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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  I love my Equinox! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mommy2 TPG - August 21 - 8:39 am

  I previously owned a Ford Focus. I had searched for 2 years for a larger but good on gas vehicle. I looked at the Mazda 5 and the Nissan Rouge. The Chevy was the best deal and the most comfortable. I do wish they would be a bit more honest about the MPG on the 4cyl. I drive about 50 miles one way to work and only 5 miles is city. I average 26-28mpg. Which is great, but i expected a little better. I do live in the mountains, But I travel I-81 and set cruise at about 72. On our last trip down to the beach we got 30mpg going (with eco ON) and 18 while there in traffic (with eco OFF) and 25 coming back home (eco ON). ECO causes loss of power but not enough for it to be a big deal for me.

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  Pros and Cons at 50,000 miles - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Tim in Wisconsin - August 21 - 8:14 am

  1st, everyone is complaining about oil leaks. I can drive mine from WI to AR 850 miles in one day, and not be down a drop. I can drive mine to work and back, etc, and be down a qt at 5K miles. I believe that when there is no compression in the cylinders when I am in V-4 mode some trace amounts must be getting past the rings. No oil in tail pipe though, and pass emissions with flying colors. 2nd, my #3 cylinder had a hydraulic lifter collapse. I have the 327. This is what happens when major manufacturers subcontract their work. Dealer took care of it a-ok. No problems since. Third, every snow my "service 4WD" light comes on. Always goes out after night in garage. 18mpg at 60 mph, 16 at 70

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  One yr of experience - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Cat - August 20 - 11:58 pm

  Bought my 2010 equinox LT 6 cyl a year ago. Drove it 20000 miles. Love the speed of pick up. Pretty smooth ride. interior does not give me as much room as I would like. I am coming off a 1997 GMC jimmy also a 6 cyl.I was alarmed when I took it in for an alignment and discovered there were no Cams. They needed to be added. Love it on road trips. That is when you see the fuel savings.

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  What gas mileage? - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Susan - August 20 - 11:58 pm

  I bought my car in 2006, new off the lot. I didnt like the skimpy tires, so had new ones put on with more grip. The air conditioner flaps always shut down from day 1. Drink holder is a joke. Too small and over the ashtray and junk holder. Seats are too narrow and edges curve inward on my husbands shoulders..causes pain for him to ride in it. Gas mileage BOMBED after a few years,lost pick up and tends to jerk slightly when accelerating. Body does get small dents and scratches easily, even after the 200$ extra coating they sold me for the paint job. Clutch now seems to be not engaging smoothly or wearing out. Needs alignment often. 30k miles on it so far.

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  Good little car! - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Nicolek - August 20 - 10:06 pm

  I have had this car for 6 years now and I just loved it. I had to replace starter, alternator, battery 2x, struts, and other basic repairs most of which were under warranty at the time. The engine started to burn oil a little over a year ago, but Ive never had any major problems. Its got some get up and go and has been pretty reliable. It has 177k on it and now its showing signs of expensive repairs to come. It wears brakes and rotors pretty bad, and now needs new shocks in the rear, and just replaced another strut. It was really great in the beginning, but with age comes problems. Not a bad car for a young person and they are fairly inexpensive.

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  Great car - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By malibu - August 20 - 9:01 pm

  I recently bought this car used, and i was delightfully surprised with it, if you want to, this car can really take off! the seats are nice, the upholstery is great, and there is nothing about this car that irks me at all

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  My Chevy Tahoe - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By me2uguys - August 20 - 3:39 pm

  Purchased in 2004 from original owner. No major repairs until 2006, new alternator. 2009 New Intake Gasket. This truck had 87K miles when I purchased it. It now has 275K miles and shes still driving like she did when I bought it. I am now in the process of new shocks, but its done its job and more since I first bought it six years ago! Great, safe SUV, lots of room and I have towed horses with my truck and it still is doing fine. Highly recommended.

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  More Pros than Cons - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jack C. - August 20 - 3:26 pm

  I have about 3000 miles on my AWD, 4 cy Equinox. I love the look, design and sturdiness. Black Granite metallic paint is beautiful. Two tone leather seats equally nice to look at and touch. MPG averages about 20 with mostly in city and freeway driving. 18 inch wheels make roads bumps less severe. I enjoy the quiet ride. The steering is blah, but it is not a sports car. It is a crossover SUV. Car like, but not impressive for handling. Turning radius seems large. Door lock switch should be on doors. Cargo area will not hold golf club set straight across. Fit and finish are impressive. Seats are comfortable and body hugging in front. I would recommend this vehicle to friends. More +s.

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  Dont leave your Chevy unattended - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Iceman - August 20 - 8:44 am

  From the second month the windows go down on their own and the car unlocks by itself. Had to shovel snow out of car a few times and cannot go shopping to more than one store at a time due to windows going down and car being unlocked. Johnson Bros service dept inept and did not have a clue. Second time in service mngr said it was built into the key to do that. Very annoying, I would not recommend anyone to buy a Chevy Equinox and have been successful in having many friends buy other brands than Chevy. In winter the insides of door lets in unwanted dirt and mud. Very bad engineering design.

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  Dont Buy This Car - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jessica - August 19 - 11:20 pm

  I bought this car and about 4 months after I purchased it I had to replace the motor, because a piston broke. Then not even a year after that the head gasket started leaking. Ive also had about 8 other mechanical problems in less than 2 years, including a new water pump and a new power steering line. I was going to get the gasket fixed but it runs so bad its not even worth it. I paid $3200 for it and have to junk it for $250 not even 2 years later.