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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  224,000 miles and just getting started - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By snm1220 - December 19 - 5:07 pm

  I acquired this car from my son after turning my 4 door car over to my children for their family use. I immediately noticed the 35 mpg plus highway gas mileage with the 4 speed automatic transmission. The air is ice cold in the summer & very warm in the winter. Visibility, ride & handling is very good. This car runs all day at highway speed, uses no oil or has any fluid leaks. Replacement parts are inexpensive. This is truly the most reliable, least cost per mile vehicle ive ever owned. At 300,000 miles I may change the transmission fluid for the first time. I cant imagine any foreign vehicle delivering this value.

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  06 monte carlo - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By ross88 - December 19 - 10:23 am

  i have had this car for a little over a year. i have pimped it out alittle put some 20s on it 1600waz stereo system in it and a little more i love it good power for a 3.5 i have been reading some of the reviews and some of the people have had power steering problems i have had that to. it is the power steering cooler line it rumbs on the exhaust and gets a hole i berned two pumps up because i couldnt fine the leek. there is recall on all of them. GM didnt use there brain on that one! other than that the car has been ok! i wish i got the SS i like a little speed! the 3.5 is pretty good big gas saver 30 miles to gallon. they are a really good car and looks great GM BRING BACK THE MONTE CARLO!

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  Stick with Ford! - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jennifer - December 19 - 3:40 am

  2 weeks after buying the car, it died. Had to have it towed in. Something under the shifter stuck and it stayed in reverse. I have had the car in 2 times for it pulling to the left. The crap car that I bought will be going back into the shop tomorrow. For it still pulling to the left, it doenst seem to have the power it did when I bought it (even though it is a 4CL), something is wrong with the rear end (it makes somekind of noise when I shut it off).

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  it could have been great - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By scoundral - December 19 - 3:31 am

  Chevy missed its chance. Cheap typical American car interior and materials. If the sun is out you cannot see the Nav. Talking about the Nav. it seemed about three years out of date when the car was new. Chevy needs to learn from Japan. The sound system has the same issue, just ok when it could have easily been great for not much more money. Sorry no I-Pod connection here. Controls are not on wheel either, this had become the norm on a new car. Run flats hold ok but create a hard ride, last 18000 and cost $500. each. My tranny was fine then just failed, in shop for 6 weeks and now 200 miles later has failed again. Thank god for my extended warranty. lots of little problems.

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  Equinox is a great value - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By anachrophile - December 19 - 2:20 am

  We bought the last 2008 Equinox on the lot with side airbags (standard in 2009). No trade-in, but still paid only $19500 (>$28000 list--it is optioned almost to LTZ, but no leather or the "sophisticated" 3.6L motor). Weve now had it 10 months and put on 10K mixed highway-city miles. Mileage: 17 in town & 25 on the road (you can do 1- 2 mpg better if careful). Absolutely NOTHING has gone wrong with this car and I cannot find even one manufacturing defect. Take that, Toyota and Honda! It is safe, comfortable, and quiet. Seats are a bit flat, especially the very spacious rear seats. But for $19K? Good deal!

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  Excellent affordable, dependable car - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Mary Beth - December 18 - 1:14 pm

  Ive had this car for almost 2 years and over 37,000 miles. It is used for a 40 mile round trip to work every day and hauling 3 kids around. Ive read a couple of reviews from other owners who had chronic problems but I can honestly say I have had absolutely none yet. I think this an excellent car for someone who needs a dependable, affordable yet still sporty looking family car.

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  More good than bad - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Don W - December 18 - 10:45 am

  Ive owned this vehicle for 20 months and 30000 miles. No tire replacement yet, maybe 6000 miles more on them. I love the performance. I owned a Malibu before this Impala. I just feel the Impala is more stable, especially when needing a fast acceleration, or a quick braking. The extra-loud cabin noises (engine Whine and outside wind) are irritating.

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  Enjoying new TrailBlazer EXT - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By rishemre - December 18 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed my new truck, I have had it about a month. Traded a 98 Blazer. The straight 6 has surprising power and plenty of passing power. The interior is very nice, however, on the basic LS, Chevy got cheap on items like no cover on the visor mirrors and manual adjustment on the rear view mirror. When you get into this price range, these should be a standard feature. I hope I am as happy in one year because as of right now, I think it is a great truck.

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  Excellent - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By "WB9PAR" - December 18 - 10:00 am

  I compared this car to others in the same category. Nothing else in the price range could compare. Conservative styling yet sporty. Handles very well and is quite. Wind noise with windows down is an issue. So far excellant mileage (27.8 MPG) Electric steering is effortless and has good feedback.

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  cheap interior - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By norman 189 - December 18 - 10:00 am

  Great performing and great looking truck from the exterior. Cheap looking from the inside. Boring interior, stiff seats, no style what so ever. cheap console between seats. Cheap thin looking plastic door panels. Rides nice. Handles excellent with good braking. If only they(GM) would of spent more than 5 minutes and $5.00 on the interior this would be one great truck.