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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  Looks Good But breakes a lot! - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ddgorman - August 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought lesst than a month ago, been in the shop more than I have been able to drive it, Trans went out, Gas Sencor went out, take a long time to fix the smallest problems!!! But I still love it when I get to drive it!

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  New owner - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By Bl4z3n - August 14 - 1:10 am

  The incorporation of a CVT on a full size SUV really makes the difference here. Not only does this feature always keep the vehicle in the perfect RPM range, it is super smooth. I just wish the interior was a bit more modern. My reliability rating is a wash as I have only had the vehicle for a few weeks.

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  Great truck based SUV - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By BobnSue - August 13 - 2:00 am

  This is a great all around SUV for those who need a heavy duty truck based SUV. The 4.2L engine tows heavy loads with ease. The ride is comfortable and the handling is better than a full size SUV such as a Tahoe. The mpg is only slightly better than a full size SUV. We average about 15mpg in mixed driving conditions. This is a very good vehicle with the 4WD if you live in an area that has a snowy winter. The build quality on GM products has been improving. Our Trailblazer has had a couple recalls and now it needs new brake rotors after only 11,000 miles, I hope this is not be a problem to get it repaired under warranty.

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  great so far and in snow too - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By jtny1 - August 12 - 7:51 pm

  i had a 2010 subaru legacy which I loved very much, but missed having a suv and being higher up. It was very dependable and got outstanding gas milleage for its size, etc. The cvt transmission was great, pick up good, etc. I got rid of it because of the want for an suv again and it was not as good in snow as old subarus. They blamed the tires, I say if a new car with awd needs better tires then the manufacturer should be ashamed of themself. Dont get me wrong it was ok in snow but not like it should be. Now on to my new equinox. It has been a llittle bull dog in the snow with the awd. So far it has done little to none slipping in the snow, etc. For this I am so very happy up in the north where I like the feel of a sure fitter awd vehicle. So, high ratings for the awd and tires, etc. Nice job gm!. The 4 cly takes a little getting use to, it does whine when pushed but it gets up to speed quicker than you think it is. I notice you feel like its not getting up to speed but then you look at the spped and its at 40 mph quick. The shifting is smooth but between shifts it does like a leg as if engine just died for a half second, but it is something you just have to get use too and it actually is ok when you figure it out. I like keeping it on economy mode it shifts faster than not having it on (so engine whines less) So what I am saying is its nto a race car and engine feels a little diffrent but I am already getting use to it and am thiniing it will be fine. Milleage so far is about 18 mixed dirving which is not good for a 4 banger but it is very cold here and that usually takes down milleage about 4 to 5 mpg. As others have stated there are bling spots but most have them and it is just something you have to adjust to with any new vehicle. The seats are very very comfortable, much more than the subaru. Maybe its the being higher up but I feel they are nice. The electronics and set up are superb. The on star with turn by turn directions is fantastic, so much so I will continure to pay for it after the intrductory offer (some thing else I missed when I had the subaru) I like to have on star its that added saftey feel. They are always nice when I have called and the direction not only talk to you but it displays on the radio or dash board which way to tuen and when-so cool, so advanced!! The information system is awesome fantastic. Tire pressure, mpg, etc. etc. etc. so nice. It also has a compas and outside temp. The standard radio is very nice to me. Sounds nice and the xm radio is wonderful (something subaru did not offer and was 500 plus dollars to have installed into the radio) It is very room inside with nice storage compartments and the middle consel is amazing how deep it goes, it could really fit a small laptop. The heat is very hot and heats up quick I have not put it past 2 setting yet and its been 20 degrees of less here. Like the remote start, and wanted heated seats but was not avaialbe on the 1 lt. Funny thoughI dont miss it yet (sure i would like it) but the seats just feel warmer than the subaru so its ok so far. The seating position is nice and easy to get set up to your liking. Now if it is reliable and good I wil lgive it a 9.5 out of 10. Really wanted to be up high again, got that, wanted good in snow, got that, wanted nice room in side got that, a decent look, got that, good milleage is to be determined. If I had the choice to get this or the subaru again I would hand down get the equinox, subaru was a nice looking great car but I dont want a sedan and my equinox is doing better int he snow, hope this helps some readers

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  Broke Down in Fla - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Broke Down - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Bought New. Have 34K on it now. Broken Down and Stranded 3x. 2x out of town. AC stopped working fixed. Ignition broke so car would not start. Alternator died, 3 weeks prior battery died and had towed to dealer and specifically told them check the alternator they said it was fine, they were wrong. Engine collant leaks no one knows why. Rotars Bad and so are tires. This car is a Lemon!!!!!

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  Best of all worlds - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By wazzy35 - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I was in the market for a new pickup and knew I would have to also buy a canopy to protect the lumber I buy and the furniture I make. I also wanted to be able to provide for more than two passengers. The Avalanche was the answer! It has fulfilled all my needs. My wife, a bit dubious at first, prefers to travel in this vehicle over her new Maxima and tells everyone she cannot believe the comfort driving/riding in the Avalanche.

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  I love my Black Eauniox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jessica - August 12 - 6:16 am

  I was totally against buying a new SUV, but my Dad told me to check out the car on the internet and then make a decison. Well I was really liked the style of the car, it actually look likes the Acura SUV I wanted but could not afford. Well we went over to the dealership I test drove the car and I like this car so much that 4 of my neighbors on my block bought one two

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  PREPARE FOR REPAIRS - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By ALPHAX25 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  This veh drives smooth, when it wants to. From my experience if its not one thing its another. So far Ive probably invested over 2.5k in repairs here and there. If youre buying this vehicle used make sure that the previous owners were kind to it. Any small lack of maintenance will really affect its performance. Ive had problems with the power windows, radiator core, cooling system, a bunch of electrical problems. Its kinda gotten to a point where I expect it to leave me stranded any day now. It was an expensive "in the meantime" car.

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  1993 2 Dr Euro - Bought New - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By hollisam - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Still have it after 10yrs so I must like it. Have aways liked looks and handling. Brakes are terrible. Gotta use parking brake always else cylinders seize (another $400 bucks twice over). Metal pipes in cooling system all rot and leak. $400 for the one at the intake manifold (broke off during repair). Spliced a hose onto the lower one coming out of the radiator. Really dumb engineering. Needed a new computer at 65K. Also trunk leaks and cant find source. Its red and still looks like new. Very comfortable to ride in. Prefer over my Honda Accord to drive.I must like it...I still have it! 17 and 25-30 mpg, not bad for 3.1 v6.

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  its a chevy - 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Michael - August 12 - 2:00 am

  What can I say, its a chevy, my tahoe has served its purpose in a variety of places, its great in the snow, in rain, dry, and stormy conditions, even mud...:) only everyonce and a while, but the only thing gm should have put the engineers to work on were the weak brakes that are meant for a civic or a small piece of crap, but tahoes are very versatile, and capable of whatever you chsoe to throw at it, it can easily conquer them, reliable and good looks.