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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  My New 2011 Tahoe - 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Todd - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Love it! Fun to drive, best looking Tahoe Chevy has ever made. I "was" a Ford guy, but my new Tahoe makes the Expeditions look ugly. I have more power than I need but..I get the kids to grandmas house in a hurry, without a doubt! I bought a black one and it looks awesome. Highly recommend. Runs like a champ, smooth, quiet, all the extras I need. And I bought an ls model! Simply love it!

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  Good first car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Paully - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Not many problems my extended warranty didnt cover, but almost no point in the extended, most repairs under $300. interior quality could be better, i dont like the cheap plastic siding. cheap parts brake (they are usually cheap on any car though-windshield wipers) caps on the wheels keep getting stolen, a/c went a few times, just a wiring issue. rear brakes locked after i went through a car wash (dust and dirt got in, got wet, cemented) drive car after washing to dry out the drums, clean drums to prevent. payed too much is my only real complaint bought 2 years ago it was 9,995 for the 2004. had one issue with clutch, safety button failed couldnt start car, easy fix $80.

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  Family favorite - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Rest in Peace - October 20 - 2:00 am

  I loved my 05 Trailblazer. For an LT model it had everything and drove like a charm. From Florida and drove this truck all the way to Watertown, NY through a blizzard and all and it held up like a gladiator! I had it for four years and had no major problems, expected to keep it forever until involved in a serious hit and run accident where our baby was totaled! At one point I thought we would flip but that truck stayed on all 4s and saved our lives! For the price this is the best of its kind and is worth every penny!

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  Love it, but Im going to change grill - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Roland - October 20 - 2:00 am

  I love the car, only one problem so far and it was a strange one. Seems that a bird hit the front and passed through the large gaps. It then got wedged out of sight. I only noticed something was wrong after a couple of days and garage was stinking. Im looking at getting a modified grill mesh type so I dont have to go through that again. Drove it down pacific coast hwy and it truly was an awesome ride.

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  Will own nothing else - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By EXBCMC - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This is our 4th sub/Tahoe. The best so far, but. The door actuators are a problem with this year sub. All four doors have failed. The steering wheel covering bubbled but was replaced on warranty. The sun visors are bubbling, as well. Bought this vehicle for the snow and so far, so good.

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  Great ride - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By driver - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Very fun to drive--doesnt feel like 5,000 pounds. Towed ATVs through mountain roads smoothly. Quiet. Backup camera a must. In fixing the reluctance to downshift, they went too far and mileage suffers. Getting 15 city and 21 highway despite very moderate driving. Overall, very enjoyable and functional vehicle.

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  Beware of Chevy Customer Service. - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By IMom - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought a beautiful 2010 Chevy Malibu in May 2010. Started having misfiring problems in July. Long story short, I have had it for just 5 months 3 of which it has had issues. 4 times in and out of the dealer to try and get it fixed. Called Chevy Customer service and basically got nothing. They dont help, dont call back or if they do its to repeat what the dealer has already told me. Supposedly its an intermittent problem and they cant fix it unless they can reproduce it even after diagnostics shows misfires. Then they say they will help get me out of the problem and change their mind the next day. Bottom line is no customer satisfaction. Wish I would have kept my Ford Fusion!

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  Fuel Gauge and Instrument Panel Lights - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Robert F Tierney - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Gauge needle all over dial -unknown if or where fuel level is since 2009. Range-Miles left.. does it WORK? unsure why one and not the other - ALSO DASH lightss do not brighten during the day so hard to see gauges but they do work at night?

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  My best investment in a car - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By ofrae - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I think U.S cars have been underrated. Sometimes i get 76 mpg inst. Dont waste money on phony hybrids. Cobalt is the best kept secret in cars. Its very roomy inside, i cant believe its a compact car and plenty of leg room. Its worth every single penny.

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  Great Van! - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Great Van - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Bought this van from a repo auction a year ago. replaced front brakes, and intake gaskets which are normal for this engine. I have put $500 in the van. I have never had any problems with this van! I love it and so do my kids. We love the auto sliding doors and I like the parking aide. I have 170,000 on her and she runs great! Wouldnt hesitate to drive this anywhere. Bought an entertainment center for a big screen home in it.