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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  SS 4 Ya! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By saegc7 - May 6 - 12:36 am

  Moving from an SUV to a mans vehicle was an easy choice, but finding out which one was the tough part. Nissan has reliability problems and Ford (fix or repair daily) was out of the question. The Toyota sat too high and wasnt wide enough. The Chevy had the power, looks, and "truckability" that I wanted. The power from the 6.0L HO V8 is phenomenal. Plenty in reserve when cruising @70 mph. The interior is great with everything ergonomically in place. The climate controls are easy to operate and keep the cabin confortable. The Bose sound system is awesome especially when coupled with the optional XM radio. AWD is a boon when in rain or snow. Get em while they last! You wont be disappointed!!

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  Solid car - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By jtgumby - May 5 - 2:00 am

  Because gasoline use is the single biggest environmental impact for most Americans, I was looking for a fuel- efficient vehicle. Leased it new, then bought it at end of lease. With 5 speed manual it accelerates adequately. I put on optional fatter tires when factory tires wore out, which improved handling. Only real problem has been Evap canister purge valve going bad at 50000 miles, but this is an emissions problem. Doesnt affect mileage or driveability at all.

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  To keep or trade, a confusing decision - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By GinniJo - May 5 - 2:00 am

  The Prizm is an outstanding vehicle . When I was told that they no longer manufactured them I was very upset. My last 3 vehicles were Prizms. My Smart Buy is up this Sept. and do not know what to do since I cannot get another one. I have no idea why they stopped making them........

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  Fantastic - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By NYShorty - May 5 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased my used Tahoe in March of this year.I have to say Im not disappointed.About a month after I purchased it I drove from New York to Florida and back without a problem. It took some getting used to but once you get comfortable with its size its smooth sailing from there. She drives smoothly on the highway and equally well on local roads.I was also surprised at the fuel economy.I was expecting to have to stop for gas at least 6 or 7 times and wound up only stopping 3 times.With gas prices these days that was a definite bonus. Its very spacious with lots of cargo room.I was able to fit the contents of a 1BR apt in it.I have no complaints.

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  very good vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By FF - May 5 - 2:00 am

  Overall this is a very good vehicle. I have 71K miles on this vehicle and have had no major problems. The tailgate still has a tendency to pop open, even after the dealer "fixed" it. The gas mileage is not that great, but what I would expect for a 4X4. I do like the midgate. In the winter I had the midgate down to utilize the full length bed, (I carry a lot of gear) and had no problems with the interior getting cold (I live in PA) and I do not have the heated seats.

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  2002 TrailBlazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Sunspot - May 5 - 2:00 am

  It was/is a great vehicle

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  Not a bad truck at 5 years old. - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Trenton - May 4 - 8:33 am

  Recently bought my 2005 ext-cab Z71 silverado 1500 a few months ago, used with 90,000 miles on it. Im the second owner. Good things: Engine is still very quiet and runs smooth for having 90K on it, great on gas, ride is smooth, 4wd still works, interior in great shape, no electrical or steering problems. Overall still a great truck inside and out. Bad things: Doors rattle a little when driving over rough bumps, transmission shifts hard into 3rd gear and makes a "smack" sound. A/C makes weird gurgle sounds after I turn it off.

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  98 Blazer a mixed bag - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By nitefaze - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Basically, the Blazer is a good car. For the most part reliable. One bad alternator took out the battery and self destructed at about 48K miles over warrantee in time, I ate $800 repair while away from home. At 68K the water pump went, in a heart beat engine over heated and froze before we could get the car off the highway. Melt down to the tune of $3400. When somethings goes, it goes suddenly without warning and it is very expensive. Repairs have been avg about $600 yr. For a US car that might be typical, but 6 1/2 years ownership I think its bad after the warrantee ran out. Economically not an experiece I want to repeat.

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  cavalier rocks - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By six flags - May 4 - 2:00 am

  No problems so far!!!

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  A Wonderful Family Car! - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bribabe - May 3 - 2:00 am

  Im not sure why Edmunds rated this car as they did. Ours now has 120000 miles and has only had tires, oil changes and a battery. It is highly reliable, safe and comfortable. It could be quieter but that costs a lot more in other makes for no better a car.