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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  Always driveable, seldom reliable - 1996 Chevrolet Astro
  By sendaibob - August 14 - 2:00 am

  The engine and transmission have been great. After 100,000 miles, the engine runs smoothly, and doesnt burn any oil. The motors for the power windows go out regularly, The sensors for the ABS system are also not reliable. The body has been solid. After 100,000 miles, still very few rattles.

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  S-10 15 months after purchase - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By ??????????? - August 14 - 2:00 am

  After owning this vehicle for 15 months, overall I am satisfied given the dollars spent. The vehicle looks great and has been reliable.

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  Lumina....A Great Value - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Ray Rack - August 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd Lumina, both purchased as 1 year used from Avis Auto Rental. My commute is 46 miles/day, with 1/3 city and the other 2/3 freeway. I average 28 MPG (UNREAL). Other than a front brake job at 60K miles on my 2nd car, I have had ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS WITH EITHER VEHICLE requiring dealer service. I currently have 73k miles on my 1999 and STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL TIRES with legal tread! A great front wheel drive system: I live on a hill with lots of snow in the winter and have had this car on many mountain dirt roads with absolutely no power or traction problems. Chevy gets a GOLD STAR for this very well designed, basic sedan.

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  Best value in sports cars. - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By bryrac - August 14 - 2:00 am

  Great looks and performance, better gas mileage than expected, and a great ride

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  love it - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By jennifer liedel - August 14 - 2:00 am

  i love my van i am so comfertable in it my kids absolutly love it also i have so much room to put things in it and it can get up and go. our gas milage is wonderful we get about 24 miles to the gallon. i would buy another one again.

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  Virtyually trouble free - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Joe - August 13 - 6:34 pm

  Fuel economy is abysmal, 11mpg around town and 15 on the highway. Ride is very good for a 3/4 ton truck and the spit cloth front seats are comfortable, as are the rear. I can fit 3 adults or a couple car seats and/or boosters with no problem, I just wish the middle seat had a headrest. Everything is laid out logically and the materials are fine with the exception of the hard plastic dash, but no rattles as of 181K miles and my interior is still in near new condition. 6.0 liter tows very well with more grunt than I expected. It does burn 1-2 quarts of oil between oil changes (5000 mile intervals) depending on the type of driving. It also developed an exhaust manifold leak around 100k but it goes away after the engine has warmed up, about 5 minutes or a few miles. The 4 speed automatic has been rock solid but it could use two more gears. Reliability has been outstanding. One sensor covered under warranty and routine maintenance, thats it. Having previously owned Ford trucks Ill have to say Ive been very impressed. Id say Id buy another one but I figure I have at least another 100K miles to go before I will need to.

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  1st Silverado Purchase - 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By speed3fan1 - August 13 - 5:09 am

  Even though the interior is a little behind it is still very functional. I bought the 4x4 z71 and absolutely love it. It rides great, sounds great and has plenty of power. Being able to fold up the back seats and have basically a flat floor makes it very useful to put things in the cab or simply have a flat spot for the dog. This is my first Silverado and hopefully it will make me a believer!

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  Not good - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By billyboy46 - August 13 - 2:00 am

  A real lemon. I bought a problem and have regretted it ever since. I wouldnt do it again.

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  amazing suv - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Chlowin826 - August 13 - 2:00 am

  As a first time driver and first time car owner, owning a chevy blazer has been a great experience. I feel completely a ease driving it and I know that I would be safe if I were to be in a accident. Even though my car has 101,000 miles on it is still runs as if it were new. It is a comfortable ride and the the back seat is ten times more spacious then my parents jeeps. Thr gas mileage is also better then my parents jeeps. Overall I love this car and would recomend that anyone invest in owning a Chevy Blazer.

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  Ive tried to love it, BUT - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Sad in San Fran - August 13 - 2:00 am

  Like another reviewer, I really want to love this car, and I have. The size is perfect inside (plenty big enough) and out (not an SUV monstrosity) it handles well and is generally a pleasure to drive. BUT - just had to replace the alternator and tensioner belt, and the bladder for the power brakes, all separate events two weeks after my extended warranty expired. Sad to say, I got my moneys worth on the ext warrty too - ABS replacement at 40K numerous brake issues and recalls have never been happy with the braking on this car. At this point, I am getting rid of this poorly made vehicle as soon as I have time to buy somethng - no more chevys for me!