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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  Dont buy this car(Pro Mechanic) - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By tommygee - June 13 - 7:22 am

  This car is my worst nightmare. My friends said I downgraded from my 2000 buich century. In city, im loosing 8 mpg-on hwy-12-16 mpg. The steering is for a weightlifter--very difficult, hard. The high seats on passenger side& inside trim at rear, make blind spots, you cant see the cars coming on the right side. You ask--what about mirror? guess what, its so small, you can miss seeing traffic. Seats are very cheaply made, w/hardly any padding for comfort. And guess what---no glove box lock, or light to see, figure that. I was appealed by this car, by its looks, not as a car & dont want anyone to do this stupid action. If you take it home for 2 days---I promise you professionally--you will give it back.

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  Run like the wind - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Scared - June 12 - 6:38 pm

  This is the worst quality vehicle I have ever seen. It is dangerous (seat belt and tie rod problems) and GM should be sued. They know this vehicle should be recalled. I have 26K miles and is has been repaired for tie rods, steering problems, tire problems, electric window problems, interior is falling apart, doors would not close, seatbelts etc... We have replaced 3 seat belts and not one but 2 tie rods. I hope this vehicle does not kill any families! I called GM and they basically said tough luck (we can give you some free oil changes)!!

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  Maliboooo! Bad Car! - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Malibu no more - June 8 - 10:32 am

  This car had been horrible! Bought it used from a dealer and bought the extended warranty, that was lucky as the knocking and the leaking head gasket wrecked the engine. The insurance paid for its replacement. Then the second engine started doing the same thing! It made a loud knocking sound that "GM does not consider it a problem." Then it overheated and the mechanic did not think it is worth replacing this engine. So the car is junk. We have had the gas door rusting issue and the ignition switch not working issue,the and the turn signals not working issue too. The interior is cheap and we had to replace two speakers that failed. The fan motor does not work in the low speed settings

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  Worst car I have ever had - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By H.Smair - May 30 - 5:45 am

  Stay away from Diesel, it has a lot of issues, I am at 35000 miles, all sort of problems with check engine, also the exhaust fluid system has big issues, it will reduce your speed and stop the car completely if not fixed ....high expenses maintenance not worth buying a Diesel,

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  Id rather have my 1972 Ford Pinto Back!!! - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Timothy Keller - May 17 - 4:17 am

  Where to start??? $140.00 to change a headlight at dealership. No access without taking the whole front clip off. Designer certainly doesnt have this car. Engine light comes on if the wind blows the wrong way. Ive had a number of recall notices. Most of which tell me not to do anything until I experience the problem listed in the recall, steering, electrical, fogged up front glass. All of which may be too late by the time the problem happens. Traction is good if I never get any rain or snow. I almost got rear ended by a dump truck because my brake light didnt light up. luckily there I was watching in the rear view mirror and quickly pulled off the road to avoid that collision. Oh, and I was now able to to have that fix under the recall. Without going on and on, about the problems Ive had with this car, Id just like to say GM should buy everyone of these death traps back from the people who spend their money on them. Con, who did GM have to payoff to allow these vehicles to be sold to the public. They knowingly put the drivers and everyone else on the roads in danger. Ill never own another GM vehicle!!!

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  snowplow problems - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By snowplow - May 5 - 11:16 pm

  Have an on going problem when trying to plow with this truck.It loses amperage so bad I can not pick the plow up until I shut the truck off and wait a bit before restarting.They put on a new voltage regulator,new computer etc.When the mechanic called the GM rep and discussed this with him he said there was nothing wrong.I make a living with my truck and have had 12+ Chevys over the years with no problems,this is ridiculous.I feel I am being pushed aside because they dont know whats wrong yet.

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  BAD PERFORMANCE - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By russell - April 14 - 10:38 pm

  Bought car with 100,000 mi. from dealership. After 2 days started running bad, took back they changed a coil pack and plug wire, Ran good for a few days started acting bad, no power then light came on. Took back needed a catylitic converter. drove fine for a few days, Now runs like a dead dog, no power unless you kick in passing gear. Something is wrong. Only made one payment and ready to trade and take the loss. Very unsatisfied

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  Please Reconsider This Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ballyclassic - March 22 - 7:28 pm

  Purchased new in 2005 and it has been a long road with repairs. I finally feel at 4,000 in out of pocket repairs Im at the end for reliability. Several electrical problems (Not covered) fuel system problems, I dont have enough space to comment. Please reconsider this vehicle it is very poor on mpg 14-15 overall and horrible in the snow or wet roads. If you live in a perfect climate than this is for you. One rainy day, snow covered road or ice and you will be trading it in. I have been a GM owner for years but sorry to say I will not be a supporter in the future.

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  Leave it on the lot! - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By LucySue8780 - March 20 - 3:31 pm

  I bought my Cobalt and 11 days later, it was in the shop.I have had the car 15 months, and it has been in the shop 6 times for manufacture defects. Just this week, the lock cylinder broke. Its a good thing I was at work and not stuck in a dim parking lot at night.The steering column, the shift assembly, and the lock cylinder have all been replaced. I am waiting on the new radio to come in, which will actually be the 4th radio. The blinkers and front speakers will not work right if your radio is messed up. Very bad blindspots, when trying to look over your shoulder. Poorly designed overall.Fuel mileage, not that great. Brakes dont last.Chevy, quit making this piece of junk! Its not reliable!!!!!!!

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  Disappointment - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jose Pires Jr - March 12 - 12:54 pm

  I bought my 2014 Silverado and my radio never worked. Took back a few times they said that the radio stations dont have HD signal yet and all they did was turn the HD off. Never works more than 30 sec and then gets noisy again and reading for HD signal. On top of that I had 9 recalls so far since set 2013. My truck has 30k miles 2 years later and I couldnt start it in the morning to go to work, sounded like the battery died completely overnight. I charged the battery and the dashboard now says Service Theft Deterrent System. Truck started last night and I want to take it back to the dealership Team Superstores in Vallejo CA 94591, and the truck wont start again. Im very frustrated took a bus to work this morning and my truck its on my driveway. I highly do not recommend this truck to anybody.