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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  Nothing else compared for the money - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By jmariner - June 8 - 8:43 pm

  With 6000km behind me, I can say that Im very pleased with my purchase. The powertrain is superb and interior space provides comfort thats completely devoid of tacky gimics common to the Japanese competition. Handling is very good for a FWD car, but the ride is stiff. The brakes will send your dentures through the windsheid and the gearbox has an "American" feel to it. Longish throw but having solid, positive engagements. Its really nice actually and it feels strong. To my eye, the body styling is beutiful in its simplicity despite the wing. GM did not "cheap-out" with this platform. Tested at the Nurburgring, it shows.

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  The Good The Bad And The Ugly - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Motor mind - June 8 - 2:00 am

  As far as being dependable, the only major problem we have had is the intake manifold gasket leaked antifreeze into the oil. The car likes to rust on Bottom of the back doors and the rear quarter over the wheel well. The engine has a lot of piston slap when it is cold, when it warms up it goes away. This is extremely annoying to me. The engine doesn’t run as smooth as it should with the AC on. It does have good acceleration. The radio sounds good. The anti lock brake malfunction light comes on all the time. I have had the front end aliened many times, but the tires still don’t last very long. I would recommend putting 70 series tires instead of 75.

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  9c1, LT - 1995 Chevrolet Caprice
  By dstiber - June 8 - 2:00 am

  160000 miles and not a drop of oil. Like a rocket ship.

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  Best car on the road - 2000 Chevrolet Metro
  By Ino Redneck - June 8 - 2:00 am

  Fantastic car- can see out, controls are simple and not distracting,fuel mileage is great, noone wants to steal it, and it gets me wherever I need to go. Seats are comfortable

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  Great car - 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  By randzz - June 7 - 2:40 pm

  My stingray just turned 10,000 miles and I have enjoyed every mile. The car is beautiful and great fun to drive. It is a head turner. The navigation and media center are simple to operate and very efficient. The car is fast and handles great. It also holds 2 sets of golf clubs. What more could you ask for.

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  Perfect blend of practicality and value - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By hoss - June 7 - 1:56 pm

  I bought this dark red program car as an ex-rental with ~10,000 miles on it in December 07. A certified used LT 2007 for $16,000. Great savings off of new and I dont particularly like the looks of the 2008. I love it so much more than the other cars I test drove (new foreign sub- compacts). Quality is on par and you get so much more for your money. Styling is great; mpg decent for V6 power; comfort; utilitarian design; safety features.

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  Z71, 6 Speed Auto, Cheap(er) - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By zjones - June 7 - 6:10 am

  Way better than my 2007 Classic 5.3 Silverado was. Smoother faster stronger more options better gas mileage. AFM works just fine. The 6 speed automatic is about 8 years late but now that its here it was worth the wait. Its a much better unit than the old 4 speed. Frame much stronger, bed is mounted right up next to the cab now and when you jam your 4 wheeler in there it wont bend the top of the bed anymore. It drives WAY better than the old ones...I had to zig zag at 70 mph to miss a stupid deer and the rollover and brake system work well. The new dual zone climate control actually works now too. 13000 miles in 3 months because I love to drive it.

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  These little trucks are worth it! - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By buying another s10 - June 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had my S-10 for six years. And I love my little truck. I put 100,000 miles on it and then had to start putting real $ into it. These trucks are worth the money you put into them. I am so pleased with my 94 that I am purchasing another one.

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  good little car - 1992 Chevrolet Lumina
  By jesschrista - June 7 - 2:00 am

  i got this car when i was in high school, because it was cheap. i drove it all through college, and i love it. i drove the heck out of it, and treated it like crap, and it never let me down. i pushed oil changes to the limit, drove it fast, and drove over 100 miles a day for more than a year like that, and it never died. i love that car.

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  LMAO at the F.O.R.D. Marauder - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By yes - June 7 - 2:00 am

  The marauder may very well be a good ford product but look forward to spongy brakes and no low end torque. Longevity is a question and well it just doesnt have the looks. I am still laughing all the way to the bank. My SS cost $19.500 the ford will cost about $35.000. My chevy was built by proud American workers who lovingly put this car together. 80.000 miles no problems, 14.00 in the quarter. Cop car suspension means no surprises. A note to FORD this is what happens when John Moss (a brillant automobile designer)really builds a car. Maybe you should hire him. Thank You Mr. Moss!!!