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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  Hit and miss - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Fritz - November 10 - 1:16 am

  Upon first driving car was impressed by acceleration for a diesel and smooth shifting and ride. Brakes are excellent. However after some time have found the ride to smooth and solid on smooth and solid roads. Anything but and the ride is as choppy and bouncy as my 2016 Jeep Cherokee(which is an appropriate ride for an SUV). Road impacts e.g potholes, manholes are loud and harsh for such a solid feeling chassis. Shifts are great unless you try evasive driving, three point turns or lift off and quickly accelerate again. Transmission moves to such a high gear, car barely moves or bogs down to no go which has become a huge safety concern for me. Full throttle, part throttle, nothing fixes it. God help you if a train is coming. Car auto stop feature has not returned car to on a couple of times when coming to full stop before a merge into traffic. Interior looks great except for uneven gaps, yellow foam from front seats showing. Navigation is voice request - call to get directions - no map. Android Auto works great but miss my Dodge that had great navigation options included with price of vehicle for five years. Road noise on all but new roads. Gas mileage is great, diesel is quiet in almost all situations. If they fixed the ride(without impacting the good handling) and transmission quirks in this car, it would be a delight five stars. 20% off purchase price PLUS incentives made this an economical purchase.

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  Another Impala LTZ For Me - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By markgigharbor53 - November 9 - 8:50 pm

  This is my second Impala LTZ in two years. I traded my 06 for this 08. Great car for the money. The car is wonderfully equipped, as was my 06. I drive for business so I put on a lot of miles. The only complaint I have with the 08 is the lower fuel mileage vs the 06. I am only averaging around 23.5 hwy. (28-30 with same engine/options on the 06) Check eng. light finally came on Sunday with 10k miles. Took to dealer who said it was a throttle body unit. I hope it will solve the FM issue. If you have an 08 with disappointing mileage then have them check it out. Overall you will not be disappointed with an 08 Impala LTZ!

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  I love my car! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ccjdb11 - November 9 - 5:26 pm

  I have looked and admired this vehcile since it first came out!And I finally got the deal that I wanted and the car that I wanted with the features I desired! This is the only car that my husband and myself both agreed on. We went to the dealership and drove off that day! Plenty of room for 2 growing boys in the back. Looking in from the outside doesnt do it justice! My in- laws even said that from the outside it didnt look like it had much room but when they opened it up and rode they themselves were really impressed! I cant say enough about this SUV other than I waited a long time to fall in love with a car and I found it in the Equinox!

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  Great little car - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Chris Graham - November 9 - 2:00 am

  I just recently bought my prizm from a dealership after spending months looking at corollas. i couldnt believe the fact that they are the exact same car. the only thing i wish it had was a center armrest console. but it drives great, gets great gas mileage and was priced to sell so im more than happy!

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  Great American SportsCar - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jtin - November 9 - 2:00 am

  This car has been great. I had it for 3 yrs. and it performed like a dream. I cant describe the feeling you get when you sit behind the wheel of one of these beauties and mash on the throttle. The shear power of this baby is mind boggling. I hate to see it go, but i need something more spacious in my line of work. For those of you out there looking for performance, seek no further and the price aint bad neither. Long Live The CAMARO!!!

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  91 s10 2.8 litre - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By EL - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive only put 6000 miles on it so far however not a single problem yet, and Ive made 3 750 mile road trips back home included in those miles! I hear alot of bad PR about this Chevy 2.8 V6: sure theres not alot of pickup and mediocre power but it sure runs smooth and reliably so far. I had a camaro with the same engine no probs there either.

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  Two words: peel out - 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Fwapadalaplap - November 8 - 2:00 am

  People laughed when I staged in my 1992 Z24, but it was a real blast to totally beat them off the line. I purchased it used from an uncle, who never had any problems with it and performed all regular maintenance himself. This car is fun to ride, and its like my miniature sports car... Ill keep dreaming. Its great on the highways (no problems merging or passing, around 27MPG) and idles nice in traffic. The engine sound is a great bonus you dont expect it from this little car.

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  3rd ones a charm! - 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Frank J. S. - November 8 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Corvette (1975 Stingray, 1986 Coupe)and the best one yet. It handles great and the technology is cool. Looks best with the top down. I have the pewter/black/black. I added chrome wheels and exhaust tips. Its really an eye catcher! If you havent already, buy one. Youll love it!

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  Getting a Honda - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By malipooh - November 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 2000 Malibu in 10/00. I decided to go with the Malibu over an Accord to save money. I had to replace the rotors at 34,600. Then again at 38000, 44000, and 48000. My lower intake manifold cracked at 46000, and that was merely $1600 to get fixed. I too get colder air from my recirculate than from my A/C. My biggest complaint is the resale value. I got the Malibu for $3000 less than the Accord,I still owe over $9K and its trade in is just over $6K. If I had bought the Accord I would owe just over $11K and it would be worth $14K. So instead of saving $3K I lost $6K(not including repair costs). Bottom line? Im buying a Honda.

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  Worst Vehicle I ever purchased - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By John1111 - November 8 - 2:00 am

  They forgot to give us all the little extra like the netting for the back. We found stains on the chairs.