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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  Moms Car - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By Zip - August 17 - 11:41 am

  Reliable. AWD better than 4WD. Never a problem on ice, snow, or in rain. Regularly maintained by dealer. On second set of tires. Only major work was windshield wiper motor at 95k. Sorry to see them go.

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  My SS - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By R GOLDING - August 17 - 7:13 am

  Ive only had mine for five months, but Ive been tracking the production of the SS since its days on the drawing board. Working in a Chevy dealership makes me a bit biased I guess, but this car is all I was hoping it would be. I love driving my car every day. The only drawbacks would be the fuel economy and the lack of a dual exhaust. Go out and buy one. Its a blast!

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  Just bought her- luv her to death - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By jeffmiller - August 17 - 2:16 am

  So far, I am thrilled to have this vehicle. The positives are too numerous to mention all, but overall- performance in drivability, comfort, stereo, seating, utility all are an A= for this style & class.

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  New car - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By webb - August 16 - 12:30 am

  I just recently bought this vehicle so I dont have a lot of time with it. I bought it for my wife but have got to drive it a few times. When we picked it up from the dealership it was snowing, bad, but it got around great. I think that it has a very comfortable interior. So far I am very pleased with it.

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  Great car - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Amanda - August 15 - 11:34 am

  I bought a Chevy Cavalier as a car to get me through university as I lived a long way from campus. It was great, reliable and because of the lower price, I was driving a much nicer car than most of my friends. For a first nice car, it was a great buy and I am looking into buying a newer model in the next few months

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  First Car - 1996 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Franklin - August 13 - 11:28 pm

  This was my first car in 2001 and it still is my only car. I wrecked it once (my fault), but I got it repaired and I have never had a problem other than normal wear. I live in a small town of 8,500 and most older cars (not classics) are the Caviler, the Corsica and the Beretta. Practically everyone who has ever owned one of those three say that they wont die. I dont want to ever get rid of my Beretta.

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  Motor issues - 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Eddie Doherty - August 13 - 4:46 pm

  Car performs good but within 5 months had 4 recalls had to replace some part . They give me a free oil change but I know that it was to see if I was using that special oil that was required because motor Pistons were melting, destroyiing the engines and if oil wasnt right it was your baby. I hope to make it till lease is up then unload it before some-thing happens to motor. Gmac will try to dump it on you if motor melts, they dont give away oil changes for nothing , they just wanted to see if I had that special oil! I will not least another one until motors have been improved. JUST BEWARE

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  Great car for all - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By rick burns - August 13 - 12:13 pm

  My wife And I purchased this car during a snowy wet cold Tuesday night in January. We (and about 5 salesmen) were the only people in the dealership. Bottom line, we stole this gem for around $8900.00 +tax. We had rebates and a $2000.00 coupon. The car is great on gas, 30mpg. We use it for work and a back-up. The interior is a little cramped when all 4 of us are in it. It looks just as good as the day we bought it . We garage it and are meticulous with the care of it. The front would shake during stopping and the wheel covers were squeaking. A quick trip to the dealer to cut the rotors and grease the contact points of were the rubber bumpers contacted the metal and we were good to go.

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  Ford Man No More - 1993 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Carlo DeVito Jr - August 12 - 5:22 pm

  I have always had Ford Broncos but this truck is great. I have 4 kids and there is a ton of room. Snow, what snow? The truck is great. Tow anything and dont even feel it.

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  True Motown Muscle Car! - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Will - August 11 - 11:17 am

  I have owned several BMWs and traded a Porsche Panamera for the Z51 Stingray. I had no intention of getting a Stingray. My intent was to purchase a preowned Porsche 911. As I shopped around, I started to consider the merits of getting a new Corvette versus a two year old 911. After test driving the Stingray, I was convinced that it was my choice. I loved the performance and luxury of the Panamera but the Corvette is truly a remarkable car! I have only had it about three weeks but I love it already. The performance, exhaust sound, targa top and overall design are amazing! The redesigned interior is very nice!