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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  Lifelong Chevy owner - may change - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Kevin - October 17 - 5:13 am

  Average vehicle to drive. 54,000 replaced air conditioning, power window motor. 74,000 rebuilt the transmission, 107,000 rebuilt the transmission. Dont flush the transmission, drop the pan. Only had flushed twice, once at dealer, once at ASE certified. Needed a new tranny within 2 days - both times. Get the 5.3, not 4.8 - no gas savings there. A very disappointed lifelong Chevy owner. Ive got a 94 Chevy 4.3L with 300K that runs better than this one.

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  So long Ford, I have my "Mustang" now! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By R. J. M. - October 16 - 5:33 am

  I ordered a Mustang GT back in Aug. 05, December came and the dealership still could not tell me when it would be built. Wanted a car with "power", drove the SS and that was it! Ive never looked back, what Mustang? This car is a beast. Im 65" and have plenty of room (big selling feature). The power is great, this thing is a lead sled but the V8 moves it effortlessly. Its a straight line car, wontt be taking turns at 100 mph. If you want a car that combines power, some sport, good ride, vast amount of room (up front & in the trunk, back seat a tad tight), and luxury car amenities, then this is a car to look at. I just hope it proves to be reliable, no problems so far!

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  Fool me once...fool me 2x, shame on me - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jerry Schreck - October 15 - 2:00 am

  Never again. Bought a 2000, made a lemon-law claim due to problems with the drive-train (front or rear??? they could never figure it out). Replacement vehicle has same thing but not as bad. Now, with 50k miles and out of warranty, front ball joints are shot ($1600-1800), pwr steering pump leaks, tie rods bad, etc. Only problem, never taken off road! Now I learn front end problems very, very common on S-10 models. I am the 3rd person I know with same problems. Never again!

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  Corvette anniversary addition - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By KWagATSF - October 15 - 2:00 am

  This is a 2003 anniversary addition and is great to drive. The interior is bright and the seats are very comfortable. All around great automobile.

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  this truck rocks! - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By FireManNick - October 15 - 2:00 am

  i like my truck the only thing i dont like is the base engine ive got a 4.3 i think v6 and it has no power it might be the tranny idk but i do know i love my truck!! easy and fun to drive! and thats what a 17 year old should drive! i would recommend it to any one. the only thing i would do to it is put some modifications in to the base model like a cd changer and stuff like that the sound is increadible and its easy to find things in the cab very ergonomic i think and i just LOVE the auto headlights!

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  Thats what I get for buying American - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ASmith - October 15 - 2:00 am

  After plunking down nearly $29,000 for this truck I expected a lot more. Ive lost count of how many recalls there have been, and Chevy acts like youre crazy when you tell them there is a problem. The truck sounds like a diesel engine for the first five minutes after you start it, the A/C pump never stops running no matter what you set the controls at, the fuel pump went out (which seems pretty common!), the keyless entry only works about half the time, and the list goes on. This is the first, and definitely the last Chevy Ill ever own.

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  Chevy Junk - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Yach - October 15 - 2:00 am

  When its cold out, whenever I start my truck, I get a alot of clacking in the engine. It only last for about 5 minutes then goes away. Chevy said its caused by carbon on the pistons and they wont fix it. They extended my warranty another 25000miles and another year. Drivetrain makes noise. they replaced the timing chain once, it still makes the same noise. Emergency brakes sticks in the cold. They fixed it once, now it wont go down all the way.

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  wwbreview - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Wbell - October 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Silverado 1500 series. I purchased my first one in 1991, drove it for 10 years putting 126,000 miles on the vehicle. It was the best vehicle Ive ever owned so I decided to purchase another, stepping up to 4wd. Ive had it for 3 months, had no problems other than a squeak in the door. Im extremely pleased with the ride and performance. This is a very good truck. Good job GM!!

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  Wow, excellent truck. - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By popoffvalve - October 14 - 10:26 pm

  This is simply the best truck I have owned. It not only performs the work functions I need of it, but it is more comfortable and rides better than I expected. This from a base extended cab WT. I can only imagine that the higher you go in terms of options, the better it would be. I highly recommend the 09 Silverado.

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  All good - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By nolaman - October 14 - 1:26 am

  This car can get almost 600 miles on a tank of gas, I am not kidding you about this. The back seat folds totally flat, its a traditional station wagon. Even with the back seat up there is plenty of room for most trips. The looks? Well, thats a personal choice, but it suits me well. Extremely quiet, it rides on the interstate like my mothers Grand Marquis. Brings a smile to my face every time I drive it.