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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  Trouble from the word go! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Britt - March 28 - 10:05 am

  I bought my Malibu brand new in 2008 and owned it for 2 years before it caught fire stemming from the catalytic converter. The car first had a valve in the transmission not opening and closing. Then the catalytic converter and entire exhaust system went out. The door lock motor went out. My car went through 3 catalytic converters which were replaced by the dealership and 3 days after the last replacement the car caught fire and burned to the ground. I would not suggest this car to anyone. Beauty only goes so far! If you do purchase this vehicle please buy GAP insurance through your dealership!

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  Cobalt - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By RickD - March 27 - 5:16 pm

  Best quality of this car is its QUIET. Nice riding car with lots of power.

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  Fast reliable economy car - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Ryan07SS - March 26 - 11:54 am

  Bought this car from the dealership brand new. I added the stage 2 kit and the gmmp exhaust which all was under warranty. I have ran the car hard and to this day have had no problems with it. It gets 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. This is the best car Ive every own the so much fun to drive.

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  2200 SFI - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By 2200sfi - March 25 - 9:51 pm

  I have a 2002 Cavalier Base Sedan it has the 2.2 liter ohv engine. I love the low end torque rather have ohv than the dohc. I got it June of 07 it is my first car it had 52k when I bought it now has 110k today is march 25 of 2010. I average 34 mpg. Only thing was is this past Christmas the fuel pump died other than that it is perfect. I have modified it a bit I installed a flowmaster delta 40 muffler and converted the stock intake into a cold air intake which has helped economy and performance plus the muffler gives the car a good sound. I will own it till it dies which looks like a long time.

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  So far so good - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mark - March 25 - 1:13 pm

  Its easy to change the oil, which was impossible on my wifes GEO Prism. I have taken it on several 2000 mile fishing trips to Canada, Minnesota - its easy to load, easy to drive, visibility and clearance like a pick up truck but has better speed. Disappointing gas mileage. For some reason, Ive had to replace several headlamps. Currently one is clearly full of condensation and will probably fail soon. Id get another, if newer models can get better gas mileage.

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By GCS - March 25 - 1:12 pm

  Love it! Have the basic LS model which is pretty much loaded. Only extra cost options are the trailer tow package and block heater. Bought it new and specifically wanted the 3.42 rear end gears and happy we did - Get great MPG for this size vehicle. Up to 21 MPG on the highway. (Thats actual calculated mileage - the trip computer is usually optimistic by a .5 MPG. I found with E-85 the mileage is about 20% less - so look for 20% less pricing on E-85 to make it worthwhile. It does well towing a camper and has lots of room for passengers and luggage. A great vacation/trip vehicle - smooth quiet ride with comfortable seats. Only repair was to fix a clunk in the steering. Very reliable.

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  good car - 2000 Chevrolet Lumina
  By DEE, ar - March 25 - 10:58 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. I have over 135,000 miles on it and it still drives like a dream. I have only done routine maintenance. I did have to get the intake manifold done and the brakes plus get new tires. Now I am told it needs rack and pinion but the car has performed over 8 years for me and I think the repairs are worth it. Love my car. P.S., the check engine lights comes on and off but this hasnt shown a problem

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  Bought a Lemon - 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By meachamd - March 25 - 10:24 am

  I believe I bought a Tahoe that was built on a Friday (or maybe Monday depending how you look at it). I purchase it Feb 13, 2010 and it immediately had a vibration that would drive you crazy. Very uncomfortable to drive/ride in. Not sure what is causing the problem. Dealer has had it more then me. Wish I had gone to Nissan and brought another Pathfinder.

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  When does it end - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Disgruntled - March 25 - 9:04 am

  The Impala is not fit because it has too many problems. It is good on gas and the ride is alright on the highway for long trips but. Not recognizing the key therefore the car wont start and having to the wait for the computer to shut down 12-15 mins is not right. Approx $1100 to fix, then intake manifold gasket leaking which the coolant can eventually leak into the eng $1000, brakes never seem to be good, fix at dealer with minimal cost but eventually did a whole new brake job, muffler pipe has a crack, lower control arm bushings left and right needs to be replaced, now head gasket dealer $2200, private shop $1400 and eng rebuilt at priv shop $2400. I only have $155k when does it end.

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  Whiplashing Fun & Stylish - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Candlgrl768 - March 24 - 10:39 pm

  I absolutely LOVE my Mean Green Machine- "Synergy" OMG heads turn all the time, actually got pulled over by a State Trooper just to check it out. Included.. Sunroof, upgraded Stereo, Rear Spoiler & added Gauge cluster the only thing missing from this model is the leather seating. I would definitely recommend to anyone whos hesitating. Its a great car!