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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  Lumina - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Gennadiy - May 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 56000 miles on it. It is a good family-size sedan, quite reliable and comfortable. The only strange thing that the battery is hidden deep inside and to replace it you need special wrenches and about 1 hour of work. This is strange because there is a plenty of place under the hood and the battery could place in a top position for better handling like in most other cars

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  In 2011, Best Bang For Buck, 2011 Silverado LT 4x4 Crew Cab 5.3L - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ntgill07 - May 2 - 10:56 am

  I put a good 10,000 miles on it while in Alabama and it performed well. The real test was to come - I had it shipped to Alaska, upon moving, and have put 6,000 Alaska miles on it since being up here during one of the worst winters in history. I have to say, this truck performed flawlessly. Although, per the dealership here, it is suggested to not use AUTO 4x4 as it will eventually ruin the 4x4 - Just keep it in 4 High in inclement conditions. Ice, Snow, Mud, Slush, not a problem for the Silverado. Ya, the interior sucks compared to Ford, but I dont care to much. Love the huge center console/elbow rest. Gas mileage in AL and AK have been consistent at 15.4 on cruise, all HWY miles.

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  Z71 - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ricky Meinhold - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Very nice, powerful truck, but eats up gas!

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  Great Engine, but everything else... - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By solid - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my S-10 about 2 years ago from a friend. Ive put about $3500 into repairs in 2 years. The engine on the truck is great, but everything else seems to break down constantly. Had major problems with the fuel pump, brake booster, O2 sensors, and the front axel. The roof leaks very bad, and both door switches broke about a month after I got it. The washer fluid bin started leaking as well as the transmission fluid pan. Brakes have been a very big hassle also. The truck is very comfortable to drive, but thats about it. All in all I will NEVER ever buy another S-10.

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  nice car - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By theladiesman02 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  i love this car the best feeling is when you drive by a group of people and they all turn there heads there a few lil nickle and dimes problems but overall its a good car

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  nice - 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
  By j.c. - May 2 - 2:00 am

  the only thing i would suggest would be better brakes

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  Not bad, but not the best - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By annm - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car used with an extended warranty a week ago. From what I can tell so far, it has decent pickup, a nice look, and ample features. I heard it doenst always handle well, but I dont find that to be the case. It could be bc of the tires bc on this car theyre wider than the standard.

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  Autoride Alert - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By AlexP - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Beware. Do NOT get the Autoride option on this vehicle. I have had mine to the dealership three times because the vehicle is extremely unstable. It feels like the vehicle is in a constant crosswind and the driver has to fight to keep it on the road. My wife is afraid to drive it. Any road irregularity and it bobs, wiggles and undulates while trying to wander right or left. The autoride system is constantly trying to keep the vehicle level or adjust to the road but it ends up causing gyrations that frighten me. Instead of being relaxed after driving it I am stressed and on edge. Autoride in my opinion is unsafe and a hazard. DO NOT get the autoride

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  Great Truck - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By cbb8490 - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought by S-10 new and have put 90,000 miles on it in 3 years.I have put this truck through some hard driving and have had no problems at all. With the 2.2L I obvioulsly dont have the power but I knew that before I bought the truck. The only problem I have had is the reclining lever has broke on both seats but that seems to be the case with most reviews, I agree this should be a recall and GM should replace the contraption all together. But an overall great ride and dependable. The is my 2nd S-10 I also had a 97 that I put 60,000 miles on. I would not hesitate to buy another. But I think I will go with the 4.3L next time.

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  1993 Cavalier RS - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By dwellersskateshop - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car in september of 2000 i have only had one problem a leaky fuel injector. thats a pretty good record for a 9 year old vehicale with 140,153 miles. The injector only cost 168 dollars(u.s.) to replace. other than that the car handles very well and the 2.2 litre 4 cylinder engine packs some punch. if you buy this car you wont be dissapointed. the major downfall of the car is the goofy place to put the oil filter. i like to change my own oil and it was a bear to get at.