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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  Good car for the money - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By maxlibbee - February 21 - 2:00 am

  I have a 1999 Malibu LS. Had to spend $1600 on some stuff at $28,000 including brakes which annoyed me. Car has good pep, and gets clsoe to 30 mog on highway. It cathes around 22 mpg around town. I also had to replace altenator at 38k which also annoyed me. Cost another $500 at dealer. I have two teenagers, I have taught to drive using this car. It has been fine

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  Standard 4 Door SUV - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By GlennPearl - February 21 - 2:00 am

  This car has been very good, except for two features. When I bought the car in 199, I checked the radiator 6 months later and there appeared to be a brown mudlike substance inside. Nothing like the usual green clear liquid I am used to. A radiotor shop tried to drain and fix, but the mud comes back. It has overheated in very hot tempatures. The other problem is the joints, they appear to make noise when backing out of a drive way. Nobody can fix that either. Other than that I enjoy the vehicle. Cheverlet has not backed this vehicle well. They refuse to fix the two things wrong, which makes me wonder on the next purchase who will back their vehicle.

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  I would rate this SUVs reliability Zero - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By zepres - February 21 - 12:50 am

  Loved this SUV until the rack & pinion drive gear started to leak oil at 2000 miles. Dealer fixed it. Then at 5000 miles, transmission leaked oil. My ride is still in the shop today. Very disappointed with GM. No wonder we cannot compete with foreign car makers.

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  Safety on winter and price by diler.no follow up o - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Irma g - February 20 - 1:44 pm

  Me encanta mi carro pero primero me hisieron fraude al comprarlo con un costo de 40mil dolares y deja un cbslt2006 del año me quede con el para no aruinar mi credito....el carro es economico ayuda mucho para mudansa pero para tiempo de nieve se resbala mucho la palanca de cambios es la 2 vez que la cambio para abrur las ventanas siento que es un peligro y distraccion el espacio de los acientos de enfrente muy juntos la pintura se arruina pronto y aun estiy esperando mi cita del recall

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  Disappointed in "THE GENERAL" - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By nickcon104 - February 20 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my s-10 Stepside for 4 years and have had overall a good experience with my truck. The build quality is starting to show its age. The drivers door is sagging, the rear tail lights and brake lights decided to short out. The rubber window molding on the door comes loose and flaps around at high speeds. Truck is reliable and sporty looking and the interior is comfortable. I am in the market for a new vehicle but as much as I would like to stay w/a Chevy, I dont think I want to plunk down my hard earned $$ for another GM product :-(

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  Many repairs with this puppy!! - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By M&L817 - February 20 - 2:00 am

  I am an ASE master tech. All my vehicles are maintained religiously. I purchased my Tahoe brand new. It is a love/hate relationship. At 31,000 the car quit on the road due to battery post failure. It spewed acid all over the R/F brake line. At 43,000 miles, the transmission failed. It was 8 mos out of warranty. Chevrolets response was I should have purchased an entended warranty. Now at 52,000 the intake manifold leaks. I have replaced the rear pinion seal,wiper motor,water pump,front brake rotors,the idler arm, and last week the transmission valve body again.

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  94 Sport - 1994 Chevrolet Blazer
  By enzo-at-home - February 19 - 2:00 am

  A classic Blazer:2dr,350/5spd! At 175000 Body is great. Interior is OK but drivers side seatback broke & needs total replacemt. Orig tranny replaced at 95K then rebuilt at 173K. ABS light stays on. Rear window defroster quit [wiring breaks at liftgate] Shes a good ol beast that keeps on goin

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  Good SUV - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By JBL44 - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought this Tahoe used in 2001 with about 40K miles on it. Solid body. Great from hauling boats and trailers with its 5.7L V8. Very comfortable on the long trip. Capible of way over 100K miles. Only problems are the random times it doesnt start- 3 times. Had to replace batteries, brakes, and alternators many times.

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  I like it - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gtc - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I was driving a vic for work and i liked that car, but then i got the cevy and i love it. And talk about fast! The only problem with the car was the headlights, but thats due to it being a police car and having all the goodies in it. Im so happy i get to take it home with me every night. And best thing about it is no one knows its a police car. Forget ford, im stickin with the cevy.

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  a good truck - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By mr. robinson - February 18 - 2:00 am

  i have had a few problems but i like the truck . and it does a good job moving my gear. i play music for a living. the van works well for me. i can move people or gear to a job.