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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  2010 Equinox LS 4 Cyl. - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By dragonsback - March 11 - 1:30 am

  We have only had our Equinox for a week now but absolutely love it. We traded in a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 and dont miss it at all. The price of the LS is very reasonable and the features you get are really impressive. The inside of this car looks like one of $30+K price-point. Power from the 4 Cyl. is fine, we are not speed demons and notice very little difference from our Jeep V-6 and this, except the Equinox is WAY more efficient. Eco mode and standard is hard to tell any difference, a little more shifting in ECO mode but thats it. Awesome car!

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  Love It! No Regets! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sylvia - March 10 - 11:00 am

  We considered others but felt the Malibus 4cyl test drive was better than the 6cyl on other makes. It is a comfortable, quiet, luxurious drive! Controls are easy to use. I love it that the remote starter also turns on the rear window defroster which is great when you live in Buffalo, NY! I love the free OnStar with hands free calling and GPS access. I wish the mileage was better. I drive more hwy than city and I only get 20 mpg overall. I wish the cupholders were more convenient to use and there was a better place for my purse when I have a passenger. Ive only had it for 2 months, but I think its going to be hard for me to ever have to give it up!

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  Z85 I-4 auto - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By sonny - March 10 - 2:20 am

  This truck so far has exceeded my expectations. I love the ride, fuel economy and excelent shifting auto transmission. First tank of gas from the dealer I got 24.1 mpg. I wasnt even driving it in a way to get good mileage since it was being broke in. I should be able to easily get 26+ mpg after the break in period.

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  i am happy so far - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By mark foster - March 7 - 10:00 am

  i only have about 900 miles so far,however i am happy with the performance,ride and gas millage.this car was purchased to save fuel,so far it is doing the job.i parked a 5.6L binz for this. at first i felt that i would be dissappointed with performance,not so,i hope the service and duriability will be as positive.because my past experiance with chevy service was extremely disapointing,but that was in 1970, i quit buying chevy after that time until now.soheres hopeing...

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  Nothing Compares - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mebeappy - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 2000 Silverado new. It is my second truck (1998 1st one). I have 4 boys, with the oldest being 65" and another son is 6, 220 lbs. Neither of them could fit in the back seat of the 98, but my 2000 has enough leg room for both to be comfortable in the back. Rides as well or better than a car, and with the PSI rear end, I can go just about anywhere!! I have had minimal problems (ie power window quit) and highway mileage is around 18. I also pull horse trailer, and you dont even know its back there. When I get rid of this one, it will be replaced by another Silverado. Chevy has sold me for life!!

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  GREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAT except for gas - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By dustin loves thiscar - March 7 - 10:00 am

  we love the very much and are looking to buy another!!! GREAT JOB!!!

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  Its so much fun! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By DavidCrumley - March 7 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is so much fun! It is roomy like an SUV, but drives like a car! It gets great gas mileage, and is so sporty!

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  HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Kurt - March 7 - 3:43 am

  Bad placement of the window switches. You cant put the rear seats down unless you remove the head rest first or put the front seat all the way forward. Then you cant get in the car and drive it. The rear view mirror placement is too low in the windshield creating a large blind spot.

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  Love that Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Janna - March 7 - 3:16 am

  I have been driving a van for the past 20 years. The Equinox is so superior to all of them. Easy to handle and VERY quiet....I can finally enjoy my music while driving. A great choice for families (the baby seat fits in so easily when I pick up my grandson). And I love that the front seat folds down flat to allow for long items (such as a tree from the nursery) to be carried home.

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  Finest Full Size SUV Ever! - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Matt Cobos - March 7 - 2:20 am

  Wow! The 2007 Tahoe is one fantastic vehicle! I owned a 2003 that I traded in for the new model. Fit and finish of this one is superb, nicer interior, front end looks way better than the Yukon. Steering and braking is more responsive, interior is the quietest at freeway speed, better fuel economy and flex-fuel capable to boot! Side curtain aribags for all three rows of passengers, stabilitrak with roll-over avoidance, OnStar, and the best brakes in the segment make it one safe vehicle (5 Star frontal crash test rated, anticipated 5 star all around!). Flat towable and low maintanence! A host of options generally found only in European luxury sedans let you own the finest SUV out there today!