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 garaged.....@ repair shop - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By iboughtalemon - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 97 blazer used with less than thirty thousand miles, intending to put on One hudred thousand or more. I just cant seem to keep it out of the shop long enough to put the miles on it. I now have close to seventy thousand pampered miles and have over $4000 in repairs.... 1 complete rear end, a new set of lifters(under 50k), valve body in transmission, pulley on serpentine belt system and several other minor things that I cant recall. I am currently getting ready to install a new fuel pump and gas guage or amybe Ill just get another car.

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  The New Monte Carlo - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By TallPaul - July 8 - 2:30 pm

  Plenty of head and leg room even for 6 4" people. Comfortable interior. Handles well in snowy conditions. Great gas mileage. Smooth responsive excelleration. Handles good for a larger car. Fantastic retail price. Good standard options. A sports car for a tall man.

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  I still love this truck! - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By MIZZSS - July 8 - 3:56 am

  Wow! Three years later and I still love everything about this truck. I love the handling, the sleek/tough look (mine is black). Can a truck be your bestfriend? Mine is, its does what I need when I need, and is always willing to give me a lot more, if needed. This truck is one of the funniest vehicles I have driven.

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  1995 S10 - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Todd Neu - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Fun car! Now has 118K miles. Replaced A/C compressor

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  Good Family Wagon - 1990 Chevrolet Celebrity
  By Mom and Apple Pie - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Celebrity Wagon for approximately 10 years. It has been a very solid and reliable vehicle, until it hit the 150,000 mark and began to experience age-related troubles. One truly outstanding feature of this wagon has been its engine...it is very peppy and has pickup to spare, making it a lot more fun to drive than even some regular cars I have driven. It is a car that has served me well, and if I could go back in time, I wouldnt hesitate to buy it all over again. Maybe the car has a face/exterior only a mother could love, but...thanks Celebrity...I love you! :)

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  Its been a great car for all 7 years... - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By troy - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Z-24 in 1995 when the new design was first introduced. You might notice that the Honda Civic is both more cramped inside and does not provide an adequate arm-rest in the center console. Im not a short guy, so I highly appreciate the increased space on the inside, especially for all of the long distance cross-country travel I have done. Id buy another one, but Chevrolet has stopped offering Z-24 models as of this year. This 95 Z-24 in Hawaiian Orchid paint, factory five-star 16" wheels, and added tinted windows has been the perfect college student car, as well as daily commuter and distance travel vehcle for me.

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  Total package - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Smiling Brad - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely wonderful SUV. This is my 2nd Suburban (previous was a 97 SLT). This is loaded, comfortable, and driver friendly. If you are looking for a total package, look no further!!!

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  The dreaded Clunk - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By FLTAHOE - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I recently sold my 99 tahoe, I had the exact clunk that many have written about. The dealer greased, replaced u- joints and replaced the yoke. This made the clunk go away for about 3000 miles, after that it came back again. I was told that there was nothing more that Chevrolet was willing to do...Guess I may go and buy an Expedition.

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  Loving My Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jacqueline - July 7 - 1:00 pm

  I truly love this vehicle. My Equinox is easy to control, drives wonderfully, very good on gas and it LOOKS good. I love all the room within the vehicle. And the features I truly enjoy, such as the DVD player, satellite radio, sunroof and the OnStar. I especially like the OnStar system, due to the fact that I know Im protected at all times. The vehicle notifies you of mechanical problems.

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  Not Great - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By 400Degreez - July 7 - 2:00 am

  I have a 1999 Chevrolet S/10 Sport...I think the looks are nice..but mine is falling apart..like the others said, the seat lever broke with so little force..and I have had sum problems with the engine.