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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  I bought a lemon!! - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Meg - May 16 - 9:22 am

  I bought this car for $5k and have put nearly that much into it. I do not recommend this car. I replace headlights like you wouldnt believe and at $25 a pop.... Replaced fuel pump, alternator twice, battery etc etc. Ever repair is ten times as expensive as other cars... It stinks!

• 

  BEST - 1990 Chevrolet Blazer
  By orca - May 16 - 3:39 am

  Have own this Blazer since 1990 right off the lot with 15 miles it now has 134 thousand miles and was rebuilt from the ground up in 2007. My father drove it for 18 years. I inherited it and now drive it. Still runs great and is like new. I did have the leak over mirror but with a coat of sealeant it is as good as new.

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  Satisfied - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tacquard - May 16 - 1:50 am

  This vehicle is comfortable, economical, and provides plenty of room for us, our two pets and the paraphernalia they need when we travel distances and for a period of time. We are more and more happy with our choice.

• 

  Problem City - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By masterskiier - May 15 - 4:48 pm

  I got this truck in October. sense then iv had nothing but problems. very first thing i had to replace was a fuel injector at 97000. to me that seemed crazy, scenes the truck was never beat on. and now the engine blew at 100250.

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  Chevy 4WD work truck - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Wolfgang - May 15 - 4:36 pm

  Good truck for little money. Problems: Way way too squishy shocks. Also, way noisy manual transmission...almost cannot hear myself think. Had 1990 with same engine that used about 25% less gas.

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  Impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mason - May 15 - 3:31 pm

  I purchased this vehicle new. Comfortable- fuel efficient for the size. My car burned half a quart of oil to 1600 miles since new. I use Luca Oil stabilizer- reduced to half quart to 2400 miles. Lucas fuel treatment really made a difference on performance during heavy acceleration. Currently I have a drive train issue that is being diagnosed by GM Dealer. My maintenance on this car is excellent. Nice car..I prey for new intake gasket repair but sense it will come. Brake rotors seem to be an issue on this car.

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  It "sips" the gas - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Avalon1 - May 15 - 3:13 pm

  I purchased the car as a rental return not expecting too much for an econo-box. I have been pleasantly surprised. On a trip to sf (253 mile) we got 41 mi to the gallon. The pick-up is zippy and have had no problems in two years. There have been some minor electrical glitches, but no worse than any other car. Get real, this is a cheap car, take what you get. If it is a lemon make some noise. Americans all want a Mercedes for escort price.

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  Very Good Van From GM - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By 2004 Chevy LS Ext - May 15 - 12:22 pm

  This van is remarkable. I have had it since it had 18,000 miles on it. I have done all maintenance that is required and it runs beautifully. I have one gripe, small things that go wrong on this van make me mad. The passenger window wont work, and the drivers side rear brake light wont work. Other than that the Van runs great and has been a surprise coming from GM. I was worried when I bought it. Gas Mileage is about 21 hwy and 18 cty. Brakes need constant adjustment. But work well

• 

  Good Car - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By bryan - May 15 - 11:53 am

  Bought this SUV used a year ago, and I have had no issues at all. I am in the military stationed in NY, and I drive to VA about every four months. Great for long trips. Good fuel economy. Great everyday driving car. Only issue I have had is battery placement.

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  I love It! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By angie d - May 15 - 11:13 am

  I have had my car for 2 years now and I really love the style and the way it drives. Ive only had 1 mishap with my car and that was with the automatic light system. I ran out my battery by leaving my car on and forgetting about the lights. That has been my only mishap.