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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  Rusting so soon! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By john - January 28 - 4:36 pm

  I actually love the car , the ride, the, the mileage all fine. But, after a year and 9 months I had to take it into the dealer to have rust repaired on all 5 doors. The rust is in the doors where the seams are. If you look at the seam in the bottom of the doors you can see the rust bubbling under the paint. I took the car in and they sandblasted the door seams and repainted. I know a good deal about cars and I know for certain this car had to be assembled rusty! I dont mean to pile on when GM is down but maybe this is why. I spoke to my neighbor who owns an HHR who was not surprised because his doors had also been repaired for rust! Is GM building Vegas again? Just a word to the wise.

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  Its been great - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Bill - January 28 - 9:15 am

  I bought the Colorado as a demo with 8K miles. The only item I had to replace was an oxygen sensor that I replaced myself for $60. I take very good care of my vehicles and the truck still looks and runs like brand new after 100K miles.

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  Somewhat Disappointed - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Billl - January 27 - 8:40 pm

  It was between the Impala and the Malibu. I picked the Impala because it was bigger and advertised mileage was almost as good. My driving is 90% highway and the best mileage I have gotten after 5000 miles is 24.5 but usually getting around 23, the dealer had the nerve to put a 30mpg sticker on the car. I miss my 2000 Monte Carlo SS that regularly got 27-30 mpg. Feature wise the car is good although they cheaped out on the radio - sounds terrible no matter how I adjust it and I miss the auto darkening rearview mirror on my Monte. The heat/ac controls are terrible, every time I put my hand near it they move - to small and soft to the touch. OnStar is hard to use and people cant hear me.

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  Gas mileage not as advertised - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By 90headednorth - January 27 - 12:16 am

  I have enjoyed my new SS since purchasing it in mid November 05. Pretty much as advertised with only one exception. My only issues is the gas mileage. When buying a V8 one should expect that gas mileage will be less than a 6 cyl auto, but when the manufacturer states 18-28 MPG, you would expect to average inside that range. To date Im averaging about 17.5 per tank in town and 21 or so highway. This represents mileage without A/C or a lead foot at this time. GM would be wise to revise their advertising as I suspect this car will be more in the 16-20 MPG range once I quit babying it.

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  Happy with a few complaints - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Sunburst Orange - January 26 - 9:28 pm

  This truck is absolutely gorgeous, so many compliments, rivals that of my Corvette. As far as mpg not bad for what you are driving. Drives nice but I encourage all buyers to purchase air ride! Makes your $40,000 vehicle ride like a $40K should. This is a big vehicle with lots of blind spots. Get back up camera for sure! Another problem, to lower the mid gate you have to move both front seats up a lot! Not even an option for long trips. Seats arent as comfortable as I would like but maybe its just me. Light in bed should be controlled by tailgate not courtesy lights. I have had a few things that seem like they need replaced but I bought mine used so might just be driven rough. I love it.

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  This is not a family sedan - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By atmandjLS01 - January 25 - 11:13 pm

  I just got this car 4 months ago and already I had to spend $600 replacing the oil pan gasket. Also, the owner before me had to replace a couple parts like the steering rack, as well, which cost him around 2 grand, parts+labor. It drives great, has plenty of power for freeway driving although electrical problems bring it down, like intermittent times where the turning signals dont work. For all its problems, it is still worth buying.

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  What did GMs Cruze Lose? - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By gandalf7719 - January 25 - 12:29 am

  I have been eagerly anticipating the release of GM’s Cruze since it first appeared on the horizon, a compact chocked full of technology forward engineering economy and the first to bring Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) technology to a fuel efficient compact. So imagine my surprise when after negotiating my best deal at my local dealer when my excitement of the vehicle’s capability to run on E85 a fuel produced in America was met with a blank stare. He went on to explain that “FFVs have yellow gas caps, and the Cruze doesn’t.” In simple terms on the way to market the Cruze did lose its FFV capability un-noted in most arenas and media outpourings. So just when it seemed

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  Not a bad deal - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Rebel - January 24 - 10:59 pm

  Ive had my TB for four months now, and Im pretty happy with it. I average 13-15 miles in combined city/highway driving. The car drives ok for a truck, but I feel like the handling is very rubbery (compared to my F150). Its more than OK for normal driving, though. And its spacious enough to handle all my normal cargo for weekend trips and my dog (German Sheppard) has plenty of space in the back. Its a good car, really.

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  Great Little Car (LS/2.2 Automatic) - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Andrew - January 24 - 8:58 pm

  Im a six and a half foot tall guy and my Cobalt has more than ample front seat room for me. Im a teacher and commute 90 miles per day to work, and 400 miles a weekend to my summer job for the past two years and I have had not one single problem with the car. Performance is great for the 2.2 engine as a commuter car. I currently have 73500 miles on the car and only have brought it back to the dealership for regular maintenance. When I keep it at 60-65 MPH on the highway, I regularly get about 425 miles to a tank of gas. In the summers, I drive from the Jersey Shore to Scranton, PA, and back, and still have enough in the tank to drive around town for a couple days. Id recommend to all.

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  Works fine for me - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By George - January 23 - 5:51 pm

  I have a 2014 2WT Double Cab 4x4 truck with the 4.3 engine. Im very pleased with the vehicle. The 2WT package is a great value in my opinion. The truck is very comfortable & surprisingly good on gas. The bluetooth with phone is a but quirky but once I figured out the the system, it works ok. Took it on a 500 mile trip & was a very comfortable ride. For what I paid, Im happy with my purchase