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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  Great First New Car Buying Experience! - 2013 Chevrolet Sonic
  By lrohlfs - June 29 - 12:20 pm

  My parents worked with Andre before on the purchase of my dads camero and had a wonderful experience the first time, which is why my mom chose to go back and have Andre sell us my new Chevy Sonic. I love the car! For the price, the options that come with it are unavailable at other places. This deal just seemed to fit what we were looking for perfectly!

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  Where do I start - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By stmyers - June 28 - 11:49 pm

  I have a 2012 LTZ equinox with 14k miles, I can not count the times I have had to take it in for problems. This past week, my check engine light came on. Dealer said it has to do with the air filter we put in (k&n) we replaced the filter back to the orig. one and the light came on again. Called a different dealer and they said they were too busy to get my car in for at least two days... Do I just drive the car around with the check engine light on? Then, Today, I went to use my remote start and the remote start is not working. For as much as they cost, you think GM would get it right the first or second time... Im very disappointed with GM and more so with the dealership I purchased the car

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  2012 Colorado Crew LT3 V-8 - 2012 Chevrolet Colorado
  By aloexroys - June 28 - 3:38 pm

  Have owned the Colorado V8 for around 18 months, and it has been a true joy to drive, 300 HP in this relatively light vehicle is amazing, and it is a real sleeper. The sports suspension and low profile tires make it corner flat in most all situations. This is a little like driving a vette in pickup clothing. On the downside, the interior is pretty spartan, and the ride can get a little rough at times. Gas mileage pretty much sucks. All in all, a fine vehicle that I would buy again.

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  A Compact Car That Wants To Be More - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By spud90 - June 28 - 11:20 am

  I wanted to downsize to a car that could let me cope with $4.00+ per gallon gas, yet could take me on extended trips in comfort. The Cruze has so far fit my requirements. I have been reading reviews from car magazines and web sites that complain of shift points on the automatic and the overall lack of power. I disagree. I find that the automatic shifts/downshifts as it should and am beginning to believe that the 1.4L turbo horsepower numbers are under-reported by GM. This engine loves to race to the redline, and I have never been concerned when merging into freeway trafic. The suspension is on the taught side, but handling is great.

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  Surpassed expectations - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By mrc23 - June 26 - 5:15 pm

  Have put 6k miles on my Volt and I am very happy with the purchase. My work commute is about 20 miles a day round trip. Ive used 18.6 gallons of gas since I bought it. The Volt performs like a champion off a green light and in heavy highway traffic. Absolutely no issues getting where I need to go and moving at the pace I need to free myself of oblivious drivers. This car glides like glass, and I climb hills everyday. Shift into Sport mode and its a golf cart on steroids I routinely outrun german cars. Ive been in Audis for 10 years, and traded an A4 for the Volt.

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  Love the Cruze - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By beezer34 - June 25 - 10:48 am

  Have a Cruze LTZ with Navigation. Love the two toned interior. Had a Jetta before the Cruze and the Cruze blows it away. Better performance and nicer interior. Love it

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  Sad owner of an Equinox 2010 - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By maggienky - June 25 - 10:04 am

  I love this car but wait, if only the performance matched every thing else. It rides good, seats are fantastic, love the way it looks, has all kinds of room and has all kinds of problems. In the three years I have owned it, it has been in the shop at least 12 times and towed twice. They just replaced the engine after so many other problems. And now the transmission is giving me trouble.

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  Happy with my HHR - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By bones21 - June 24 - 1:04 pm

  Purchased a Chev. HHR from Hertrichs Capitol in Dover, DE. I am very pleased with my car. It took some time getting use to since I was use to a bigger windshield. The car gets good gas mileage. Hertrichs made me a good deal with the price too. I would recommend going to this dealer. They work hard in satisfying their customers. This is our third car that we have purchased from tem.

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  Poor Reliability Packaged in Comfortable Riding Vehicle - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By goldilocks2 - June 24 - 6:08 am

  Purchased brand new 2010 Chevy Equinox LT2 in March 2010. I had no problems with the car until 47,000 miles and then began to experience same engine problems reported by many owners on the Edmunds.com 2010 Chevrolet Equinox forum discussion: Rough sounding engine, threatening to stall when driving less than 20 mph or was idling. Dealer service center replaced drivetrain under warranty and air conditioner compressor. At 62,000 miles, needed 2nd drive train, so new dealer service center replaced engine. Now engine appears to work, but windshield wiper transmission blew at 69,000 miles, and actuator in air/heat unit needs replaced. This car is poor quality, but good ride. It is a money pit.

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  Go For It - 2013 Chevrolet Camaro
  By chuckfromli - June 23 - 5:28 pm

  Just got my 2SS Convert a little over two weeks ago. Have just over 1000 miles on it. Obviously I can not speak as to reliability yet, but it seems well built and Ive had no problems. It is definitely the most fun I have ever had in a car. I did have a 1997 Trans Am convertible, and that was fun, but this is much more solid. This just feels heavier and has much less body flex. It has no body flex really. I traded in a Toyota Sienna that I had bought just over a year ago. I bought that minivan for my wife, and I realized that with no little kids left at home, we really didnt need it, and I hated driving it. So I kept the wife, got rid of the minivan. Shes good with that.