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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  Gone but NOT forgotten.......... - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By LJackson - October 31 - 2:00 am

  I sadly had a wreck that totalled our 2002 Malibu last Wednesday. It was a very bad wreck with a fully loaded double-sized gravel truck hitting us on the rear passenger wheel. He was speeding along through a red light and hit us at roughly 50mph. The car withstood that awful impact so my son and I did not get hurt badly or worse yet- killed. We do have assorted bumps and bruises and a couple of very severe headaches but no broken bones, no serious cuts. The Malibu protected us beautifully- Im glad to know it was such a safe car.

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  Good car overall - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Bills - October 30 - 1:34 pm

  I got this car in November 2016 with 56k on it. Fast forward to December 2017, it now has 79k on it. I’ve spent a lot of time with this car. Overall I do like the car but their are some things I don’t like. The drivers seat has a power slide feature but No power recline. I thought that was odd considering it’s an LTZ model (they have rectified this for the newer models). The fake leather doesn’t wear well. The drivers seat has some noticeable wear on it and it’s starting to develop small cracks but nothing major thankfully. I just have to be careful getting in and out of the seat. My bosses 2012 VW Jetta has 90k miles on it and the Fake leather in his car looks flawless still. Their are some cheap bits in the interior but it’s not too bad. Really the one thing that bothers me is the gearshift. It looks and feels cheap to me but I’m probably just too nitpicky. I really like the way the interior is laid out though. Everything is where you would expect it to be (Except for the power lock controls since this is a 2014 Cruze. They are in the center but were moved to the door in 2015) I like how the radio has actual volume and tuning knobs because a lot of cars are going away with that. I’m surprised that it doesn’t have dual zone climate control since this is the top of the line LTZ model. Even to this day, you can’t get this on any Cruze. Other cars in the class have this so it would be nice if the Cruze had it also. Mylink is pretty easy to use and straight to the point and once you pair your phone through Bluetooth, it’ll automatically connect in the future once you get in and get the car going. The back up camera is nice too but since it’s a 2014, it doesn’t have the trajectory lines on the screen. That issue was resolved in the 2015 models. It doesn’t bother me really. I’m used to it now. The backseat legroom isn’t as good as its competitors. It’s tolerable if the front seats aren’t pushed all the way back but if they are, legroom is nonexistent. The car actually drives really smooth. A lot smoother than I expected. It surprised me honestly. When you try to take off from a stop in the car, it’s almost like their is a delay by 2 to 3 seconds which means making left turns can be a challenge sometimes. My grandparents have a 2015 2lt with the same engine and theirs drives like this too. Once the car gets into the higher rpms, the speed is adequate. As far as reliability goes, it’s been pretty reliable for the most part. The only thing I’ve had to have done/replaced was an ignition coil and a battery both at the same time around 72k. I have a 5 year 100k powertrain Waranty and I thought it would have replaced the ignition coil for free at least but it didn’t. Replacing both of these items at the dealership was $527 with parts and labor. Oh well. Other than that, it’s been pretty reliable. No complaints there. And since it’s an LTZ, it has smart key access which is pretty useful. I don’t have to take the key out of my pocket for anything even when going to the trunk which it great. When I get out of the car and close the door, 8 seconds later, the car locks automatically. Overall, I give this car a 4 out of 5 stars because it meets my expectations for the most part. All of the gripes mentioned above about this car, I remind myself that no car is perfect and the end of the day, it’s still an Economy car and their is no escaping that which is completely understandable and I’m okay with it. Would I recommend this car to anybody? Yes. However I will say that if you are looking for a car with a lot of room, you might want to look elsewhere.

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  Good, reliable truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By robis - October 30 - 11:23 am

  I have had my truck for about 55,000 miles. I purchased it certified used about 3 yrs ago. I am about to turn 100,000 miles and the only problems I have had with it is a dead battery and a broken power window motor. The truck runs well and is ultra reliable. I wish the fuel economy was better (I think I get around 14 mpg). I feel like I will get another 100,000 miles out of it before it needs to be replaced. "American" car companies build trucks well...its what they do best in my opinion. I wouldnt hesitate to buy another Chevy or GM truck again, but I would aim for an extended cab for the extra room and convenience. Overall, I have been very happy with my purchase & recommend it.

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  We love our tank - 1991 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Ruckmanite - October 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought the burb in 99 with 107000 miles on it. Since then, new lower ball joints, heater core, blower motor, brakes, usual stuff. The best thing about this old beast is its easy to repair. The thing runs fantastic, gets 16-17 mpg on the hwy, and tows a 3000lb popup with ease. My wife hit a 240 lb deer at 55 mph with it. Damaged the fender, hood, and passenger door. Praise God she was in this ride instead of the Accord, as it would have wound up in her lap. If you can find an old 91 in good shape, it will not dissapoint you. We are currently looking at newer ones, but this one has been so reliable we hesitate to part with it.

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  dependable - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Iowaguy - October 29 - 2:00 am

  car gets great gas milage , sound system good, heater good , air cond good , peppy get up when needed, looks sharp my car has the traction control great in Iowa winters very reliable .Negative - Seat belt restraint cheap needs replaced , plastic parts cheap had to replace passanger air vent positioner, foam densisty in front seats need to be more firm as it settles and you swing to get out of car the metal seat bracket catches your clothes. overall should be rated at an 7.8

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  Content - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By emac - October 28 - 2:00 am

  A good compromise in power and economy for anyone who spends a lot of time behind the wheel but still has a frequent need for a truck. With the optional 4.3L V6 the power is there to carry or tow most most things. Not a substitute for full size trucks in that department. Reliability has been a plus as has been my experience with other S-10s Ive owned.

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  Van gets Kudos - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By HarvWo - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this van 2 years, and its the most comfortable, reliable vehicle Ive ever had. Im a big man at nearly 300 lbs with a very bad back. This is the first vehicle I could drive for hours without much stress on my back. Engine is strong, mileage about 20. Problems, heater control knobs are two weak and expensive to replace. Feet are cramped by fender well protruding inside floorboard too much. Classic chevy prob. Large min have difficulty getting comfortable on passenger side. Van rides like a dream. 60 series tires add stability over 75s. Would consider bying another Astro. Family loves it.

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  Good family car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By nutsovernascar - October 27 - 11:40 am

  The car provides a great ride and has good horsepower. It is the perfect family car with plenty of trunk space. It is a well built car with a very solid ride and a comfotable interior.

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  rocks should be this solid - 1998 Chevrolet Metro
  By mr bad example - October 25 - 2:00 am

  this car is bullet-proof, change the oil every few months or few thousand miles, shift before the engine blows up and this car will last forever. the only problem i have is merging on fast interstates, thats when you pray for more ponies. around town and down the road, its the greatest.

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  96 Corsica! - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By TimK - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Corsica with around 40k mileage on it. It is a very reliable car. Only minor repairs have been made, but the car will last quite a while at this pace. The only downers of the car that come to my mind is the leg room in the rear, and more of a noisier 4 cyl engine.