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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  They Think Im The CIA, FBI... - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jaunty - April 24 - 8:03 pm

  or part of the Presidential escort team. Must be the tinted glass and window trims. 155K miles, and running strong. One new alternator, battery cable housing, fuel pump, oil changes and new rubber. Carts the kids and all their friends, holds up 4X8 sheets of anything with no problem. Great boat hauler, excellent snow vehicle. Feel safe always. One fender bender, other truck was bigger, imagine that, so I took the hit.Little rust starting to show under driver door. Same exhaust for 8 years! Wish I could afford a new one,

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  This car is so underrated - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Kim - April 24 - 7:41 pm

  I get 35-36 on the highway often more. I get 26-27 in the city/burbs. I think people need to get beyond the car the Cobalt replaces and enjoy this car. It is very cute and I get compliments from all ages. I know it isnt a luxury car but it is fun for non-hot rodders of all ages, that doesnt mean you are boring either. Put a fin on a car and it is a sports car

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  3.1L need I say more - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By snake11292006 - April 24 - 2:37 pm

  My girlfriend bought this car a little over a year ago and it was a very realiable car until about a month ago. The frist thing was the intake gaskets had to be replaced at about 115000 miles. We got the car back and it ran fine for a 3 weeks when a new leak devloped. Took it to a shop and found that the timing chain cover was leaking. So that will be another $350 to fix. If you dont want to sink a lot of money into a car then dont buy one with the 3.1 or the 3.4 they have nothing but problems.

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  What do you think? - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Danielle - April 24 - 1:33 pm

  I just bought the TrailBlazer and I think I like it. I am not sure about the gas mileage. I think it could do a lot better, but it rides like a Caddy and I like that. But so far so good!

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  Basic transportation vehicle - 1990 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Basic transportation - April 24 - 12:14 pm

  I got this car from my aunt with 21,000 mi on it. It is good for people who are on a budget. Its cheap to fix and maintain, and it has just enough to suit my needs. It has a 2.8 liter V6 engine with multi-port fuel injection. I replaced the horn, the muffler, and the paint job. This car will run for a very long time without many problems and very good on gas especially around here in New York State. Its a cheap, basic, solid transportation vehicle.

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  Mixed emotions now - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Rhuxster - April 24 - 12:04 pm

  This car was a dream cake for the first 8 years. Only had regular maintence required. For the 9th year, all hell broke loose! gas tank leak, alternator died, engine gasket failed, leaked radiator fluid, engine clatters badly (piston slap), noisy fuel pump, transmision not running well (1st-2nd gear), brakes required for the first time, battery died, hand break stopped working, tail pipe supports rusted off. I live in the northern climate where lots of salt is used in winter and I still dont have any body rust yet! The paint has not faded much. Theres no rattles, squeeks, or trimmings falling apart like my previous GM cars. Engine runs smooth. gas mileage still good.

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  Awesome Chevy Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By jamie - April 24 - 8:16 am

  Far and above out tows, pulls, performs, and has better fuel mileage than all my friends non GM cars.Three of my friends continuiously ask to borrow my Chevy to pull thier large loads, especially on long trips for the comfort and many options not on their trucks.

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  Love the convertible - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jim1962 - April 24 - 12:55 am

  I just purchased a 1994 Cavalier convertible about a month ago. Got a real good deal on it, only paid $1500 for it and it only had 56,000 miles. I was looking for a more economical vehicle since the price of gas has gone through the roof. I love this thing! It not only gets great gas mileage(approx 30mpg) but looks great and is fun to drive. When I bought it, it was filthy! I took it and had it detailed and the guy there offered me $5000 for it. I love the convertible feature, never had one before, but love it now!

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  Big fun with a price - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By drwooly - April 23 - 7:59 pm

  Course I got this before the current gas problems, but I dont care! With the 6.0L engine, this is a blast to drive. Feels very solid better than my last 2004 Silverado Crew Cab. AWD really feels good. Mileage is worse than expected, but not horrible. (The same as my Silverados 5.3L engine) Road/Street combined around 14-15 mpg. Have found 1.5 mpg difference between 55mph, and 65mph. Build quality vey,very good. No problems, 4,00 mi. into it. Just a good, less expensive Corvette, with a big trunk!

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  Poor quality - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By consultant3 - April 23 - 2:54 pm

  Purchased car from family/original owner at 40k. 6 cycl. 40k replaced alternator, brake pads and adjustment, battery and tires by 30k, by 70k serp belt, headliner-visor worn, a/c - Freon, now at 78k, oil pan gasket leaks, est. -up to $300. Suspension is bad, you feel every minor bump. This is the fifth and last gm for me. Imports are not perfect, but, this is terrible! I might try a Mazda?