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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  Love it! - 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 92Shawnster - August 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought the 92 with 92000 miles on the clock and after a year of flat out fun, have about 101000 miles and as many smiles! The true American Sports Car is alive and well!!

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  Nice looking cool vehicle when it runs - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Glenn from Greentown - August 27 - 2:00 am

  Best thing about this vehicle is the cup holder, and its too small. Ive had nothing but problems with the suspension, alignment, and the computerized engine controlls. I had a perfectly good Ford Ranger pickup with 2WD, but wanted something with 4WD. I traded "up" to a newer and better vehicle??? Yeah, right. The Chevy dealer has no problem charging money to fix it, but the only part of the transaction that gets completed is me paying - no fixing involved.

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  98 Pace Car - 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Russ Hibbard - August 27 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR! Wasnt sure about the styling when it first came out but it grows on you. Very fast and with the top down looks awesome. I have owner many vettes and this one is almost perfect. Plenty of room inside and a trunk too. Luggage room for two for a week trip. Solid feel both on the road and when you close the doors. Best riding and perfomance corvette yet!!

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  Lumina is Awsome - 1992 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Bob Ted - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Luminas are awsome, and mine goes 110 mhp and gets 25 mpg and it has a spoiler.

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  Good car for the money. - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By I Like Chevrolet - August 26 - 2:00 am

  My parents had a Corsica prior to my wife and I going out to get ours. I have been impressed with both. Theyre econmical to maintain, very dependable, durable transportation. You cant beat the "Bang for the Buck" on these cars.

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  A great car if you can find one! - 1995 Chevrolet Corsica
  By ACC - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I have the 1995 V6 Corsica. Never had a problem with it. Bought it with 22,000 miles and runs better than my new V6 Mercury Sable. Wife wont let me trade it for any new car. "Its her car"! The car has no frills, no power anything except power locks. Paint looks good and no problem with pealing. This car is outside in the HOT Florida sun! No problem with electrical system. I wish they would make cars as the Corsica I have. Its a great car and fun to drive with its powerful V6 engine. Everyone is surprised when I take off and leave them in the dust, even a Corvette!! Enough said. Buy one if you find one.

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  1998 K1500 suburbaN - 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
  By gbreedlove - August 26 - 2:00 am

  GREAT VEHICLE...JUST PURCHASED. HAD A FEW MINOR PROBLEMS (IE REPLACED SHOCKS,TIRES) REAR DOOR WAS LEAKING WATER WHEN IT RAINS, BUT OVERALL DRIVES GREAT AND PLENTY OF ROOM! ONLY DOWNFALL IS REALLY REALLY REALLY BAD GAS MILEAGE. EXPECT 15 MILES TO THE GALLON AT BEST FROM A 4X4

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  What a Car!!! - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SaraBrooke - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Great car!!!! Of course Ive had to fix some normal wear and tear problems, but it has been a great car!! Very fun to drive and very flashy!! Ive had it for 2 years and I still am thrilled to get behind the wheel everyday!!!

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  Great Car - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Dahveed - August 26 - 2:00 am

  The 1995 V-6 convertible Camaro is great. The significant troubles have included both window motors, broken hinge on center console lid, started burning a quart of oil every 2000 miles after about 60K. 21 mpg city, 26 hiway (Calif smog). Quick and fun to drive.

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  2000 Chev Z24 review - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ORF - August 26 - 2:00 am

  My Z24 outperforms other compact coupes in many ways. It was thousands of dollars (Cdn) cheaper than Japanese rivals and the 150hp engine offers ample mid-range torque that most Japanese engines dont have. Shifting is crisp and smooth with the Getrag 5- speed. Ride is stiff but helps a lot keeping the car stable during cornering. Reliability is better than expected. The only problems I have encountered so far were the erratic fuel guage and battery leakage, which were fixed under warranty. Overall the car is very fun to drive and inexpensive to own.