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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  Solid truck SUV - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Eric - October 11 - 5:36 pm

  Ive owned my Blazer for just over a year and put 12,000 miles on it, no real complaints thus far. It actually rides quite nice considering the old chasis, and the cabin is very quiet on the highway. If you buy one, accept that you are buying a truck, not a Rav4 or CRV. The good news is it can handle truck-type work and moderate off-roading without a problem. I have a rare 5 speed model, my only complaint that it tends to grind 2nd until the fluid has warmed up. Ive also had it leak water twice on me - I chalked it up to not closing the sunroof the first time, but if it happens again its going to the dealer.

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  Whining sound from air conditioner - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By noise listener - October 10 - 8:19 pm

  I was very happy when I first purchased my Tahoe. Once I hit 400 miles I noticed a whining noise coming from the air conditioner. Sounded like a bad belt? Per 2 Chevy dealerships it is a noise that is considered "normal operating noise". This is driving me crazy!! Now I am dealing with GM. They said ALL GMs have the same noise. But I have never heard it in any vehicle I have been in. If I had to do all over I would have never bought it. I would prefer a quiet air conditioner. I will see if GM really stands behind their products.... and 100% satisfaction guaranteed!!

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  95 Camaro Z28 one of the best! - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Tony - October 10 - 4:52 pm

  I still cant believe GM did away with the Camaro! This is one of the finest sports cars ever built. First of all it had styling. This car really turned heads. It had performance. The stock 350 LT1 had plenty of hp for the average driver and was easy to upgrade with lots of aftermarket parts. It was a comfortable car to drive. I have a lot of fun with this car. Minimal repairs. I would recomend this car to anyone who would like to drive a fabulous sports car without emptying our your bank account. I perfer the 6 speed transmission for extra performance but the automatic still offers great performance too. I would purchase another one if I didnt have three already!

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  Love my Tahoe - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tahoe john - October 10 - 4:11 pm

  Brakes could be beefier but its good looking, powerful, quiet (relatively) and I love the size--not too big, not too small. Gas mileage, well, its an SUV.

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  Good Truck with issues - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Who Dat - October 9 - 9:06 am

  This truck has 4000 miles on it and I have had some minor problems so far. One chrome door handle broke off, the fuel cell indicator failed, and the dealer had to install noise reduction tape on all four doors. Besides the inconvenience of going back for repairs it has been a good truck. I hope the long term reliability is good, may have to get an extended warranty. We have six 09 Silverados at my work site, all have had some type of problems. Not sure if I would purchase another GM product at this time. The cloth seats are a lint nightmare to clean.

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  The New Cavalier Can Move It! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By truegenius - October 8 - 10:00 am

  Having not quite driven 500 miles yet, I have to say the most impressive thing about the 03 Cavalier is the 2.2L EcoTec engine. It sounds good and, combined with the automatic xmission, moves very smoothly. I really feel the power when I get up around 60mph. My first Cav since 85, I hope GM has learned something about engineering. I like what I see so far.

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  A first year release? - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By GoldSilver - October 8 - 3:37 am

  Needed a car, couldnt pass up the $5k rebates for the last model year. Ordered silver, surprised me with red (changes colors in different light) :) Overall its been a dependable fuel efficient car. Great hwy car and efficiency. Invokes little passion but does its job well. Oil changes and maintenance are a snap - 1st winter - engine hammered at startup- found out local chain was putting in 10w-30, now I chnge it and use 5w-30, makes a big diff! Powertrain still feels bulletproof, but trim (interior door panels, carpet, paint) seem decontented compared to past 2 Prizms - hopefully Toyota has reversed this - feels like a 1st yr release because of it - no real problems to report at 40k.

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  Nice car - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By RICHARD B - October 7 - 9:24 pm

  Fun to drive.Car is used just to and from work. Lots of room . I am 6ft 1 and 250lbs no problem. Easy to park.

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  Very good car in a dull package. - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By paul_jacob - October 7 - 9:18 am

  I got this car out of necessity for a reliable, practical, and efficient car. It fits this build very well. The Maxx draws only a few looks from its exterior, but to some, it is a rather good looking car (remember, were not shopping for a coupe here). The interior is a bit bland, although everything is easy to use and functional. Interior quality will rival most competitors and is a big step up from the previous generation. Front seats are very comfortable although a bit flat, and rear leg room will beat much larger cars. Im getting 30 mpg with about 80/20 highway/city. Driver feedback is minimal and leaves a lot to be desired. The 5 speed transmission is very good.

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  Good Bang For Your Buck - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Michelle Tyerman - October 6 - 4:54 pm

  Totally amazed with Aveos power, styling and comfort considering it’s an economy car, and very inexpensive. Would definitely recommend this car to anyone thinking of buying an economy vehicle. Once you master how to utilize the hold button on the automatic which I purchased, this car is awesome.