the dealership for the power sliding door. When the door didnt work, it would open manually either... Make sure you check that van has had the recalls done. I just traded my Venture for An AWD Astro 2002....Good By Venture....

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  MAIN FUEL LINE LEAKING - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By robin arrants - June 9 - 12:45 am

  I have not had any problems with my 2013 Cruze untill I noticed a gas ordor. Thinking I had stepped in gas at the pump I over looked it. Untill I got out of my car the next day and still smelled the odor of gas. Upon looking under the hood I saw the problem, my main fuel line had a leak. Well know that I could no longer drive the car I called GM about the warranty. Did I mention that this just happened on a Saturday afternoon in my yard. I called GM on Monday morning and yes it was under warranty they would have road side assistance come get it. After being put on hold and then the customer service person told me that I would have to have a fire truck be there when they arrived and escort them to the dealership. Mind you I live in a rural area that would require a fir truck from the county I live in then another one for the county it was going in. Yes there would be a cost involved. They laughed when I told them what I was told. So I them took matters into my own hands. I called a local wrecker company he said that he would get it on a roll back and charge me $75.00. So I called the local dealership to make sure that they would not have a problem with that. Did not want to void the warranty in any way. They told me it would be ok as long as I knew the libalities involved. My car was delivered on Monday they part was ordered and I picked up my car on Friday afternoon. The dealership was great had nor problem. But I am out of $75.00 and I do not want to go through the hassle of trying to get my monry back.

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  Time to buy a foreign Truck! - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By MarkyMark - June 7 - 2:00 am

  I had many problems with this vehicle from day one! Unfortunately, I purchase the used vehicle extended warranty! A year ago, at 93,000 miles.!. My engine ceazed up! The rod spun a bearing and that was it for this engine. Believe me this engine had its oil changed every 3000 miles and I was very good with the schedule maintenance. Amazing by the manufacturerers, said that these vehicles are maintenance free until 100,000 miles!!!! FALSE!!! So, in a year if that I will be buying a Foreign Truck , for a quiet ride, no rattles, and engine that will last over 100,000 miles with no headaches! And a manufacturer that backs up their vehicles!!!

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  itsnotarock - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By itsnotaford - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Breaks 3 times in 4 years 57000 miles. Speed sensitve steering slipping again 2 times. Leaking coolant at intake manifold. bolts not even tight. New waterpump at 48000. New alternator at 49000 miles. Air condition controls, compressor still runs when turned switch is in off position. Been replaced at 37000 miles. Was supposedly fixed 39000 miles doing same thing. Did not fix again, thank God i leave where it is hot 90% of the time. Evertime you get it fixed ther is something else. I have a 1994 ford f150, Knock on A BIG peace of wood. has but one thing and that was a transmission slip that a $150 fixed. CHEVY LIKE A ROCK! YEA RIGHT

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  Nickel and Dimed - 1996 Chevrolet Astro
  By kshea - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Every year new irritating problems with this vehicle. I got sick of fixing them and now theyve really piled up. Broken power windows, broken wiper motor, growling transmission, broken A/C (for three years), high speed on heater fan, tailgate handle/latch,...it goes on. Too bad for all of the problems cause it has great potential. Its bigger than the minis and smaller than the full sized vans. can fit a full sized piece of plywood and close all ofthe doors. I wish it was more reliable,....I wouldve bought another. BUT NO!

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  a nice size, but major mechanical issues - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mom of three - June 3 - 2:00 am

  i have three tall sons and they loved the burb when i purchased it for my birthday. i was impressed that it drove like a car, smooth. i have had problems since then: drive shaft fell out on the hiway, wires wrapped around the four wheel drive shaft, horn stopped working, signal lights had to be replace several times, replaced brakes and tires.

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  What out for the Head Gaskets - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Leardron - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car since it was brand new in 96. It has 73,000 miles on it and the Head Gasket went. Its going to cost me a pretty $700 to get it fixed. The mechanic doing the work said that Corsicas are notorious for this. He alone has replaced 25 head gaskets on Coriscas. If you buy one, what out for it.