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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  Great Car - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By Marco - June 9 - 4:20 am

  I was in the market for a large SUV. So why not decrease my carbon exposure and increase some fuel saving. I avg. 21.3 city driving and almost 24 highway. The hybrid technology has changed the way I drive in that I am not as aggressive a driver as I once was; saving much more on fuel economy. I totally recommend hybrids. Great purchase even though people think a large SUV Hybrid is an oxymoron.

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  Money pit - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By SteveNY - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car for almost 3 years. Ive replaced the struts, front and back, the strut mounts front and back (twice within 14 months for the back), the front wheel bearings, and Ive had times that the car wont start because the spark plugs got a little dirty. (I wind up having to replace the plugs every six months or so). Along with the other little stupid things Ive had happen, if I didnt do all the work myself, I cant imagine how much it would have cost me. Im so ready to get rid of this piece of junk.

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  great car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By daddysgmgirl - June 8 - 10:00 am

  Great car! Ive had my Aveo for a little over a month, and it replaced a 12 year old Lumina I had. Its great, in city and on the highway. Good mileage. Only problem I have is my keyless remote entry broke (ironically on the day I mailed my first payment), so have to go to dealership. Bought it because moving and 60/40 split seats will be great!

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  2004 MALIBU VIEW - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By DE-ICER - June 8 - 10:00 am

  COMFORTABLE CAR FOR ME TO DRIVE TO WORK, 35 MILES ONE WAY. PLENTY OF POWER TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. QUIET CABIN FOR A CAR PRICED UNDER $20,000, MANY STANDARD FEATURES FOR THE PRICE TOO. MY FUEL USE HAS BEEN GOOD, 34 MPG WITH AC ON. THE DEALER HAD TO TURN THE FRONT ROTORS AT 3000 MILES DUE TO A VIBRATION IN THE BRAKES.

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  Nice Job Chevy!! - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Cellaman - June 8 - 10:00 am

  First to Clarify, I have a z85 ext cab automatic 4X4 with 3500 vortec. This truck is terriffic! It runs great:Power(not as torquey as the old 4.3 but power throughout the RPM range is much better) And it rides like a car. Most comfortable, best handling truck I have ever been in. Besides loaded Silverado. I took this truck for the 24hr test drive and liked it so much I bought the demo.The stereo with XM is great. People bust in the interior as being bland and cheap..Come on , its a truck and the controls and instrument layout is cool and functional. Tacoma same overall look to inside but much coller outside.

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  Transmission/electronics problems - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By casskal - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought a 2003 EXT model. Loved the ride, but did have problems with the electronics. 4WD and washer systems had to be replaced. Still, went back and bought an 04 model. PROBLEMS! Been in 4 times with 4WD electronics problems, plus have had it fail off road. No fun being stuck in the dirt with only 2WD in this large a vehicle. Car being returned under the lemon law.

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  Chevrolet has a winner!! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By CV - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I just got my Equinox and I couldnt be happier. This vehicle is SHARP. Kudos to the designers on this one. Mine is the AWD model with every available option. Everything inside is right where you would expect it (with the exception of the heated seat control). Its got a lot of pep and fun to drive. I dont know why edmunds says the radio controls are difficult. They couldnt be easier to use. It also has lots of cargo room and leg room for second seat passengers. The doors open up wide, to accommodate large items or handicapped passengers. For the money, its the best small utility vehicle available today!

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  No Problems - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By beafreak - June 8 - 2:00 am

  The only problem that I have had is the seat back adjuster handles have both broken off. This is a common problem with this truck(there is a technical service bulletin on this). Ive got as high as 27mpg on a 700 mile trip and average about 20. The 2.2L is no powerhouse but it gets the job done. I would surely buy another.

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  serves its purpose - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By cologal - June 8 - 2:00 am

  After driving this mini-van for 4 years, my main complaints are the brakes end up squeaking after only a few months, and the rear window washer is a joke.The sprayer should be mounted on the wiper.The gas mileage on this van is fantastic. It is great on long trips with the kids, and our model seats 8 which has come in handy. It is beginning to show its age, with squeaks and rattles and other noises, but that is typical of a well-used vehicle. Resale value is horrible, and I will have trouble when trading it in since dealers dont want to give much for it. For the busy family that prefers to drive instead of fly, this is the mini-van to do it in.

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  pimped vehicle - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Travis7 - June 8 - 2:00 am

  I have had a good time driving this vehicle and it has been very fun and reliable