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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  2003 Malibu LS - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Seahrse - February 12 - 2:00 am

  My car has been in the shop three times in six weeks for three different mechanical problems. My enjoyment of the vehicle has been replaced with trepidation. Every time I drive it I wait to see what goes wrong.

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  Fun stuff! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Seoulgirl7 - February 11 - 8:03 am

  It seems like time stops when im in my Cobalt SS/SC. It handles great, and I love the interior, all the options, and what the factory offers for me for aftermarket. Really a lot of car for the price! Just writing this makes me want to go out to the back roads again:)

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  decisions... decisions... - 2014 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Cheryl G. - February 11 - 5:27 am

  I bought this car used, in early aug. 2016. Its the ltz model with awd v6. All the rating of 4 stars would be 4 plus. So far I am very happy with equinox. I have not had any problems, it drives and rides nice. Also on the ltz model at least there are rear air ducts under the front seats.I think you should drive the 4 and the 6cyl engine before making your decision tho.

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  1998 ZR2 - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By ZR2TRUCK - February 11 - 2:00 am

  Truck does very well in snow when using 4x4. Does well off road except that it does not like to make sharp turns. However, that is expected with extended cab trucks. V6 engine has plenty of power. I had to replace the powersteering pump at 35,000 miles and the ball joints at 50,000. Good design overall, just wish that it was built better. My seat adjustors are broke, the handle to my 3rd door is broke. Fender flares are ate up and I only have 54,000 miles on the truck.

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  happy to sad in 5 mins. - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By once happy - February 11 - 2:00 am

  This was what I thought was a great car. Only owned for 1 year and had NO problems other than break repair and ABS sensor. But.... all of a sudden knocking... rod, need new engine, intake gasket leaking, all bad news... 5000 to repair or trade. Three weeks ago I would have bought another... today it would be difficult to get me into the chevy dealership...going back to the Taurus! The Malibu was "FUN" while it lasted!

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  Balzers are awful - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By trkguy - February 11 - 2:00 am

  There is something wrong with the design of this vehicle. There absolutely should have been a recall for the front end of this car. I have replaced the ball joint on both front wheels twice on this car in 4 years. Now I have also had to replace both wheel bearings as well. I will never buy another Chevy SUV again.

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  No luck with cars - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Tanya_g83 - February 11 - 2:00 am

  I have had my car less than a year and I put all 18K miles on it and I have a wiring problem with my car. My cruise shuts off when i put on my turning signal. My CD player had a defect and I got burned when I took my CDs out and my rear turning signals wires were eroded. My drivers door doesnt shut all the way unless you slam it. My heat vent fell out when I was driving down the road and the gears to change the heater settings are stripped.

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  Great Vehicle - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Garnern - February 11 - 2:00 am

  At 64 years old I have had many cars including Cadillacs. This Tahoe is by far my favorite vehicle ever! It is very comfortable to drive and ride in the heated seats, seat memory, handling are great.

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  Sweet car - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By pooch1 - February 11 - 2:00 am

  If you want an affordable American car with huge amounts of bang for the buck then look no further. This car will beat anyting under $100,000 by seconds around a race track. Poor Vipers.....very fast in 1/4 mile, but poor brakes and handling hurt overall performance. If you want German or Italian performance without the price then her you go.

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  2010 LTZ AWD - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By irwin2842 - February 10 - 6:50 pm

  Love the cockpit feel while driving this car. Also the blue tooth is awesome. I am getting used to all the new buttons but very similar to my Acadia just smaller but drives and rides like a dream. Excellent service from my dealer and priced very well. Who could ask for more? Way to go Chevy :)