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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  Blown mind - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jim - September 1 - 7:21 pm

  Purchased this car from a friend. Car has seen better days with the scratches and typical rust. But after about 154,000 miles engine seized. Good cars I just found a bad one in the six I have owned.

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  Not as good on gas as I thought - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By deltatide - September 1 - 5:01 pm

  However, check engine lights have came on and the throttle body/sensors are having to be replaced. Only trouble that I have had with the car. Took a while to diagnose the problem, but perhaps this will correct the unexpectedly gas mileage.

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  Love my Impala! - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Nicole H. - September 1 - 1:19 pm

  I researched a lot before purchasing the impala, comparing to Dodge Intrepid and Nissan Maxima. Loved the impala because was midsized car and could fit 6 people comfortably. Including an adult male in backseat comfortably. Also a great price with great mileage per gallon. Perfect car for starting family and working a distance from home.

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  Great ride up east coast! - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Rottie81 - September 1 - 8:44 am

  I just got my Moms 1999 LS 4 door sedan from my Mom who had to stop driving. She has 106,000 mi on it. I drove it from Sarasota FL to Boston Ma with no problems at all. It was comfortable and handled well on the highway. It isnt so great on bumpy roads in the city but all in all its a great car and I would seriously think about getting another Chevy in the future. The exterior is perfect but the interior near the windshield cracked and is falling off so needs to be replaced. Also the cup holders are a joke. But I did enjoy the drive home trying to beat Hurricane Earl!

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  Amazing car - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jeremey - September 1 - 12:58 am

  This car is amazing! Being able to have this much power AND decent gas mileage blows me away. I get looks everywhere I go and people are always asking about my car! No regrets here!

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  Best Birthday ever! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SweetMar - August 31 - 10:32 pm

  My husband bought my Camaro for my birthday. (no ladies - you CANNOT have him!) I have had it for one year, and living in Western New York means I can only drive it 7 months out of the year. But during those months it is my "every day driver." I get lots of thumbs up, or people mouthing "nice car" to me as Im driving. My husband says Im the "coolest, hottest Gramma in town". Im 54 and love every minute Im in this car.

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  The Mule - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By The Mule - August 31 - 9:29 pm

  Fairly well buit truck although I like Ford. Everything with this truck is well build and fairly easy to take care of and operate.Also the v6 vortec. Easy to control larger 2-3 horse, horse trailers.

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  Does Not Disappoint! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By ilovemytruck - August 31 - 5:01 pm

  Bought my SUV "used" in June 2010. It only had 9k miles at the time. Ive had to bring the truck in twice to have the chrome stripping on driver & passenger sides replaced due to peeling. Other than that, the vehicle drives perfect! Nothing wrong mechanically and the interior/exterior of the vehicle is absolutely wonderful. I can fit 7 people comfortably, including my parents (who are in their 70s) plus, trunk space is still sufficient. Its like a mini- van without the "mini-van" cliche. For those worried about the gas mileage, its a gas guzzler. But, what else would you expect? Its an oversize SUV -)

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  Its good but not great. - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By john - August 31 - 1:08 pm

  Bought this vehicle because I previously had a suburban that averaged 14 mpg. The Awd version which I have is supposed to average 23 mpg. Most of the time I am in the 17,18,19. It is a far cry from the 23 they advertise. I believe the vehicle lacks power and the v 6 in this vehicle needs an upgrade. Last the engine light kept coming on and now the dealer has told me that the vehicle with 32,000 miles on it needs a new belt( timing I believe). He said its a common problem in the Traverse. Besides that I think its a decent vehicle for your money. Gm has come a long way but they need too realize that they are not there yet. Its a good vehicle but not great.

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  great car - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By JFrazier - August 31 - 11:19 am

  I purchase my camaro about 3 week ago and this is a very find car to drive I love this car, I watch this car come up from Clay. The people who built this car did a very good job, when I am out in my car people tell me how great this car look. I love the v8 power you get in this car the best I ever had, I drove my camaro out on a country road at speed of 120 it was like I was going 70 mph just cruising, motor sound good. Perform great at that speed. I was surprise at the way this car perform, the fuel is not bad but I do used super unleaded and nothing else. The stereo sound good, the seats are ok but creak sometime, the dash lighting is nice the ac is cold being here in Texas at 100 degree