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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  2003 Tracker Convertible - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Karen - October 10 - 4:24 pm

  I found the car I wanted then starting looking for it and found it with only 47,000 miles and in mint condition. It is exactly what I wanted, fun, good mileage, and so far dependable. I am 65 and cant tell you how many seniors have stopped me to tell them they want one too. Dont know why they stopped making them.

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  Problems with my blazer - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mary - October 10 - 1:43 pm

  I had problems with my blazer,before the warranty was up. Took it to Wilson Motors, they said they couldnt find anything wrong with it, Its in my front end , & when I turn corners it really makes noises, like the front end is going to fall off, & just after my warranty was up, my heater went out , I smelled burnt wiring,so,need a new wiring harness, now when I roll my window up,power windows, the headlights flicker.Im afraid my car will catch on fire.& had a humming noise going on, thought it was a fan , or something, took it in ,the mechanic replaced something on it, said that happens alot with these vehicles & with the wiring problems, he said that happens alot with these vehicles.

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  Dis-Satisfied - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Jlyn89 - October 10 - 1:32 pm

  Where do I begin. Ive had nothing but problems w/my car. The RMPs dont idle right. It makes shuddering movements while driving & while stopped. After 1 month of having it, I had a transmission problem and other tiny problems. Buying this car was the worst decision I made. Dont expect a race car, because this car lacks power, very much. Dealership would not fix my car, so I got an attorney & General Motors agreed to buy back the car, so now Im on the hunt for another. But I will tell you that this car was a pain in the neck the whole 3 months I had it. But I loved the way it looked outside & especially inside its such a nice looking car, just doesnt run the way its supposed to.

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  One of the best cars I have ever owned! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By priggly - October 10 - 5:28 am

  I have now owned my 2006 Chevrolet Impala SS for over three years and have no complaints whatsoever. The car is quiet, fast, comfortable and without problems of any kind. I have had the power steering hose replaced plus the battery, both under warranty, and otherwise, no problems. The car is very fun to drive with its 5.3 liter engine and 303 HP plus 323 lb.-ft. of torque. It will snap your neck back into the head rest in a hurry, that is for sure! The quality of the car is certain. All the switches and controls are solid and feel like they are in a car costing much more. The sound system is of high quality and sounds great regardless of the genre of music played. The XM is fabulous.

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  MY LIMITED EDITION MONTE CARLO SS - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By CCLCRAZY56 - October 10 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE A 2003 LIMITED EDITION PACE CAR MONTE # 767 OUT OF 1401. IT IS MIDNIGHT BLUE WITH SILVER FLAGS ON THE SIDE AND RED "TAZ" ON THE SIDE AND BACK. i HAVE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR MECHANCIALLY. I HAVE TINTED THE WINDOWS, PUT AN AWESOME EXHAUST SYSTEM ON IT BUT OTHER THAN THAT NO WORK HAS BEEN DONE. I CONSISTANTLY GET 30 MPG IN THIS CAR. AS MUCH AS I WOULD HATE TO GET RID OF THIS CAR I AM LOOKING AT THE 2004 SUPERCHARGED MONTE CARLO SS. LOOKING -- MIND YOU..

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  my avalanch - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mrmepsco - October 10 - 2:00 am

  The suv has pleanty of room and power. It drives extremely well and the gas millage is much better than my 2003 dodge 4 door.

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  C5 is Excellent! - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Kmorgan - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This is one fine machine. Soon after purchase, me and my wife left Sacramento and drove to Las Vegas, NV. The ride was great, especially with the magnetic ride control suspension. The seat was very comfortable, the climate control system and power from the 5.7L V8 was incredible during our trip! Gas mileage is superb for a V8 350hp engine! Hats off to Folsom Chevrolet, hats off to GM and most important I thank the Lord for allowing me to have such a fine, well built machine!

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  My Y2K truck after 37K miles - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Germanator - October 10 - 2:00 am

  It has been 3 years now that I have owned my truck and it has held up very well. I have customized it and pumped a bit more power out of that 4.8L V8. It definately has some kick to it. Nothing has been wrong with it after 3 years and 37K miles. This is a great truck. I will keep it for a few more years.

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  Think again - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Ericw - October 10 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I have had this car for 1 year and we are already thinking about getting rid of it. We feel that the reliability is extremely poor. Here is a list of problems: Automatic driver’s side mirror replaced 5x because the motor could not return to our preset driving positions, the rear windshield wiper never touched the rear window, the rear windshield leaked, there is a noise in the dashboard when you go over bumps in the road, the stereo shorts out and has been replaced 2x, fuses had to be replaced, replaced headlight. I can’t imagine what this car will be like in 2- 4 years. We are now looking at the Pathfinder or Honda Pilot

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  A Sweet Ride, My Monte - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By sleestak - October 10 - 1:40 am

  This car gets looks everywhere I go. Very big trunk. Nice stereo. Power everything. Lots of car for the money.