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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  Wife doesnt want to trade it in..... - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By wtm - March 19 - 2:00 am

  We liked it so well we are trading it in on a 2002. Very versatile for my scoccer mom wife..... Really liked the versatility of modular seats. On long road trips we would fold the driver side middle seat down (folding the back down makes the back completely flat) and strap on a TV/VCR for the kids and head down the road. Mom & I would plug in the headphones and listen to books on tape. Worked great!! Only problem that we ever had in four years was that the power sliding door got out of sync once. The dealer unplugged the power and pluged it back in to re-set (no charge)..... and we were on our way.

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  OUCH! - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By hate cavalier - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Ignition failed to start the car 4 times in warranty, recall did not fix. 36042 miles, water pump ($1000). 37K miles, oil pump ($1000) Cost $1000. 39K Motor mounts $300. 48K miles, main bearings went out. Oil changed every 3k miles. No one would rebuild the engine. All said the engine (2.4L) does not last more than 2K miles after being rebuilt. Had to get a USED replacement engine. Cost $2000. Total $4300 within 12K miles of 36K mile warranty expiring. Never buy another Chevrolet.

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  Looks Can Be Deceiving - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dustin - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car after lease in July of 2001 from dealer. Since then I have already replaced the breaks (rotors worn totally down) and had the transmission completely rebuilt at only 41,303 milesand $2200. The electrical system has also failed twice (all power and guages shut down while driving). As I am typing this my car is sittig at AAMCO for the second time since purchase.

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  Fun but not reliable - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Car buff 64 - March 18 - 5:35 pm

  I bought this car used with 40000 miles. Had problems with head lights , power windows and rear gasket seal after first 3 months. Needless to say I am not happy. Driving this car is a blast. Fast and handles great, a real head turner in black especially. Youll have to decide which outweighs the other, headaches or headturner.

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  Major Engine Defect in 2001 Corvettes - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Charles Patrick - March 18 - 5:26 pm

  All 2001 Corvettes were manufactured with defective piston rings that cause the engines to use excessive amounts of oil-1 quart per 1,000 miles or less in most cases. Avoid purchase of these vehicles.

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  Great vehicle for the money - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Grodrig3 - March 18 - 2:50 pm

  Excellent vehicle for the price. It comes fully loaded and the DVD player/Sound system with the wireless headphones is awesome. It keeps the kids entertained on longer trips.

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  Lemon 2x - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By JPPP - March 18 - 2:31 pm

  First had a 2000 bad trans - lemon lawed it Currently my 5 month old 2002 Venture is in the shop for trans problems

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  Headbanging Impala - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By lionel weathers - March 18 - 1:26 pm

  I love the look I all ways wanted one when they first cam out.when they put the shifter on the floor in 96 four years later I got one and its been heaven only had 18,952 miles on it. Iam in a car club called Michigan Impala Super Sport Lover (MISSL)and Club Super Sport (CSS). This car will be pass down to my great great grand kids. Iam only 30 So I have a long time to play.

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  SHARP FUNNNNNN RIDE - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By MIKE Brennan - March 18 - 2:08 am

  Its just fun to drive

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  Not Much Trouble - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By fabiant - March 18 - 2:00 am

  I had very little trouble with this vehicle. I have had it for three years and the only thing I can honestly say that I didnt like was that the seat lever for moving the seats forward and back broke several times with minimal force on them. Once while under warrenty and both sides broke after warrenty period. They make them out of pot metal and that stuff is worthless!! I think the levers should have been a recall item!