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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  First Chevy in a long time - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kazzy54 - August 11 - 2:25 pm

  So far this car has been so much fun to drive. I love everything about it.

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  Transformer - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By dij836 - August 11 - 12:19 pm

  This is my 1st truck purchase and it was the BEST decision I ever made! I LOVE this truck it handles just like a car and I can back into parking spots with ease. This is a perfect car that will last me a until I get a new one.

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  Very Happy, What I expected from a SUV - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Michael - August 10 - 9:24 pm

  I have owned 2 s-10 blazers and 3 Astro Vans. I bought this vehicle sight unseen and not even knowing the vehicle. Called the dealer and they offered me this. WOW! Bigger than what i expected but very nice for a used vehicle. I have a bad back and the lumbar support seats were great for a 270 mile round trip in one day (avg 24 mpg) highway and rural roads. Its an SUV I get the same mpg as I had w/ my earlier SUVs and vans. Would like to have a better clearance over the hood but no powers seats. (previous 5 vehicles had) OnStar is great. 2 days after i bought it, -32 deg wind chill, vehicle had a stuck throttle, hit Onstar and they ran i diagnostic. fixed it w/no garage visit.

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  Dont do it - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Jenn - August 10 - 6:46 pm

  I got this car when I turned 16 as my first car. Ive never hated anything more than this! Truth be told, Ive wrecked it twice but in both the wrecks the air bags DIDNT deploy and onstar didnt come on. Its extremely hard to see long distances at night and when it shifts you feel it. My dad paid $16,200 after ttl and he regret paying more than $10,000. This car is HORRIBLE

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  Numerous Problems - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Greg - August 10 - 3:25 pm

  Had the engine cylinder heads replaced, then the engine was leaking oil had the pump seal replaced and crankshaft seal replaced. SES light coming on and shorted wire replaced. had the cylinder heads replaced again.CD player skipped and the passenger airbag light stayed on and had that fixed. Worst car I have owned.

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  Lots of miles, still rocking - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ryanlong013 - August 10 - 3:23 pm

  I bought this car in December of 2008 with 40,000 miles on it. It was previously a leased vehicle. Everything has been great so far. I had to put a new alternator on it at 80,000 miles. I also had to put new shocks/struts on it at 100,000 miles. Just got the brakes re-done at 103,500 miles (they were still the original brakes). Overall, I have been really lucky with this car. It is great for my close to 50,000 miles of driving annually.

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  Still the One - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Cowtown, PA - August 10 - 12:56 pm

  Continues to impress even as the miles pile up---over 80k at the time of this review---normal maintenance only. Wouldnt consider any other brand of large SUV. Plan to keep it for the long haul.

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  2010 Traverse LT - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Mike - August 10 - 12:39 pm

  Overall I like the vehicle however, Chev lies about MPG. I have the AWD and although I realize it wont be as good as the FWD it isnt anywhere near what its supposed to be. Took it on a trip to NC mostly HGWY driving MPG is a paltry 17.5 a gallon - personally I think thats poor. I will be trading ASAP when financially feasible. Now I know why they are offering 0% financing for so long on this vehicle. If gas mileage is important run from this vehicle.

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  Good Car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Kevin - August 10 - 11:02 am

  I bought with 34K miles and now have 156K. I have replaced wheel bearings at 90K and brakes a few times. Issues I am having now is traction control light on, ABS, Check engine. The security light comes on when I try to start it and it wont let me start for 10-15 minutes. It has never left me stranded and gets 30 mpg. Driver seat has no lumbar support. Heating element in driver seat went out at 55K.

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  The Best I have Experienced in Years - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Terry - August 10 - 6:16 am

  I purchased my Equinox with only 8 miles on it and as of right now there is 82,000+ and every mile has been ridden in comfort and, and I feel style. I keep my Equinox car room shiny, which isnt hard with the beautiful blue metallic paint job. I have traveled from daily back and forth to work (about 30 miles) to 4200 miles without a break and have never (emphasized) had a serious problem. Gas mileage has averaged 18.7 MPG, not the greatest, but other features allows me to overlook it. I set the cruise at the going speed, the surround sound with the MP3 connection, I use for movies for the kids, and off we go. The inside room is great. Full grown me can sit relaxed in the back with front back.