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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  A Disaster in Navy Blue - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By emily207 - April 23 - 7:01 am

  Never in my life have I had such an experience with a car. I traded a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire for my 2008 Cobalt, and within months, wanted the Sunfire back. The major issue I had with this car was the lock cylinder. Eventually, I had to have the car towed out of my garage because the key simply wouldnt turn in the ignition. It sat in the shop for a month. I got it back in the middle of January, was rear-ended two days later, and got stranded in a parking lot three days after that when the key wouldnt turn AGAIN. I was completely fed up with the Chevrolet experience and traded it for a 2006 Jetta. I think a person is supposed to be sad to see a car go, but I was HAPPY.

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  great truck - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Tommy - April 23 - 6:12 am

  Bought the Suburban used in 03 and it has been very reliable, safe, and comfortable. Only now that I have 140K is the truck showing its age. Most annoying problems are with power door locks, fuel injectors, weak brakes and some plastic interior trim. The tranny seal now leaks. For all that I do with the truck, it is well worth trying to find or hold onto one.

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  SS is a GREAT BANG for the BUCK!!! - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By camaroguy - April 23 - 2:08 am

  I live in Arizona also and my SS doesnt have any issues with the A/C...you should go get it checked out..I also have a new camaro in which this is my daily car and its great power even stock, very comfortable and smooth ride to drive even on nice long trips that I take to cali, the A/C blasts Ice cold to where I have to turn it off it gets too cold, and overall for the price of the car and with the warranty the cars a steal if you can get your hands on a SS...Ive never been happier with any of my everyday cars as I am with this one

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  2009 Chevy Cobalt LT - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Thomas - April 22 - 10:55 pm

  I got this car to replace my 02 VW Passat because it was starting to cost me anywhere from $1000 to $2000 every other month in repairs. The Cobalt reminds me of a cross between Toyota Corolla and a Toyota Yaris without the dorky exterior of a Yaris. It drives fairly well and has zero blind spots.

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  Great Little Truck - 2010 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Diane - April 22 - 8:00 pm

  I loved my 05 Colorado so much I bought a 2010. It is a great little truck. Though the automatic "bogs down" if you tromp on the gas peddle too hard too fast(something that did not happen with the manual transmission in the 05), the performance is good, gas mileage is good, and the truck is very comfortable to drive. The interior is roomy even though it is not an extended cab. It is a basic truck that meets my hauling needs without the expensive bells and whistles, and I recommend the Colorado to anyone needing a smaller pickup that does the job.

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  RUN AWAY FAST-FASTER!!! - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By RUN AWAY FAST!!! - April 22 - 7:36 pm

  Well, Im writing agian to tell more. As of today the van has been in 11 times. We have dealt with anthing from a shotty cupholder that has been replaced over and over to tie rods. Today as I speak its in the shop because it died on me (funny, it was in the dealerships parking lot), the steering wheel vibrates when brakes are applied and when I start it the ignition keeps turning and turning. It might take 4 times to start it or just 2, I never know. GMC wants to give us...are you ready for this.... 2,000.00 to go toward a BRAND NEW car. The dealership will take it as a trade in to sell us another. It doesnt fall under the Lemon Law because the same problem doesnt keep occuring. HELP?

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  Fun Car - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Natey - April 22 - 3:57 pm

  I had the z28 auto, i got the car with 40000 miles on it, really fast car just stock, stereo in it was really good, car ran great up to around 50000 with no problems, then i started to mod it, cam headers, touque converter, and on and on, then it started to have problems, trans went on me soon after, the rear gears, bad break vibrations, the after about 10000 the brand new trans started going, and coolant started boiling after normal every day driving so i sold it, great cars until you mess with them then they mess with you back

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  01 Impala - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By RD - April 22 - 1:49 pm

  Bought this car new, now have 128K. Been a great car, lot of room interior and trunk. At 64K intake gasket $700, nothing else though. 32 MPG highway every time. Better then our mini SUV! 2X the room and ride! Mantiance is the key. Has the bumping in steering box since 70K but no issues. Looking for a new one!

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  great value for little car. - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By tnt - April 22 - 1:29 pm

  When my wife first got it i called it a clown car becouse its looks so small, but its peppy and fun to drive. way more comfortable than you would think and the back seats are more comfortable than the other baby cars on the market. we tested most of them,exept the ford dont know why.could get better milage. bring back the geo metro.

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  Love this car! - 2000 Chevrolet Metro
  By cairishguy - April 22 - 1:59 am

  Bought this car new and have been driving for 10 years. This is the most trouble free car I have ever owned. The only thing that has failed on this car has been the a/c compressor at 80k miles. That is using the a/c every day summer and winter since I bought it. Ive done regular maintenance and this thing just drives forever. I get 45 mpg and the insurance is really low. Ive got 124,000 miles and still runs great!