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 love my Blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By paulahall - March 14 - 4:24 pm

  I love this SUV. I have had my Blazer for 4 years. I bought it when it had 70000 miles and now it has 141000. Just replaced heater coil @ 138000. Rotors @ 137000 and brakes. It sounds like it might have a rod knocking but only when it is really cold then the noise quits. Drives greats lots of power for a 6 cylinder. The interior is still in good shape. None of the seat problems other had talked about. Love that the back seats fold down and the tinted windows. I hope it keeps running to 300000 miles. Heater core only costs $65 but I installed it myself. Have to remove the entire dash to get to it and its a pain to put back in, but I love the heat it puts out.

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  I have fallen in love...with a car! - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By shellbelle86 - March 14 - 4:00 pm

  The impala has made driving fun for me again. It handles very well, quiet engine, plenty of power and it looks great inside and out. Im also saving money on gas these days. I was able to buy my car with extremely low mileage at a great price. I looked around and for the money you cant beat what you get with the impala.

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  best Ive ever owned! - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Brian Lagor - March 14 - 10:28 am

  I bought the car used with 77,000 miles on it. It is now 2009 and she has 112,000 miles in that time off hard Vermont winters the car has never stranded me. It will warn you if it is going to do something like the alternator I replaced it once. I have also replaced the fuel tank. She is the ultimate practical ride super reliable if not the showiest. I highly recommended The 3.1 liter engine it is awesome at 150 HP and still sips gas. The only hang up I have is the heater could be warmer.

• 

  Very Good - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ken and El - March 14 - 1:43 am

  After more than fifty years experience driving many types of motor vehicles, I can sincerely state that in all aspects, this is the best one for the price. Had it two years, and not one complaint. My wife loves it also.

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  Perfect for the price - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By demonspeed - March 13 - 9:16 pm

  My fiance and I purchased our TrailBlazer as a third vehicle for road trips to visit family in the north east. Gas mileage isnt stellar, but for the type of vehicle it is, I think its fine. Interior is basic, but thats exactly what we wanted - and it fits the price. The exterior is very Chevrolet and brawny. The tight turning radius is extremely welcomed in the congested traffic we have in DC. The ride is great for a BOF SUV and it feels nimble and brakes adequately for its size. Acceleration is fine, but at times it feels as though it could use some more power. I guess Im spoiled as my daily driver is a 2005 GTO. Overall, the vehicle is perfect for our needs.

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  Last of its Kind - 1993 Chevrolet Corvette
  By CorvetteLT1 - March 13 - 8:26 pm

  Bought new and will probably leave in my will. Love this car for its looks, performance and very unique features: true clamshell hood, rollup headlights, steamroller tires and ultra deep bucket seats (its very entertaining to watch a passengers ingress / egress).

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  The Worst Car Ever - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Erin - March 13 - 3:45 pm

  Ever since I bought this car, it has been in the shop over and over again. I have had transmission problems, wiring problems, engine problems....you name it. And, for some of the issues, I had to take it in two, three, or four times before they could find the problem. For instance, I was driving around with a bad throttle body for 2.5 years before they found the problem. And, I took it in because a lot of my lights were not working, and there was a wiring problem. After 3 visits, the wiring is still not correct, but they say it is. When I took it in bc of the wiring, they realized my gearshift was bad, and they had to replace it. This is a warning to everybody out there, do not buy an Aveo.

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  My 2016 1/2 2SS Convertible - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Ward Hanson - March 13 - 12:17 pm

  This was a special ordered 2-SS Convertible that wasnt even manufactured until April 2016 in Lansing. I have had a 1969 & 1973 Z-28 Camaro, 1971 & 74 vette but this car with the magnetic ride, LT1 Corvette Engine in nothing but FUN to drive. This is the most responsive factory made car I have ever had the pleasure of driving. Regardless of speed form 27 to 127, when you ask it to move faster - it does without hesitation. Having the 4 handling settings allow you to tour down the road with an amazing 28.5 MPG at 65 MPH, or in Sport mode make on lookers snap their necks to see it. This model year did not offer either the Z-28 & ZL1 options so they really piled on the extras with the 2SS models. I waited for Chevy to put the new Convertible top on this model and it was well worth the wait. You can drive up to 35 MPH and easily open or close the top. After driving a 2015 and 2015 convertible, this is by every means superior top in every way, even noise. I dubbed this my retirement car, but never knew I would love driving near as much as I do and I only have 2,500 miles, cant wait to add more.

• 

  My 2016 1/2 2SS Convertible - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Ward Hanson - March 13 - 10:21 am

  This was a special ordered 2-SS Convertible that wasnt even manufactured until April 2016 in Lansing. I have had a 1969 & 1973 Z-28 Camaro, 1971 & 74 vette but this car with the magnetic ride, LT1 Corvette Engine in nothing but FUN to drive. This is the most responsive factory made car I have ever had the pleasure of driving. Regardless of speed form 27 to 127, when you ask it to move faster - it does without hesitation. Having the 4 handling settings allow you to tour down the road with an amazing 28.5 MPG at 65 MPH, or in Sport mode make on lookers snap their necks to see it. This model year did not offer either the Z-28 & ZL1 options so they really piled on the extras with the 2SS models. I waited for Chevy to put the new Convertible top on this model and it was well worth the wait. You can drive up to 35 MPH and easily open or close the top. After driving a 2015 and 2015 convertible, this is by every means superior top in every way, even noise. I dubbed this my retirement car, but never knew I would love driving near as much as I do and I only have 2,500 miles, cant wait to add more.

• 

  Blown Away - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Mr. Radon - March 13 - 10:03 am

  Never owned a new car, saved up and bought this baby. Did the NCM delivery in late October, drive back to Seattle was a blast! Got 28.5mpg over 3,150 miles! Car is so fast, so comfortable. I love the keyless entry, push button start, bluetooth sync with MY phone, 6 CD changer that plays MP3s, Aux input for my i-Pod. Best of all is the configurable Heads Up Display. Wish they would not have installed On- Star, but I guess if I ever have a bad accident it will call home. Every day I open the garage door and see this beast sitting there I get a huge smile. Every once in awhile I drive to work in it, hit 120 on the interstate on-ramp, merge at 65. Yep, you can do that in this car!