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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  Time to buy a foreign Truck! - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By MarkyMark - June 7 - 2:00 am

  I had many problems with this vehicle from day one! Unfortunately, I purchase the used vehicle extended warranty! A year ago, at 93,000 miles.!. My engine ceazed up! The rod spun a bearing and that was it for this engine. Believe me this engine had its oil changed every 3000 miles and I was very good with the schedule maintenance. Amazing by the manufacturerers, said that these vehicles are maintenance free until 100,000 miles!!!! FALSE!!! So, in a year if that I will be buying a Foreign Truck , for a quiet ride, no rattles, and engine that will last over 100,000 miles with no headaches! And a manufacturer that backs up their vehicles!!!

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  Perfect first car! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Miranda - June 7 - 1:13 am

  This is my first car (Im 22) and I love it! Fuel economy is excellent, and it provides a good drive. For a small car it can be quite zippy when you want it to be. Its easy to coax into high speeds for highway driving. The air conditioning is fast to cool you down in 90+ heat, and in Texas, you need that. Ive fit some tall friends in the back comfortably, and everybody loves it. Plus its just uber cute, and the Aveo has the best color selection, way better then the Ford Focus or Toyota Echo.

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  so much fun - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By pinnpharmD - June 6 - 12:50 pm

  I have had this car for 2 weeks and I get a thrill every time I look at it and start it up. I cant get gas without at least 2-3 people stopping to come over and look at it. I got the imperial blue metallic with the silver stripes on the hood and trunk. So classy and that motor just makes my toes curl up in my shoes. The performance this car puts out is amazing and stuns the people I let drive it. Way to go Chevy!

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  Great car! - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By happyguy53 - June 6 - 2:00 am

  We have had a 95 Lumina for 7 years, and it has been great! The car has a good pickup and go, (v6 engine to thank for that) and we have had to put remarkably few repairs into it. We even parked it outside in the elements for 4 years straight, and it stood up to the snow, sun, and rain without rusting. A good car, very reliable, and fun to drive, too. Chevy did a good job with this one.

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  My Red Tonka Toy - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By 2002chevycrew - June 6 - 2:00 am

  This size and style of a truck fits my life style and kids. No its not the roomiest but its a compact truck not full size..

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  2000 Chevy Impalal - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By dmsummer - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Great car...no problems...sharp looking

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  First car (kinda) - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By RoNuS - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Well, this is my 2nd car and im 18 years old. My first car was a 1980 Ford Fairmont, so I obviously love my Cavalier a lot more than my piece of crap Fairmont. Although it may not have the power of many cars out on the road, the 4-speed automatic w/ overdrive makes it quite zippy.

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  Junk!!! - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Nichole - June 6 - 2:00 am

  I, like so many other Cavalier owners, have had too many problems with the car to find it enjoyable. To start with: the muffler rattles, the a/c only works on high, the glove box has traped my cds inside of it, the drivers side mirror refuses to stay upright, it will not start if there is less than 1/4 tank of gas, the thing just eats oil like there is no tomorrow, and sometimes the car will turn off as I am backing up.

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  itsnotarock - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By itsnotaford - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Breaks 3 times in 4 years 57000 miles. Speed sensitve steering slipping again 2 times. Leaking coolant at intake manifold. bolts not even tight. New waterpump at 48000. New alternator at 49000 miles. Air condition controls, compressor still runs when turned switch is in off position. Been replaced at 37000 miles. Was supposedly fixed 39000 miles doing same thing. Did not fix again, thank God i leave where it is hot 90% of the time. Evertime you get it fixed ther is something else. I have a 1994 ford f150, Knock on A BIG peace of wood. has but one thing and that was a transmission slip that a $150 fixed. CHEVY LIKE A ROCK! YEA RIGHT

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  3 Astros and Counting - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By Moms on her 3rd - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Well, I am on my third Astro Van. I literally cried we I was told I had to give the 1st one up at 100,000. Then the second one at 107,000 miles. Today in our throw-away world its nice to know there are somethings still dependable. I carry alot of children around and the ruggedness of this vehicle is unbelieveable. My only suggestion would be for Chevy to ask mothers what changes they would make. The rear windows opening is a very good point.Other than that I hope they keep making this model.