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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  Good fueleconomy truck!! - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By BJ - June 14 - 12:07 am

  If you are looking for a great-good truck, this is it. Runs good looks good and I get 24.87 miles per gal. Driving 60 mph. with the A/C on.

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  Great for a big Family - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Stevosps - June 12 - 9:54 pm

  We looked at other SUVs but in the end the Suburban is the best choise for our family of 7. The comfort of the interior is by far the best in its class. Altough you have to get a third row 3 passanger seat upgrade to get full passanger capacity. The ride is smooth and quiet. It handles great with turns and braking. I noticed the braking time is much better on this model. I would recomend this suv to anyone looking for comfort and room. It also has the largest cargo area. And is great for moving and 4x8 material, as well as any other home improvement materials. Its the all in one truck at a good price!

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  Half way there - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By marcus - June 12 - 1:21 pm

  Sharp car in design, but not in comfort. Very noisy inside, interior materails do not hold up to use. Driver leather replaced twice. Tire wear abysmal, replaced all at 30k. Im not a hot rodder. This is my 8th Corvette. Great gas mileage. Year round driver, not too bad in snow.

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  32 MPG ?? - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By parfa - June 12 - 3:40 am

  What can I say? Its a great car but I cant understand how it can be rated 22- 32 MPG?? Ive yet to average 22 MPG on a 200mi road trip not to mention in town. I feel duped!!!

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  1500 LS 5.3 V8 - 2006 Chevrolet Suburban
  By rsm8 - June 11 - 9:48 pm

  We purchased used from a dealer with 19,000 miles. We traded in our 03 Sequoia because we needed the additional seating and cargo room. Mechanically the car has been very good. My only complaint would be the alignment seems to need adjustment about every six months (we had it done in Dec and again in June). I rated the build quality at a 7 because I think the interior is very cheaply made. After owning a Toyota, it is very apparent to us how flimsy the plastic accessories are. All four of the plastic covers at the base of the seats are in need of replacement. Overall we like the interior space and seating. It also drives nicely, but GM is lucky Toyota doesnt build a bigger Sequoia.

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  Quick and Agile - 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By WAStateChevy - June 11 - 4:31 pm

  This car with the 3.1 V6 is very fun to drive. Munce transmission is very durable and responsive. The sound is great from the 3.1. I drove the heck out of it and I love it more than any car I have owned even though it is the oldest car I own.

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  Bought for hr, want for me! - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Sam - June 11 - 12:31 pm

  I must say that even though I purchased this car for my wife, I really want it for myself. I drive it any chance I get. It is actually quite sporty in both the design and handling. Very little came with the car, in terms of features but it is worth it! I have pretty decent credit and although I may not have gotten the best rate out there, I still feel like my payment is nothing. Most importantly, it is a safe, car with side airbags standard, and has a great crash rating (hope we never have proof of that!)

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  Needs better mileage - 2001 Chevrolet Tracker
  By lou - June 11 - 7:51 am

  Live in Michigan and commute 30 miles one way to work everyday. I cannot complain about my little SUV. I have had to replace an engine at about 80,000 miles, but even with a hole in the engine, my little SUV did not leave me stranded. It kept plugging along. Im not real pleased with the gas mileage. I have to keep it above half a tank or it drinks the gas down something terrible, but then it does have 96,000 miles on it.

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  Nervous about my engine - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By jamie - June 10 - 8:13 am

  I bought this vehicle for my wife. It fits the bill for decent fuel mileage, comfort, style, and cargo capacity. Im disappointed in the fact that the engine has already been in the shop for a "top end cleaning". It began to spark knock at about 3,000 miles with the A/C on and at 4,000 miles, GM instructed dealer to clean the top end and tell me to use only top tier fuels. The cleaning of the top end seems to have fixed the knock, but I find it hard to believe average gasoline would leave enough deposits behind in so few miles to warrant a top end cleaning. I feel this saga is just beginning. Will followup on this issue as time goes on.

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  Reliable Chevy - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By chris1604 - June 9 - 11:13 am

  Ive had this car a little over a year and the only major problem I had was the cooling system. Only 2 radiator hoses were needed and that fixed the problem. Ive been having a lot of trouble with the starter. Brought it to my mechanic after I had a fresh oil and filter change and when I hot the car to him, the starter was fine! Funny how after I replaced my air filter and the oil was changed, the starter problem actually cured itself! He said if it acts up again, hell install a rebuilt one at no charge to me! The key turns every time and this I will never understand! Lets see how long until the problem occurs again!! Its a pleasure driving this car and the ride is very smooth.