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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  The most under rated family van - 2000 Chevrolet Astro
  By Chris T. - October 18 - 2:00 am

  We sold our 1995 Astro only to buy another one for 2000. This van is the most under rated family vehicle on the road. It is more roomy than the Full Sized Expensive SUVs. The 4.3 6 cyclinder engine delivers a very good performance, despite what the horsepower rating of 190 says. This van is very smart.

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  I LOVE MY TRUCK - This thing doesnt break! - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Dan - October 17 - 9:28 pm

  Between 110,000 and 173,000, my most major repairs were replacing a light bulb and clean out a clogged mass airflow sensor. The rest was tires, brakes, shocks, fluids, and a wheel bearing. Ive averaged $81/mo over 5.5 years in maintenance and tires. Way cheaper than anything Ive ever owned and more than compensates for the gas mileage. It is very comfortable for me (64" 210lbs) and I can ride for hours. My only complaint is the rust. I was able to have the insides of the bottoms of the doors ground down, sealed, and repainted and that has held off that rust fairly well. BUT, the rockers, quarters and fenders are rotting very quickly. They probably got worse as I was typing. However, I love my truck so much that even at 173k, I may spring for new panels and paint.

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  You get a little more then you pay for - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Khris97 - October 17 - 10:00 am

  After rebates and so forth I paid 10K for this brand new car. You definatly get more then you pay for. the 2.2L 140hp engine matted to the manual 5 speed gearbox is great. The car is not a Benz so I wasnt expecting it to be as comfortable as one, but for a small car, its pretty decent. Braking is very smooth and sure. As with just about all American cars, theres a question as to the quality of the fit and finish, but I havent found any blemishes. Nothing rattles or squeeks. Wind noise and engine vibration is minimal. You really do get a lot for 10K.

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  Tahoe review - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tomyboy - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I think GM wrecked the 2003 tahoe, the 2002 was the last good year. The front seats are larger in the 02 than the 03. There are too many cubby holes in the dash area in the 03, and it looks unattractive. Had to take it to the dealer many times to fix a simple, yet, messy problem with the front axle leaking due to a defective vent tube. Build quality was surprisingly good. Great ride for an SUV with a truck frame!

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  my 2003 Tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By oienfvef - October 17 - 10:00 am

  This SUV stands far and away better than Expedition or Navigator for a couple of reasons. Better build, better ride, and better quality for your money. We did not pick the Navigator because it was just an over priced FORD. We also did not pick the Expedition because from the inside the quality was not their. Although the Expedition was comparably priced it just "Felt Cheap". The Tahoe is all class and very very comfortable and enjoyable.

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  Chevys are great - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By odoul rules - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I had a 2000 silverado Z71 with many extras and some graphics. I put Wild Country TXR on it and this truck just looked awsome. It had a lot of power and it was very fun to drive.

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  Not Satisfied - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Monroe - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I have had new vehicle in service dept. at least 8 times with the first being a very serious problem with the rear end. The air conditioner quit, daytime light out, radio wont play sometimes, noise in front dashboard. For the price Im paying Im very dissatisfied.

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  So far, so good - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By amram80 - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had the Silverado three weeks, but so far, its been a great truck. I did alot of research into buying this truck, and feel the Chevrolet is the best balance of power, comfort, safety, and dependability. The gas milage is about 17mpg, which isnt too bad for a V8 extended cab pickup.

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  Extreme Fun - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Ed Dunleavy - October 17 - 3:43 am

  I was looking for a fun, affordable, good gas mileage car, built in the USA. I found it. My experience driving this car has been a blast! Quick,agile, always willing and wanting to play.

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  OK commuter car - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By fuzzy - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I got this car a couple years ago from an old lady, and at the time it had very low milage. The car has remained reliable since then which the only major problem being an alternator replacement. Its a good car for getting from point A to point B, but not much else. The front seats are decently comfortable, but for two adults, the rear seats are a tight fit. Controls are clear and easy to read, but the plastic materials that make up the interior are somewhat drab.