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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  stupidest car i ever bought - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By spc - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I ourchased a red SSR about three weeks ago and it has tot be one of the most regrettable things I have ever done. NASCAR truck series styling has drawn many smirks on the road, with a few people (probably rightfully so) calling me "redneck" and "hoosier". I am actually emabarassed to drive the car and have it up for sale. Luggage room is marginal and the ride is purely marginal. the styling is fleeting, at best!. DONT BUY

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  No more Blazers for me - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By No More Blazers - February 22 - 2:00 am

  This SUV has been nothing but trouble. In addition to lots of small things (three horn relays, transmission seals bad at 40,000 miles, etc.) I just foudn out that I need a new transmission and oil coolant lines. I trading in this piece of junk for a foreign car. Ill never buy another Chevrolet again and will be sure to tell everyone I know about the poor quality and even poorer service that I received from Chevy.

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  warning to all equinox owners - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By klipper - February 19 - 10:00 am

  wife and i put 800 mi. on vehicle. after returning from trip, i was slowing down for left hand turn. a-arm (axle) literally snapped, luckily at 15- 20 mph. left front wheel base was hanging off. 100 miles earlier, we would of been killed at 70 mph on interstate 90. very serios problem!!! question is, isolated incident???

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  Glad to be rid of it. - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By jh98 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Not much good to say about this vehicle. Had to replace the seat recliner handles (twice), thermostat, and wiper motor. Brakes are terrible and lock up for no reason. Radiator and oil leaks have also been a problem. By far the cheapest interior Ive seen in any vehicle. Traded it in before having to spend more cash on repairs.

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  Poor equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By 987sep - February 14 - 10:00 am

  The exterior of the new Equinox is very apealing. But after owning one for 2 months I regret the purchase. After our first long trip I found the seats to be very unconfortable. Head rests cause very little upper back suport. Also have had issues with strut noise and small issues as well. The overall quality I feel; is poor. I think the Equinox is a good concept but needs some work to improve the overall package.

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  2003 Malibu LS - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Seahrse - February 12 - 2:00 am

  My car has been in the shop three times in six weeks for three different mechanical problems. My enjoyment of the vehicle has been replaced with trepidation. Every time I drive it I wait to see what goes wrong.

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  New truck bad tranny - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By burned again - February 8 - 5:33 pm

  Bought new 05-08-2010. Transmission is failing. Will not hold vehicle weight in rev or drive on an incline. Very dangerous situation pulling small boat and trailer. Actually will pull boat backward down ramp while in drive. Taking back to dealer Tuesday, June 01,2010. Still have temp tag on vehicle! A friend has a gmc on its 3rd tranny.

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  DISAPPOINTED CHEVY OWNER - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By MIKE - February 7 - 10:53 pm

  I am very disappointed with my purchase of the Chevrolet 4X4 crew cab 3500 pickup. I am towing about 8000 lbs on a regular basis and traded a 2004 Toyota Tundra for the Chevy. This truck rides okay when not towing, but hook a 26 trailer to it and the ride is so uncomfortable you have to pull over every hour or so or it will beat you to death. It averages 7-9mpg and seems to top out at 60 mph on slight inclines. The Tundra by far is a better vehicle more leg room and the overall package is 100% better than Chevrolets "best towing truck" It is too bad as I have been a long time Chevrolet owner but this will be the last.

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  1997 Malibu - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By roberth - February 6 - 2:00 am

  puschased this veh at 36k miles, appently all the good had been used. had trouble with alignment on rear tires. car vibrates excessively and the road noise is terrible. car was quasi- ok for the first year we had it, put in a new battery. had the alternator replaced. last year the water pump went out. that is quite a chore!! had to remove the timing chain.would not recommend this car to others.

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  My first car, worst car. - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By erigney - February 5 - 9:22 pm

  I bought this car myself with the money I had made from my first job. This wasnt even three years ago and I have probably paid for it twice in repairs. New timing chain. New spark plugs -twice. New spark wires- twice. New Catalytic Converter. Cleaned Muffler. New turn signal switch. Ect. This car has been nothing but heartache. I loved it to death at first, but its sucking me dry. Still trying to sell it.... Would not recommend.