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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  Love my Corsica - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By nancy110339 - July 10 - 4:12 pm

  I love my Corsica. I previously owned a 1990 Corsica and searched high and low for a 1996 knowing it was the last year Chevy made them. I wanted another because the first was so reliable and went almost 200K miles before I sold it. The body was giving out, not the engine. And the buyer drove it another 2 years before he sold it. I have not been disappointed with the 1996 either. Very few repairs. Just normal routine maintenance. Still an issue with rotors and with head gaskets as the 1990, but if the job is done right, it will go for thousands of miles after. Almost no mechanical issues. The body holds up well. Only the gas cover and the area around the keyhole for the truck are rust issues.

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  Love This Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ripthelip - July 10 - 11:33 am

  I bought this truck a month ago, almost to the day. I am so glad I bought it. I got exactly what I was looking for, comfort and power. I did have a 1999 Tahoe with the 5.7 and this truck with the 5.3 has more power and better acceleration. I tow a 6300 pound boat up and down hills and mountains and it does great! I wouldnt own another truck, if I did you would have to give it to me and pay me to drive it.

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  Great Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Kurt G - July 10 - 10:00 am

  All around best ride in a pickup on and off road. Interior comfort is great. Ample engine power I have never had any problem on hills even while towing. The Chevy Avalanche has been the most reliable truck Ive owned.

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  PJs review - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By P.Driscoll - July 10 - 10:00 am

  nothing is as good as u think its gonna be, except this car was better. Love the admiring stares

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  A sensable vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Nat - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Since driveing the 2004 Impala LS, it is a pleasure to drive. The 200 HP engine delivers great performance and is easy on the fuel bill. The transmission is smooth shifting upon excelleration and stopping. The ride is smooth and comfortable. Plenty of desired standard equipment. Recommend power seats, driver and passenger, for a better selection of individual desired comfort. Plenty of room inside and especially in the trunk for transporting cargo. I would compare this vehicle to a Cadillac for a a good deal of less money. Insurance is quite reasonable for a good driving record rates.

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  Mothers Day Gift, follow up #1 - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By cornejo - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Have lived with the Equinox for 1.5 months. Still love this vehicle and have found we are getting 22 mpg avg. Comfortable vehicle on the interstate. We checked out a Trailblazer and it was 5K to 7K higher in cost. Had to take vehicle in for front side oil leak which turned out to be a leak of the ac compressor. Freon also leaked out and was blowing warm air. Dealer replaced prompty under warranty and arranged a rental for the three days he had the vehicle. Compressor arrived from Detroit supplier. Everything seems in order.

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  A good cheap car. Having the Hatchback is very gre - 2016 Chevrolet Sonic
  By Mary Sanderson - July 10 - 5:58 am

  Compare prices with many dealers. They are all different.

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  One of the best Ive ever owned - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By HEATHBUSY - July 10 - 12:53 am

  This is one of the best vehicles Ive ever driven. It is very spacious, but yet when driving you have your own space. The exterior design is excellent. Like nothing Ive ever seen. Very sporty for a wagon type of vehicle. Very good handling and suspension. The power is also very good. It will get you down the road, and not to bad on fuel either . Overall this is an excellent vehicle at a resonable price.

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  1999 Lumina - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Chris - July 9 - 9:46 pm

  I am in sales and have never owned a car a dependable as the Lumina. This is my second Lumina. As of this writting it has just over 250,000 miles and I have not even changed a hose under the hood. Just keep that oil changed every 4000 miles.

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  Classy Chevy - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By zak - July 9 - 3:01 pm

  A very comfortable car to drive with the tilt/telescopic wheel and power height adjustable seat. V6 engine is quite powerful and is averaging about 34 mpg on the highway. City driving is about 20 mpg. Test drove Camry, Altima and Fusion. All were noisier with the 4 cyld and not as peppy, yet cost the same as the V6 Malibu.