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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  Not so bad - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By TheRat - July 8 - 8:06 am

  This is the third GM car that I have purchased. Love the style. Have had only one problem other then normal maintenace.

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  Poor fuel economy - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MB - July 8 - 2:43 am

  We have had our Trailblazer fro about 10 months...and basically I love it EXCEPT for the fuel econmy! It STINKS! It seems every other day I am putting gas in, and I only have a 5-7 mile commute daily. It doesnt even come close to my friends Ford Freestlye as far as fuel economy. Other than that, it is a very comfortable ride and is fun to drive.

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  Cheap Cheap Cheap - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Jamie Keaton - July 7 - 10:20 pm

  I own a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS 4x4, purchased it in February 2006 with around 11,000 miles on it. Since Ive owned the vehicle, Ive already replaced the rotors. The rubber molding trim around the back doors comes through when the doors are shut. The black plastic molding around the front driver side door handle keeps falling off- local Chevrolet dealership fixed it and it fell off again. The front passenger seat molding around the bottom of the seat is loose. The glove compartment will completely fall out onto the floor from time to time. Overall this vehicle was made cheap and Ill never buy another one. Im looking into trading for a Toyota 4Runner.

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  Almost Perfect! - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By dannysal2004 - July 7 - 7:38 am

  Considering my last car was a VW Jetta, the Equinox feels like I am driving an aircraft carrier! I love this car (well, actually, its a truck/crossover). The interior space is expansive and the seats are super comfortable for both driver, passenger, and folks in the back seat. The ride is soft does a decent job absorbing bumps in the road. The back seat adjusts so you can have extra cargo space or extra leg room in the back.

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  American Astro quality is unmatched - 2000 Chevrolet Astro
  By UAW Forever - July 7 - 5:10 am

  I love my Astro, its been the most reliable car Ive ever had. American build quality is making waves once again and Im proud to own this vehicle. Handles great, the 4.3 vortec is bullet-proof and super responsive. You dont have to worry about little problems because the Astro parts while not luxurious are very time-tested.

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  The price is right - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By mark schmid - July 6 - 10:46 am

  Good price and no problems so far with 16,000 on it. Nice looking in and out and more room than expected but could do better on mileage.

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  Nice mix of Minivan and SUV - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Don Bistrow - July 6 - 9:56 am

  What caught my eye was the Uplander styling when I saw it in a parking lot. I like the hood styling and thought it was an SUV until I noticed the sliding doors. The exterior and interior styling is very nice. Some things could be improved like the cheap plastic on some parts. The seats front and second row could go back further, the middle row does not leave much leg room, especially for adults. I like the instrument panel, the cruise control should be higher up on the side of the wheel instead of near the bottom. The ride and handling are very good and with the rear seats out this vehicle works perfect for cargo. The sliding doors make access easy. Its like an SUV with van features.

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  Report of my new HHR LT Truck - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Anna Kirby - July 6 - 9:13 am

  I have really enjoyed the driving experience of this vehicle. Easy to handle, good on gas mileage, love all the remote features. This vehicle turns on a dime. So far, no complaints.

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  Best of the mid-size crossovers. - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By exec1107 - July 6 - 6:36 am

  Ordered 11/30/09. Delivered 01/30/10. LT1 w/pwr drivers seat, upgraded speakers, back-up camera. Dealer accessories included mud guards, cargo net and cargo shade. Solid vehicle. Peppy 4-cyl, esp when not in "Eco" mode. Getting 21-22 mpg in town, and engine not fully broken in yet. Large, comfy seats. Quiet cabin. Sensible dash layout. Attractive interior and exterior styling. "Eco" mode causes earlier shifting, so sometimes car will rumble at low speeds. Very few of these cars on dealers lots. Well worth the wait.

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  So Fun - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By scrotti - July 6 - 4:53 am

  When you hop into a C6 Vette it will be hard to get out. You wont want to. When driving, its a thrill. Handles great, more quiet than its predecessors, and performance wise its great. Its a head turning, jaw dropping, smile freezing,chick magnet of a car. Push button start is cool. Headlights turn on automatically, clearer HUD,in addition to sattelite radio and Onstar, its just too fun to drive.