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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  Good Value - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By hamfarb - November 16 - 3:23 pm

  Im on a tight budget with a family of 4 and needed something that will last ten years and grow with the children. After testing 4 different new and 5 used models I felt the Equinox LS offered the best value for the $$. I would have liked to upgrade to LT, but it was too much of a stretch. That said, you get a lot of "upgrade" level features on the LS. After 2000 miles performance has been great. Mileage around 26 combined. Only two minor repairs -dealer forgot to put on antenna and a cap on the windshield wiper nut fell off. Dealer fixed both -no questions. No issues in interior.

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  2006 SSR - 2006 Chevrolet SSR
  By Tom James - November 15 - 8:51 pm

  Great drive. Like it much better that our 2005 BMW M-3 convertible. Handles great, holds the road like its glued on even in heaq\vy Florida rains. Got rid of M-3 now looking for 2nd SSR!

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  A lot for the money - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MajorTom - November 15 - 7:00 pm

  Based of four long test drives, 6 and 4cyl - FWD and AWD, We ordered a 6 cyl- AWD. Excellent ride on a very rough highway. I thought the 18" tires rode better than the 17". We travel with a lot of stuff and sometimes haul a trailer so the 6cyl power is a must. The look and features are hard to believe for under $30,000. Keep it up New GM, its about time.

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  Love the Burb - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Happy burb in So CA - November 15 - 2:49 pm

  Weve owned this Sub since moving up from a Tahoe. Ours has been flawless for hauling kids, gear and even towing a 20 trailer full of off road vehicles. The K&N intake and a superchips programmer are a must upgrade and it doesnt need a loud exhaust because we love to hear the soundtracks of the DVDs. Our kids and their friends love it. I think well keep this one even after we get my wife a new one.

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  America has arrived - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Okie - November 15 - 1:27 pm

  I was never a Corvette fan, until the arrival of the C6. The new covered head lights, and smaller cleaner looks caught my eye, along with a more reasonable price tag than other cars I was considering. I could not be more happy with this car. It rides better than my friends Carrera S at half the price. The engine pulls from a 1000 rpms in any gear. Phenomenol braking and superb handling, and it looks right at home next to Gallardos and F430s. The overall fun for the money factor of this car is unequaled. America has arrived at the party. This vehicle is finally a world class competitor in the sports car arena.

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  Worst car Ive ever bought - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By apptt - November 15 - 10:58 am

  I have never owned a car with more problems. Ive had to bring it in 3 times in the past year with repairs. Ive had to pay almost $1000 this last time. I bought this car as a "Ceritfied Used Car" from a reputable dealer.

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  Chevy Blazer - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By docock - November 15 - 10:43 am

  All in all it is an OK SUV. I wouldnt purchase another one. The inside of the vechicle is not big enough to haul or carry enough people if you have to use car seats. It is not a family SUV. The gas mileage is terrible. I have to fill up the tank once a week just for grocery shopping and taking the kids to school.

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  130MPH!! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Undisclosed - November 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Aveo on the nite of 7/25 and about 2hrs later I figured I would "see where the fuel cutoff engages", well to mine and my friends suprise, there is no limiter, I stretched 4th gear out to 5500rpm and shifted to 5th, slowly climbing all the way past the 120mph speedometer it hit the odometer peg (124-125?) at 5400rpm in 5th and proceeded to pull upto 5700rpm, I figure we gained another 5-6mph. So, on a more "polliticaly correct" note, the engine in this car is straight from the Daewoo Kalos (along with the rest of the car) and its a proven reliable engine... it was in the Daewoo Lanos and Nubira back in 98- 99 and its been a good reliable motor

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  Awesome, Awesome, Awesome - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By michaelmegga - November 15 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Chevey Colorado 4door Z71 Ls for a few months no and absolutely love it...on and off the pavement. I live in the heart of the Colorado Rockies at 10000 ft and have put this truck to the test in all area and it has done better than my brother in laws Toyota Tacoma hands down. I have driven both and like the Colorad better than any truck I have ever owned. IT IS SIMPLY AWESOME. Chevy finally built a solid truck through and through.

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  great car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By p. therapist - November 15 - 10:00 am

  interior so quiet when under way. 3.4L engine so smooth at idle sounds like its off, and gas milage is terrific. so many standard features its amazing.and i only have the base model!ride is smooth,i have to say that build quality is excellent. no squeaks everything fits nice and tight. paint job is excellent.you can hardly feel the trans. shift.for a little over 16000 dollars i got a lot of car for the money. g.m. is building great cars. and its roomy with a big big trunk.