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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  The future of the Automobile - 2011 Chevrolet Volt
  By jreason - February 8 - 7:18 am

  I have had my Volt for one month and am impressed with this vehicle. It is more refined than I expected. The ride and handling is very good especially for a 3700 lb vehicle. The seats are very comfortable. I like this car so much that I have ordered a second one.

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  This car is a winner, in every way possible. - 2011 Chevrolet Volt
  By jerry150 - February 7 - 10:39 pm

  This car could have been just another ho-hum electric/hybrid, but it isnt that. Instead, it continues to amaze and delight me in how well designed and constructed it is. It has excellent handling, power, and comfort. The sound system, nav system, and integration of bluetooth, USB, and Onstar are probably the best in the industry. The "feel" of the car is of a nimble, high end European sedan, and I would choose this as my daily driver, even if it didnt deliver better economy than any other car, which, by the way, it does, with the possible exception of the Nissan Leaf.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2011 Chevrolet Volt
  By yamahr1 - February 7 - 8:36 pm

  The Volt has debuted to a record number of awards for one new car, but also a lot of controversy. If the car had a Toyota badge on it, even Edmunds would be hailing it as the reinvention of the automobile. But alas, many just wont let their old GM baggage go. I say all this because its been obvious on forums like this that people who likely dont own a Volt are posting intentionally negative reviews to burn it. Like Id be very suspicious of cornell1 here. As such, I wouldnt believe a clearly hostile review unless the person can prove ownership. For me, just go to the Google Picasa photo site and look me up, yamahr1, where youll find pics of me getting my car.

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  Great Small Crossover - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By delvic - February 6 - 6:32 pm

  I originally leased in May 2006. Toward the end of 2008 I started looking around to determine whether I wanted to keep my Equinox or trade it in for something else at the end of the lease. I couldnt find anything at the price with AWD, the size, and features. I have a very stipped down model, one of the few I have seen without tinted windows (I know this is an option on the LS, but most of the LS models I see still have them), but do have the Alloy wheels. I ended up purchasing my Equinox from lease since it was better than anything else I could find. I havent had any major issues and its still running strong! Ive replaced the tires and front breaks and have about 61K miles.

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  Very good vehicle - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By ktflorida - February 6 - 3:39 pm

  I bought a 2011 FWD LTZ Traverse - traded in an 07 Escalade for better MPG and interior design. I love being able to go from cargo hauling to 6 or 7 passengers without picking up 50 lb seats (like I had to in the Escalade). Power is good, LTZ has all the comforts (DVD, heated/cooled seats, bluetooth, ipod integration, etc.). Recently got 22 mpg on a 600 mile trip with 5 passengers and luggage. This is a very good vehicle.

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  Never trust this car! - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By lenoram - February 5 - 4:38 am

  I own a 2002 cavalier. I bought this car with 5k miles. Within 6 months of ownership my starter went out. Thank God for warranty. After my starter was fixed more problems arised. I want to say I bought a used car. Electrical problems, broken trunk, broken sunviser, problems with my headlights, seat belt broken, and other problems under the hood. I HATE this car.

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  Comfort and Reliability! - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By hotshorts - February 4 - 10:10 pm

  This car is honestly the best vehicle I have ever owned. I purchased it in mid-2009 with 52,000 miles on it and it now has 95,000 miles. The only problem I have had thus far was with the instrument panel, but that was fixed under warranty. It has been 100% reliable, always starts, always runs well. I have run full synthetic oil in it since day 1. I have taken this car on several long trips and it is super comfy and has gotten 31 mpg driving at 75 mph. The power is substantial, but I will opt for the 3.8 next time around. Overall this car is hard to beat. Power, comfort, reliability, and great gas mileage for a huge car! A+

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  I liked it - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jequines - February 4 - 1:58 pm

  Had one for 10 years, bought it almost new with 40,000kms. I see other people had nothing but problems, not me drove it till 290,000kms only problems I had were it needed an alternator around 150xxxkms and brakes twice. Doors were starting to rust after 9 yrs and 200xxxkms. Handled fine good power and very comfortable. Was always very reliable for me.

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  Avalanche of Problems - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By kirby28 - February 3 - 9:34 pm

  Bought my "dream truck" in 09 with 5K on it. Pretty much downhill from there. I wouldnt buy another GM product. By 27K I had a vehicle that felt like it was falling apart. The chronic drive shaft issues that have never been addressed by GM continue. Problems wont surface for a few thousand miles then, good luck. Dash problems, handles breaking, pieces literally fall from no where, rattles abound. This one heavy beast that drives heavy and gets poor gas mileage.

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  Transmission Problem - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By upset15 - February 3 - 9:30 pm

  I am very upset that I have an uplander. I have never experienced transmission problems on a vehicle. I have a 10 yr old Toyota and never had to do any major work, just regular maintenance. I was told that my transmission needs to be replaced at $3350 on my uplander. This is garbage. I am still making payments on this car. There is no cost assistance and my warranty is up. What a waist.