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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  much improved - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jtn - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I previously owned a 95 sub and cannot believe the improvements. Handling is much improved over prior model. You can actually get into a parking spot at the grocery now. Tons of room, nothing better for long rides.

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  Should not have bought this. - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Hodor - October 2 - 7:43 am

  Should have gone with anyone but GM. Typical of the brand, speedometer doesnt work and no recall, service air bags notification on, needs third windshield, passenger door doesnt shut right, on third thermostat(non dealer this time), transmission slips but rarely, dealer tires didnt last any time at all. Little interior storage, glovebox doesnt hold much, will have to replace center seat with console storage. Good on gas mileage but V6 underpowered, computer wonky sometimes. Never been contacted about recall items.

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  The car you ahte to love - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By SBW - October 2 - 2:00 am

  2nd owner, this served me well 5 years. Want a different car, but this outdrives other used midsize sedans. I swear this will never die.

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  good dependable college car - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By trendy - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car my senior year of high school. The next five years that I owned this car I had to put vary minimal amounts of money into the maintenance of this car. Major repairs included a new alternator and distributer coils (or something close to that). I recently bought a new honda accord and I am happy to say I actually do miss my corisca. I am happy with my honda but my corsica drove very similar to my honda.

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  chevy fan - 1991 Chevrolet Caprice
  By pmar - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 1991 caprice used with 14,500 miles in 1995 and have 149000 miles on it now engine and trans still strong only reoccurring problem was the A/C system.

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  CRAP! - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ScottyPBDenver - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I have had my s-10 blazer sport since 98 and all it has done was suck my checking account dry. It had problems even the dealer couldnt diagnose. It would overheat for no reason, stall for no reason - been through 3 fuel pumps, 2 alternators and something wrong with the ac that I could never afford to fix. Piece of crap - dealer wouldnt even give me more than $500 as a trade in value.

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  2001 Chevy malibu - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By dtownfb - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I have been pleasently surprised by this car. I did not expect to have such a good experience with a GM car. Ive owned a 1994 Accord before this car and Im not saying it is better then the current Accord but it is a nice car. Esp. for the price. Since it seems that GM has finally ironed out some of the problem areas, I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  best ever vette! - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By gymdoc - October 2 - 2:00 am

  this is my third vette, and its the best ever. after about 25000 miles Im still trying to get used to the handling mainly at high speeds. I have the performance packageand it still feels soft at cornering or high speed turns (100+mph). My review: best bang for the buck, u live once, go get one before u die!

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  Repairs Ouch - 1992 Chevrolet Lumina
  By FIRE1 - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Love my Z. Unbelievable to repair. Poor engine compartment design. Everything is so difficult to get at. To replace altenator you have to drop front axle. Timing chain was a $1000 touch. In order to replace battery you have to remove bolted support and washer reservior before accessing battery, Not enough room for battery blanket. Goes like the wind but has a rattly and tinny sound to the muffler as opposed to throaty rumble which would match its look. Despite all, I love it and would not trade it.

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  keep your 4th gen FBodies... - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By zerogsx - October 1 - 2:00 am

  345lb-ft L98 is a torque monster. Mine was a Heritage Edition Z28, Bright Red with Black stripes. One of the more timeless designs to ever come from an auto styling studio- though Im not crazy about the hi-rise F40-style rear spoiler of 91-92. It was my daily driver for years and I didn’t make a single repair, short of tires and a small oil leak covered under warrantee. No t-tops and aftermarket subframe connectors make the body as solid as an I-beam-- no rattles/squeaks at all. I’ve owned at total of 5 third generation FBodies and loved them all. Traded it in for a 96 Z28/SS 6-speed and regret every second of it (but I needed a manual transmission!).