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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  Best Truck in the World - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By ehzzie - February 7 - 5:16 pm

  This vehicle was truly a gem. I have driven it to the east coast and to the west coast and pretty much everywhere inbetween. Never had any huge problems until it got to be over 200,000 miles. Then it started nickel and diming me. I have nothing but good to say about this vehicle. If they still made them I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

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  2012 Equinox exceeds my expectation - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By woodsje09 - February 7 - 12:36 pm

  I am very pleased with everything about the Equinox to this point, I had always been sceptical of crossovers and small SUVs as a taller person. I grew tired of putting $70/week worth of gas in my Expedition, so I decided to give it a chance. At 61 the front seat goes back further than I can have it, not to mention if you do have the front seat all the way back and the rear seat pushed back I can still be comfortable in the back seat. I was hesitant of a 4 cyl SUV, however even living in the mountains the 4 cyl 6 speed in Eco mode does great, I looked down and was doing 80. The features on the suv are amazing too, I am really happy, yes doesnt get 32 mpg but at this point I dont care.

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  Excellent car!!! - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By crazymonk2012 - February 5 - 10:50 pm

  All I can say is the car is fantastic. Okay those of you that read this review. If you ever buy an earlier Impala. Buy one with a 3.8 okay. They have the fewest of problems. My big plus with the vehicle is the reliability! I mean problems I have seen on this forum are probably really picky people. Although if you look at it. My 2005 Impala has always been reliable. Never broken down before ever!! I love this car and recommend that if you buy this car. Buy one with a 3.8. If you buy a newer Impala do not buy the 3.9 engine. Get the one with the 3.6 liter. Hope this helps you all.

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  I was involved in a accident that was not my fault, 25 days after I purchased my vehicle - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By mlwoolum - February 5 - 8:48 pm

  I purchased a 2008 chevy impala, I bought the vehicle on December 20, 2011 and on Jan 14 2012 a guy ran a stop sign and I couldnt stop and I t-boned his truck. My son was in the car. We walked away from the accident, the only thing that happened to me was that the dash hit my knee and it is a little banged up. We were traveling at 55 mph when the other vehicle pulled out in front of us. The other guy didnt walk away he was in critical condition, he was taken to the hospital. For the impact that my car took, and we didnt get hurt. I HIGHLY recommend a impala to anyone. Look at the reviews, i have since then purchased another impala, this is probably the only car I will ever purchase.

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  Best SUV Ever!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By mike1997 - February 5 - 8:32 pm

  Truck now has over 250,000 miles and still running strong. Bought it used in 2005 with about 70,000 miles on it. Only repairs have been to the fuel pump and rear AC. The truck sits up high so it makes you feel safe. The power from thr 5.3 liter Vortec engine is amazing.

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  Best van I have owned - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By odinoakin71 - February 5 - 7:22 pm

  Bought my Venture in 2006 with 88,000 miles. Have had zero issues. Change the oil every 3,000 miles. Van now has 167,000 miles and I drive it everyday.

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  Great car - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By dben300 - February 5 - 7:19 pm

  i bought this car in sept of 2011. I drive about 110 miles a day and now have around 13,000 miles on it with NO complaints. I am mainly highway driving getting around 30mpg. Being 66" it is hard to find a comfortable car but this is by far 1 of the most comfortable that I have ever owned.

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  Not bad. - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By synfulangel - February 4 - 9:18 pm

  I bought this car used with 92k miles on it. Ran great. We had an over heat issue and had to replace top end. After that we have not had a single issue with the motor or the anything else. These cars can not be handled rough dont stomp on the gas at stop light it cant handle that. If you want one to do that get the manual shift and upgrade the entire motor to do so. Love the Gas mileage The car gets 39 miles to the gallon better than any car i have had. It runs perfect now and has over 115k miles on the lower end of the motor.

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  love this car with one huge disappointment - 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
  By midwstguy - February 4 - 9:14 pm

  I love this car - looks, ride, quiet, comfort and I have had absolutely no problems. I currently have 14,000 miles on it and I have had it a year. My major disappointment comes when it comes to milage my overall average mpg on this car since new is 22 mpg overall (yes I have tracked every tank). I never speed and drive very casual and this is the first car EVER that I could not achieve the advertised mpg on. I got rid of a car that would do 27 mpg all day long on the highway and 23-24 city. This car gets under 20 in town and 27-28 hwy. I ask EVERYONE I see and they all say the same thing - anyone on here that says it will do any better does not know how to track milage. 4cyl

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  Just a nightmare - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By krzykowski - February 4 - 9:14 pm

  Where do I start? Bought it with 28K miles in 2006, and sold it for junk last week. Passlock problems, oil in the coolant, gauges that are all over the map. People who seem to know what theyre talking about say the 3.4 engine is the problem...that the other engines are fine. But before dying, my children referred to this car as the Adventuremobile because more often than not a trip in the Impala was an adventure. Stay away from the 3.4 engine!