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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  Be Careful with this SUV! - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Razorback Fan - September 18 - 5:48 am

  I bought this car in June of 2006 with 64,000 miles on it. By July 28, it was in the shop for a new heating core and radiator problems. It is now September 18 and it has been back in the shop since Labor Day getting a new motor. Labor Day we were taveling to see family, and it broke down on the side of the road. The rods and bearings were shot among other things. I love the features of this SUV, but should have had it inspected first. The mechanic says that Blazers are known for these type of problems. Warning: it does drive like a truck so expect rattles, squeaks, and a little rough riding etc.

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  impressive electronics - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By diffrunt - September 18 - 2:36 am

  My lighter HHR was sportier & handled better,but a lot noisier, so I appreciate the quiet luxury feel of this one. I would delete gaudy chrome, useless roof rack & lower the body to close the gap over the tires. Lower center of gravity always improves handling.

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  Chevy Blazer LS 4x4 - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Phil G. - September 17 - 9:42 pm

  Ive got about 45,000 on this SUV with no problems. Its the most functional vehicle Ive ever owned. The interior is not trendy but very driver-friendly. The size is great, not as big as my wifes new Trailblazer, but big enough to seat 4 with ease with plenty of cargo room. The truck frame and engine, the Vortec, make it less refined but more durable than many of the newer SUVs. Its great in the snow, and theres enough muscle in the engine to handle passing on the interstate. Ive been thinking of trading it in on a newer SUV, but its hard to find anything I like better. I also like the styling, its big but not imposing.

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  New, but great - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mike G - September 17 - 3:11 pm

  I tried the 4 runner, which seemed great until I drove the Chevy. I traded up from a Cobalt. So far so good. Its a smooth truck. I expected the ride to be a little harder, but it handles better than a small car.

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  Fun Car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By kram nala - September 17 - 2:03 pm

  I only got the base model, but this is a great sporty economy car, not an economy sports car -- there is a difference. It handles well and is fun to drive. I havent opened it up yet, but heard from another Cobalt driver that highway speeds close to 100 miles are easily attainable. Not bad for a 2.2L motor. Ive had a number of comments like, "sharp car" in the weeks Ive owned it.

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  1999 Malibu Review - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By RB - September 17 - 10:45 am

  The car from the outside is very nice with its soft lines and curves. The muffler is tucked up under the body, unlike some cars of this class. The look is sporty for a functional sedan. The reliability suffers with some poor engineering and very high cost parts. Problems with my car have been repeated lock cylinder and intake gasket replacement, with overheating issues. For the cost of repairs, the car continues to be strong competition for cars in this price range, and functionality.

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  Greatest Car Ever!!! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jimmy - September 17 - 9:06 am

  Absolutely the best car I have ever owned. It is a blast to drive. I just want to drive it all the time. Every day when I go out to lunch people pull up and ask me about the car. I love the sound of the engine while driving.

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  Love my MC Supercharged SS - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Lori B - September 16 - 10:13 pm

  I absolutely love this car. My 6th MC and have a 2007 SS ordered but it is nowhere near a pretty as this one. MCs have been overlooked by GM and not given the attention they deserve. They feel solid, safe and really run. I have done nothing in 43000 miles except put in gas and change the oil. Only drawback has been the premium fuel with the supercharged model. I had a 2003 yellow MC before this superchared 2004 and strangers would walk up to me and tell me what a beautiful car I had. A lot! I can barely stand trading it in. I like the feeling I have while driving it. I truely hate GM for abandoning it. I have been looking at Hondas and Camrys if we cant deal on the 2007 MC.

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  Buyer beware - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By fightnphoto - September 16 - 9:33 pm

  The Cobalt ss/sc was a great idea but GM blew the execution. With less than 20,000 miles on the odometer the car is on its third clutch, had an injector fail, the radio replaced, exhaust rattle repaired, dash cluster replaced, rear seat hinge fixed, rear package tray reattached and the best part is GM wont back there product. The clutches were "reworked" due to a manufacturing issue. GM claims they have addressed the wear issues but wants consumers to pay around $1600.00 to replace the part with the new one. I know that there is the real possibility I have bought a lemon but GM hasnt stood by there product. I would love to know the power of this car but cant Im afraid it will fall apart.

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  Outstanding Gas Mileage - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Robert Yamin - September 16 - 2:20 pm

  Great car for the highway. Drove round trip to Maryland from Florida. Averaged 70 MPH, got 35 MPG. Plenty of room for passengers, and a large trunk for luggage. Has more power with a 3.4 engine than my previous 3.8 Mustang.