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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  What a waste!! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By drum121181 - August 30 - 11:26 am

  I bought this vehicle in Feb. Ran great for 5 months. In the last month Ive spent $1850 on repairs!! Accelerator pedal position sensor, the computer, and the thermostat. All one week after the other. Now its been stalling on me for the past week. The shop cant seem to find anything wrong with it, but they want to to actually stall on them so they can see whats wrong with it. It cranks back up after it stalls. The radio also screws up, but it was replaced by previous owner. I def got a crappy deal out of this one. I like the size since Im a musician. But overall....I should have gotten the Pathfinder!!

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  MPG Overstated - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By macysmom9 - August 30 - 11:01 am

  First of all, let me say that I love my Eqinox on all levels except for the MPG. You would have to be going down hill, 45 miles per hour with your foot off of the gas pedal to get 32 MPG, as advertised. I have owned this Equinox for 4 months. I drive at least 80% highway miles and always go the speed limit. I have never gotten better than 25.6 MPG, the average is 22.3 MPG. I bought the 4 cylinder model thinking that the gas mileage would be better. Honestly I should have kept my Tahoe. If you are looking for a car that gets good gas mileage....look at something other than an Equinox. I seriously think the EPA needs to evaluate this vehicle again and post the true MPG.

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  Car is a BEAST - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By hermanson - August 29 - 7:24 pm

  My family bought this car was bought 8 years ago with it having 88k miles on it. Everyone in my family has driven it and recently it was handed down from my brother to me and ive had it for about 6 months. The car has about 227k miles on it and still runs strong. one word to describe this car, RELIABLE! car is worth its price and more.

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  BUYER Beware - 2010 Chevrolet Aveo
  By display3 - August 29 - 5:10 pm

  I bought a 2010 Chevy Aveo based due to the fact it was made by Chevy and I wanted a reliable little vehicle that was good on gas. The vehicle rides rough and has no horsepower. It is not good on gas 27 MPH but the worst part about it is that AVEO is not made by Chevy or in the USA. My car has been in the shop for over 20 days due to the fact Chevy can not locate a compressor and can not tell me when they will be able to get the part. I am currently in a rental thanks to the warranty. I have filed a complaint. If it is this hard to get a part when it is only 1 yr old how had will it be able to fix in 2 or 3 years. I am very disapointed. I suggest pay a little more and get a reliable car.

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  noisy engine - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By dissatisfied11 - August 29 - 11:02 am

  my 2011 equinox obviously has an internal engine problem, this noisy engine history dates back to the early 2010"s and GM has first-hand knowledge because of all the complaints, and there is probably thousands. However, GM refuses to step-up and stand behind their warranty. I have engaged an attorney to resolve the matter. Therefore, I strongly suggest that any one in the market for a cross-over SUV to NOT PURCHASE the 4 cyl engine. It is TERRIBLE!!!!

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  Really put out with Chevy and my Impala - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By bigfig59 - August 29 - 12:00 am

  My 2007 Chevy Impala seems to be hesitating to take off when i stop at a stop sign or back out of the drive way or take off from anywhere. I push on the gas then the car lunges and sometimes even hard enough to squeal the tires. I have reported this to my local GM dealer and had them hook it up to the computer but it supposedly showed nothing. They kept it overnight and tried driving it in the morning but said it did not do it for them...?? So they cleaned something to do with the fueil filter system and then the car seemed to idle really high i could literally idel down the street without ever pressing on the gas at a pretty good clip. NOW....in the last few day (3 times) my car

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  Poor Quality Build - Nightmare Experience - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By bosnol - August 28 - 11:03 pm

  Awful build quality - it is too bad since the Astro fits a perfect niche for families with diverse outdoor interests. They made this vehicle out of trash - and it did not help with the dealer contesting every warranty claim. The extended warranty saved us $10k in unexpected, chronic breakdowns. Security Chevrolet in Vista, California, now out of business was the nightmare dealer.

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  Have to say what a Great CAR! - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By joespilk - August 28 - 9:28 pm

  Purchased a new 2012 Chevy Cruze Eco one week ago. Very impressed so far with build quality, performance and ride comfort. I am completely blown away by the fuel economy. Drove home from the dealership with 6 miles on it. Not even close to broken in, I got 44.6 mpg on the hwy. Now I am up to 400 miles on already and have achieved 48 mpg on the hwy 36-38 mpg in the city. I do not baby this car, it doesnt want you too, takes off like a shot when the turbo kicks in. I cruise between 68 and 72 mph with these numbers. Did get the upgraded sound system 250 watt pioneer, great sound and the conveince package with electric drivers seat and bluetooth. Rides like a much larger car. Very comfortable

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  Eqinox is a Lemon - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By hogfanfu - August 28 - 8:18 am

  A week after purchase I drove the car from MO to FL. The car performed as expected and I averaged over 25 MPG or > 475 miles per tank. At 3000 miles I devloped a knock in the engine. I took it to dealership where they ordered and installed a brand new engine (2 weeks in shop). Since then, Im averaging 16 MPG or < 300 miles per tank. Rattling has also developed in the dash and driving me crazy. I have taken to the dealership twice and they say everything is normal. I strongly disagree! I now have 6500 miles on my lemo and plan to file a lasuit if something is not done soon.

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  Equinox a winner for Chevrolet - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By chevyfan4 - August 27 - 2:55 pm

  I cant help writing about the Equinox since I believe that it is heads and shoulders above the normal Chevy that I have had in the past. There seems to be a lot of dissatisfaction with the gas milage on the 4 cyl, however, I believe that its right on. My highway milage has been 31/33 mpg consistantly, summer or winter. When I say highway I mean just highway. Not going from my home to the highway and not including the ramp, just plain highway at speeds of 65 to 70 mph. Im sure that if I were to travel at 55 it would be even better. When these cars are rated I can assure you that they are put on a track in good weather with no other vehicles around and once up to speed are checked.