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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  First 4 cylinder - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ulli - June 25 - 10:20 am

  I waited until the newness wore off to write a review. First the performance of the 2.4 is a pleasant surprise. After driving V8s for years, I was apprehensive. I just returned from a 3547 mi. trip to Az. and back to Wa. Highway speeds from 60 to 75 were maintained and at elevations from sea level to 7000 ft. Mileage for the trip was 26 mpg actual, about 1.2 mpg below indicated. I have no question that the 29 mpg could be achieved (or exceeded) at 65 mph max. and no mountain driving. I dont have that discipline. The Equinox is extremely quiet at highway speeds. On rubberized asphalt there is no road noise either. Seating is very comfortable (my bad back is appreciative). Good Ride!

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  Colorado Review - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Rinasg - June 24 - 11:40 pm

  This roomy little truck drives smoothly and saves me a lot on gas. I can haul my sons gokart around with no problem. I can seat up to six people comfortably and I get many compliments on its good looks.

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  No More GM (Gouge Me) - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Wade Petrishen - June 24 - 5:55 pm

  Have replaced by 50000 miles: steering rack, steering pump, LF hub, cyl head gaskets, intake manifold gaskets NEEDS replacing: electronic level control shocks are leaking and should be replaced. Because of the exhorbitant cost I will probably convert the system, even though I like it, to a regular system.

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  Pleasently Surprised - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Bob777 - June 24 - 12:03 pm

  I have not had a GM product for some time and Ive heard what seem to be a lot of negative things about GM cars, but the Colorado seemed to meet my needs the best at this time, so I got it. It has about 5K miles on it now and I have to say the build quality is quite good and the gas mileage is great. I get 28 MPG on the road and 24 MPG in town with a bit of Highway driving. Mileage seems to be gettng better with additional miles. My previous trucks were a Nissan Frontier and Ford ranger. Both were good trucks, but this Chevy is better. Id would recommend this truck for anyone that wants a small truck with good mileage and comfort. Get the 3.73 gears if you plan to get a 4 cyl.

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  BEATS CAMRY, ACCORD AND ALTIMA BY A LONG SHOT - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By AO Schoenitz - June 24 - 12:45 am

  We owned a 2008 Chevy Impala LS that was by far the best vehicle I have ever come across in terms of reliability. We drove this vehicle for 224,000 miles and only experienced 2 out of the norm repairs over the course of 5 years. Both repairs were under $500 each which translates to minimal costs for upkeep of this vehicle. The miles per gallon for the size vehicle is most impressive during the early years of the cars life, 33+. The handling during Winter Weather is excellent as well. The car has some weight that it holds the road well. Power is nice and in abundance. The trunk is large. Their are only (2) gripes. One is that every vehicle should have 60/40 seats. The LS model did not have this option. The other issue is more for aesthetics in that the lower portion of the dashboard uses cheaper plastic that simply does not have to look and feel like it was a material decided by some bean counter accountant. For such a strong and reliable vehicle, why not complete the circle and make an interior you can cherish. Bought with 15,000 miles.

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  Great Car - 1996 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Danny - June 23 - 1:09 pm

  I love the LT-4 higher revving engine (6400 rpm redline) coupled with the 6- spd manual transmission. This car rates a 10 on the fun meter to drive. Gas mileage is great as long as you keep your right foot out of it around town. Love the performance, brakes, ice cold a/c, Bose stereo and above all reliability. Great car!

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  True American Sports Car - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By John - June 23 - 11:37 am

  Great for long trips w/ upwards of 30mpg or 500 from an 18 gallon tank. Not enough side support for cornering in the seats but still holds on to the road well. Inside a little cheap, they could have used aluminum for the trim instead of aluminum-colored plastic. Engine bay not as nice as previous generation and hard to keep clean. Could have gone with a better sound system but all around this car beats out even European cars for the fun to price ratio.

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  Best Ive Ever Had - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By J.S. - June 23 - 1:01 am

  Bought a new one in 2001 (one of the first ones on the road). Traded it in and regretted it ever since. Finally got back into a Trailblazer. Ive had them all - Durango, Passport, Grand Cherokee, Land Rover. I enjoy the Trailblazer far better than any of them! Gas mileage is fine. (18.9 avg.) What do you expect from an SUV? Much better than the Durango gas hog!

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  Nice Van - Gaskets stink - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Lorne - June 22 - 10:14 pm

  Typical thing with GM vehicles I have ever purchased. Always something wrong that is notorious with it. Rear disc brakes seizing in the early 90s cars. Now with this engine the head hasket and/or intake gasket is crap. Seems everyone has this problem. But GM wont fix it. No wonder people are buying foreign. I would love to stay domestic, but I cant afford the $3000 repair bills on something they know is a problem. This problem really takes away a comfortable van with lots of room and good gas economy.

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  It is a way of life - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By EightySixTangos - June 22 - 9:35 pm

  I picked it up at the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling, Kentucky. It is a red convertible with paddle shift. Once it was broken in I drove it 2600 miles with the top down. The only problem I had was dead bugs all over the front bumper and side mirrors. I previously had a red C4 Convertible. The difference in ride quality and handling is phenomenol. Be sure and get it with Paddle Shift. Once you get used to used to it, you will notice a huge performance difference between it and the automatic. If you can, go to the National Corvette Museum for delivery. They take you on a personal tour of the factory. Remember, Corvette owners wave at each other. Save the Wave!