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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  Buy a Cobalt! - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jenny - July 21 - 4:07 pm

  I overall love my little Cobalt. I bought a brand new 2008 Cobalt LT coupe, and now have 1,500 miles on it. I recently got it to 41 MPG average on the highway with the cruise control on. I got 0% interest for 60 months, so it was a smart buy too. I always liked the Cavaliars, but these feel less cheap, and more roomy. I got the dark Blue Metallic, and it really sparkles. The color is my favorite part, but hard to keep clean. I would have opted for the darker seats too, I got my light seats sprayed with a special scotch guard type spray with a warranty to keep the interior looking nice. Spoiler makes it dangerously hard to see out of back, but love the ways it makes the exterior look.

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  Nice car - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Richard - July 21 - 2:55 pm

  I like this car very much. It rides well and is quiet with the windows up. No road noise. Gas mileage is high 20s in city. I would buy another.

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  Love My Blazer - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Kara - July 21 - 1:48 pm

  I bought my Blazer as a 1st car, and I love it. I dont like the gas mileage, but everything else is amazing. Ive been in a few ditches, and it gets right out. Its good with me being rough on a vehicle. Now I have 75000 mls on it, and it keeps going! Id recommend a Blazer to any new driver, aka teenagers. Its safe and reliable in the winter, and fun to drive. Its also fun for camping. Just pile it full of things and off we go! Last, for those of you interested in subwoofers, the sound is amazing in it. Buy the cheapest and they will still sound amazing. This SUV is built for quality.

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  Quit your whinning...this is a good car! - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By 8 Handicap - July 21 - 10:00 am

  I am surprised to see all of the negative comments about this car. The car handles great, has terrific acceleration, and is very comfortable on long trips. We have only had one service issue with the car and the dealership repaired it because we bought an extended warranty. Just a little advise to buyers of American cars...BUY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY...you are going to have problems. The only service I have had to pay for is new front disk break rotors and pads at 60,000 miles (which is excellent). Overall this has been a great car for my family. Malibus dont hold their value,but they will give you good service if you take good care of them.

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  great - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By kunk - July 21 - 10:00 am

  always have loved camaros. This is the best one that I have owned.

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  My Experience - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By JYoho - July 21 - 10:00 am

  After 2 years and being someone that keeps vehicles a long time, I am ready to unload this one. The squeeks and rattles have won; I am tired of fighting with Chevrolet who tells me to go to the dealer and the dealer who says that they cant do anything about the poor quality. The drivetrain made a lot of noise until the 11th trip to the dealer who finally replaced it. Finally confessed there was a problem with it. The squeek in the leaf springs is an ongoing battle that I am losing. The squeeks and groans in the body flex are common and to the point where I expect them. Cans say that I will buy another GM product.

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  super great car - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By mikedib - July 21 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Got it fully loaded $27,000. Love the exterior look. I love the size. I love the smooth Ride. I love the styling. I love the interior. I almost bought a toyota avalon, glad I didnt. Ill never buy another toyota. This car is so roomy for my family and rides nice.

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  Concerned consumer - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Alicia Martinez - July 21 - 9:02 am

  We bought the new 2008 Tahoe 6/27/08 and already have a major concern. We have a growing family and and our new one (w/3rd seat) stinks! The seating design was obviously not thought out very well. We purchased the 2008 with two full benches, second row has 40/60 split, and the car seat latch (anchors/tethers)system was not put in the correct spot. They are located on the 40 spilt, and the middle seat of the 60 spilt of the second bench, putting these directly behind the passenger seat and in the the middle making it impossible for anyone to accesess the 3rd bench without removing and re-installing a child car seat every time to access 3rd seat! (have 2 c/ss)

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  The worst vehicle I have ever owned - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By andrew - July 21 - 12:17 am

  31K two original tires replaced for odd bulges and noises. 44k both rear brake slave cylinders leaking brake fluid. 45k cd player stops playing. 47k lower manifold intake gasket failing and fuel filter leaking gas. 53k rack and pinion leaking power steering fluid and upper intake gasket leaking oil. This vehicle has been well maintained, regular oil changes etc. Even so Its in the shop alot! I dont care what kind of deal your getting, beware, spend your money else where!

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  Like a Rock - 1994 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Nate - July 20 - 9:44 pm

  Runs great! Got it brand new in 94 still have and plan on keeping it. Has some minor problems that I can get fixed. But all in all its never failed me.