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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  chevy a great looking and driving SUV - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ho - June 2 - 2:00 am

  a good feeling at driving, looks good, enough room for 5 but for often driving with family a van is better.

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  My first car - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By jopolk - June 1 - 2:00 am

  The car is adequate. It doesnt have a lot of kick when you accelerate...a lot of cabin noise. The gas mileage is great!

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  Another gasket problem - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By ddarpel - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I used tolove this van - it is my second Venture. After a crash that totaled our first Venture, but left my family uninjured I bought this one without a second thought. At 35,000 miles the manifold gasket has failed and I have been without the van for three weeks waiting on parts. Ive called Chevy and had to go tot the dealerships GM to get my rental upgraded to another van (they pulled a used one from stock!). Chevy really needs to re-design this gasket and recall for the repair, Im out of warranty after about two more years!

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  New car - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By saintsbbal - May 30 - 5:40 am

  My Aveo is a nice vehicle for my purposes. I get great gas mileage. It handles well on the highway. It doesnt blow the doors off of anyone, but its got a little zip once it gets going. My only complaint is the steering pulls to the left a little.

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  We got you beat!!! - 1993 Chevrolet Astro
  By john does - May 29 - 2:00 am

  The short story is We have 211,000 miles on our van. I have put in little more than a battery,ignition module, and front bushing. Less than $1,000.00 has been invested and she is still strong.

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  Thanks Chevrolet - 1991 Chevrolet Blazer
  By CMLblazin - May 28 - 2:00 am

  This truck has gone through a lot and it can handle whatever you dishout. Good for travel in or out-of-town. One of the better Chevys in the market for that year.

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  Tims - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Timmy Johnson - May 27 - 2:00 am

  I have about 21,000 miles on this vehicle and it still drives like it was brand new. Have had absolutely no problems not so much as a hick-up. Only wish that I had purchased a 4 speed automatic instead of 3 speed. Overall, I am very satisfied.

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  Ride High - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By Suni - May 26 - 2:00 am

  I have a 1998 Astro and its in great condition. For any car you buy you must maintain it! Example: NEVER miss a oil change, check tires, brakes, fluid levels regularly, also keep it clean. I have about 70 000km on it, and the engine runs great..90L gas tank...use nothing but high grade! It is true that the air filters get dirty fast....but i put a fine net around the opening and it stays clean long! The body design is great, the paint it good quality. The seats inside could be more comfortable but overall its nice. The 8 speaker 500 watt stock sound system is really nice!! If Chevy had to do one improvement i would say make the performance better.

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  Great Buy for a HD 1/2 ton - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By hands - May 25 - 1:50 am

  Got this WT with the towing pkg for hauling horses. It has plenty of power and rides smooth. The $6,000 rebate brought the price down to $26,800 which was a steal. For the money its the best truck you can buy.

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  Not Bad - 1994 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Mike Anderson - May 24 - 2:00 am

  This car isnt worth a whole lot and cant do much.Once you get above 65 you can go any speed pretty quick. The acceleration sucks but Ive been getting about 45 mpg. Good reliable car for a teenager.BORING FOR AN ADULT.