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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  Put to the test Monte - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Kylene King - September 2 - 3:53 am

  The 1999 Monte Carlo Z34 was my very first car, and Ive had it for over 3 years. Naturally, as a teenager, Ive put it through a lot. The leather option is nice, but is somewhat "cheap" feeling, not at all like the leather found on newer models. Gas mileage I would have to say is "average." As a high-end V6, it definitely has power. Handling is good, steering seems good to me. The AC and heat is "average."

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  -90 Day Repair - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Lifelyke - September 2 - 3:34 am

  Within 90 days my new 2017 Chevy Cruze stopped on me in the middle of an intersection. Fortunately two good Samaritans pushed the car from danger. The check engine light came on. Took the car in and they said nothing is wrong with the car. On-Star notification said critical engine and transmission repair. Chevy dealership says, "Well, just bring it back if it breaks down again. We cannot find anything wrong with it." Seriously!!!

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  Great Value - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By BusyMan - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought the 95 Cav used with 140K mi on it in Dec 1999 for $2500). It is 3 years later, at a whopping 183K and aside from reg maint(oil, tires) I have only had to make one small repair to the bearing ($300). This car wont die! The body still looks like new, inside is great (roomy for a tall guy like me), and I still enjoy it. I have the most base model you can get, just bought it to drive into the ground (long commute). I have gotten more than my moneys worth!

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  2-1/2 ton Corvette! - 1995 Chevrolet Caprice
  By Captain Packrat - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Theres a reason the police have been using Caprices for over 30 years. Powerful Corvette V-8 engines, heavy- duty steel frame, solid construction, and superb reliability. The Caprice was designed to take anything criminals could throw at it. If a pursuit Caprice can last 250,000 miles with all that abuse, imagine how long it will last for the typical driver!

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  dont waste your time - 1990 Chevrolet Beretta
  By nomorechevys - September 2 - 2:00 am

  i have never seen so many problems with a car within 3 years! i have had the brakes changed(pads and rotors) fuel pump, 4 of the 6 fuel injectors had to be changed, the altenator, and the transmission 2x. i finally got rid of the piece of junk when the thing wouldnt pass the emmissions test. it also just started getting transmission problems again. do a favor and look into foreign cars. HONDA. i disliked them at first(only because i was all for american) but now am a total believer in them.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By lloyd2 - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle new and have zero problems over the last 2 1/2 years! What really impresses me about the Tracker is its versatility. It is home in the urban environment as well as off-road.

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  1994 Suburban - 1994 Chevrolet Suburban
  By cantorhome - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Although the gas mileage for this car is not very good, installing a K&N air filter seems to have made a considerable difference. This SUV is the perfect "family car". Tons of room for kids in the back two seats and great for transporting items. We recently purchased a new refrigerator and it fit in the back with the 3rd seat removed and the 2nd seat tilted down.

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  think about it - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Fox Hunter - September 2 - 2:00 am

  fun to drop the foot but all around this car is making me tiresome. pretty slick sitting inside but its not comfortable. you sit on the ground and the seats tire you on long rides. one stupid place to put a cat on the floor. becoming a boring body style. new style looks better. after only 78K miles i have dealt with a water pump break opti- spark and starter problem. dont forget how ingenius it was to put the opti- spark under the water pump. car is on sale and im looking to see how comfortable the newer zs might be. also looking towards ford to see the mustangs, can be fast too. i hear they are a better fit. camaros are fast but nothing else

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  worth every penny - 1994 Chevrolet Corvette
  By sparky - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought my first C4 Corvette and Im happy in every way. The preformance of the LT1 is awesum and the handeling is great. You could spend alot more on an import and get alot less. I feel the Corvette is ont the best bang for the buck cars out there. You can pick up a used Corvette for less than 20K than will out preform most new imports and all domestics except the Viper.

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  super sport - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By roly - September 1 - 9:46 pm

  if you want a good looking powerful truck this is it. this is the best truck ive ever had