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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  Great car/great value - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Lars - September 11 - 2:00 am

  Reliable car - bought it used with 28,000 miles and it now has 95,000. Other than normal maintenance, weve only had to replace the A/C compressor this summer (we live in a hot climate). Great car for the $$$

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  Few repairs - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By wisp - September 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Blazer new in 97, major repairs so far, 1:after 1500 mi, condensation from AC was leaking into passenger floorboard. Dealer fixed it, said was a grommet in firewall. 0$ 2:8k mi, a fuel injector went out, dealer fixed. 0$ 3: Brake pads at 40k mi 45$ 4:Serpentine belt tensioner broke at about 50k mi. replaced along with belt. 26$ 5:AC compressor went out at 60 kmi 180$ 6:wiper relay module went out at 63k mi 23$ 7:alternator went out at 84k mi. 78$ Ive done all repairs myself except first two. Followed maint. schedule pretty much except for front bearings clean/repack and fuel filter.

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  Not Bad for a Chevy - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Hobbie2k - September 10 - 10:20 am

  I bought this car because I needed a new replacement for my 1993 Accord Wagon. It still ran great with 240,000, but with a new job that requires 1000 miles a week, it would have to break down eventually. I stopped at the Chevy dealer because of a 50% off promotion. I figured at 50% off even a Chevy would be worth it. Lets just say, I was pleasantly surprised. Its not as bad as I feared. I was thinking itd be a Lumina wagon, but dare I say, its all-around a better car than my parents Nissan (then again, the Nissan is a 2001 with 135,000 miles). This car is a good bargain after the rebates, but for MSRP there are better options.

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  Solid and Inexpensive - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By pyramid scheme - September 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in 1999 with 60K on it. It has been a great car with minimal repairs. I have had the alternator replaced at 80K, the catalytic convertor replaced at 105K, and the water pump just today at 125K. Total repairs were around $550-$600, which is not too bad considering the 65K Ive put on the car over 3 years and you can buy these cars for well under 1/2 the new price just 2-3 years old. Pretty smooth ride, lacks acceleration at times, but is very reliable.

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  2003 Cavalier Rocks! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By CJHorne - September 10 - 2:00 am

  I almost didnt even look at the 2003 Cavalier based on Edmunds review. First, the base model is available with an automatic, while Edmunds says it is not. Also, they say the car is antiquated, but it has new sheet metal and a new, modern engine coupled with a fairly new 4 speed automatic. They made negative comments about build quality, but the paint is excellent and the gaps between the sheet metal are uniform. No squeaks/rattles. I am glad I bought the 2003 Cavalier. While I think the world of Edmunds, they need to be a little more thorough in their reviews of all cars, not just the real exciting ones.

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  New LTZ owner - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Tpamperin - September 10 - 2:00 am

  The ride and handling on slightly slick roads is excellent. The turning radius and overall drivability is excellent. Highway driving is car-like. Heating/cooling takes a while to get used to.

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  2003 TB LTZ - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By RED-VETTE - September 10 - 2:00 am

  So far - seems to be a nice ride. I had problems with getting the drivers seat right as it was causing discomfort with my driving foot. I think I have found the right combination now. Nice smooth ride with no rattles. Build quality seems to be good...

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  Good but... - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By markstev - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Started burning oil after 22K miles. Burns 1 qt every 2000 miles and GM refuses to fix. Gm claims it is within specs to burn over 1/2 crankcase capacity between changes. Engine has great power and truck has been reliable. Except for crappy oil burning engine it has been a good truck.

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  Like A Rock With Wheels - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Fromsoca - September 10 - 2:00 am

  In less than 5 days of buying my Silverado my radio was replaced and the passenger airbag system is faulty. Theyve checked the sensors, recalibrated and even replaced the entire front seat, the airbag system is not perfected yet. My girlfriend weighs 120-130lbs. and the auto system light on the mirror turns on/off while we drive down the road. If you have kids or adults near this range I would be cautious!! Now a month later the radio is acting up again, the airbag system is still not fixed and the transmission is starting to be jerky. From one lemon into another, Im getting my money back and going with Toyota.

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  Cavalier is a great car - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By TBCass - September 9 - 2:00 am

  After 6 years this car is as good as new. New breaks at 34000 miles is the only money outside of normal mantainance Ive put in to the car.with the 2.4 liter engine it has all kinds of power and still gets 30 mpg. The finish is nearly as good as brand new. I would recommend this car to anyone.