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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  26000 kilometers in and the love is gone - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By carstryke - March 7 - 5:46 pm

  Well im 26000 kilometers and 17 months into ownership. So far i have replaced a Axel Seal, the Radio reciever, had to bring it in to get my XM fixed and currently it is the shop because my drivers door lock and power window is not operational and my Xm isnt working again and my check engine light has been flashing on and off for months. Now there are a few unsolved problems i have had too, Occasionally it makes loud knock while cornering, the transmission occasionally slips, once after a road trip there was a strong burning smell coming from the vents and i have had to boost it multiple times this winter even when it was plugged in. Trading it in at a loss as soon as i find something else

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  Weve been happier - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mas29 - March 7 - 12:29 pm

  We bought a 2011 Equinox in Dec 2010. We have, sadly, had nothing but trouble with it. In addition to the fabric headliner pulling out over the window, it often will not start. We got stranded in Topeka, KS when the Body Control Module went out and had to use a loaner for the rest of our trip from Colorado to South Carolina. We drove back to Colorado and again it wouldnt start. The dealer can not find anything wrong with it. Chevy central has given me a customer service rep that reads from a script so my request for exchanging this for a new vehicle is falling on deaf ears. Id like to feel assured that my new car will start every time. But, I dont. I remind myself I have a new car

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  So many problems - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By jakez - February 24 - 12:44 pm

  I bought this car brand new in 07 it now has 96,000 miles. I have had my key get stuck in the ignition, the car has been stuck in park, my traction controll kept coming on while driving (very dangerous), i have vent acturators that makes i clicking noise for about 3min when you start the car or turn it off or change the setting on the AC. The heater only warms up while moving, my tires ware down about every 20 to 30k miles no mater what type you buy. I currently have a oil leak and transmition leak and now it is real hard to break. I have taken in to break check and they said the pads & fuel are fine. My battery has died 3 times so far. I have had it serviced at 50k & just now.

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  Many, many problems - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jodi7 - February 21 - 11:36 am

  I bought this car about a year ago, in that time I have replaced tires, brakes, fuel pump, blinker switch, battery, oil pump switch, intake manifold, gasket, water pump, and currently the head gasket is also leaking. The car continues to have an electrical problem, sometimes the windows will power up or down, sometimes not, only half of the lights work, and the car has a continous intermittant starting problem that cannot be fixed, I never know if Ill be sitting for an hour or two waiting for this car to start. currently the car is broken down, Ive decided not to fix the head gasket and as someone who loves american cars Ill be looking to buy a japanese car for my next one.

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  Transmission Problem - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By upset15 - February 3 - 9:30 pm

  I am very upset that I have an uplander. I have never experienced transmission problems on a vehicle. I have a 10 yr old Toyota and never had to do any major work, just regular maintenance. I was told that my transmission needs to be replaced at $3350 on my uplander. This is garbage. I am still making payments on this car. There is no cost assistance and my warranty is up. What a waist.

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  Disheartened - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By dsu24 - January 19 - 12:55 pm

  I have a 2005 Trailblazer EXT 4x4 and only have 58,000 miles on it. This was my first American vehicle and at first I loved it and was happy I made the switch. I have recently had a check engine light on and took it to the shop. Had a 300 error (engine misfire on cylinder 2) and after 2 visits and $150.00 later the shop told me to take it to the dealer. Just got off the phone and I am at $600.00 and they are still trying to figure out the issue. This truck is still brand new and should not have these issues. I have seen people complaining about this online so it is not just me. My wifes Nissan is older and has more miles and has no issues. This has soured me on GM. Stay away.

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  good van for anything - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By dskidds - January 18 - 9:45 pm

  love this van, its a Custom Craft. problems are no locks, keyless entry doesnt work, driver side window motor is a no go, dont have access to the trunk, fuel sender does not work, ne fuel pump put in at 130k, ball joints are going, when it shifts between 1st and 2nd it "jumps, hard shifting" check the fluid and its alright does well in the snow perfect donuts (just once, no more) had this van on many numerous trips its a good van, but it gets 13mpg city and 16 highway, 4.3 Lt. V6 Vortex

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  6 years old and had to junk it already. Many electrical issue. Waste of money. - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By rockstartravis - January 7 - 10:01 pm

  Purchased this with only 11,000 miles on it. Had it for about 3 years. Piece of crap and waste of money. Internally is sucks. Horrible electrical issues with interior lights, seat broke and had to hold it up with a old milk can. Seat belt strap holder attached to neck of headrest busted like a cheap piece of plastic. Had blinker issue where one blinker worked and the other did not. Timing chain snapped and ruined engine valves before GM recommended tune up or check. Horrible reliability. Good vehicle for a teenager to beat up. Thats about it.

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  Do they work or dont they. - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By qianna275 - January 6 - 8:23 pm

  I used to love my car but once the airbags decided they didnt want to work anymore the love affair was over. The car has been in the shop three separate times and nobody can find the problem. The passenger airbag sensors dont recognize anyone in the car when Im driving. No matter how much they weigh. I no longer feel safe driving this chunk of metal.

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  2010 - 2011 Camaro - Front End Suspension Issues - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jtcamaro - December 18 - 7:31 am

  After a couple of months of owning the 2010 2SS RS Camaro, it started making very annoying front end noises, loud annoying clunking sounds when going over bumps or rivets in the pavement. The car now sounds like it is 10 years old. I have opened a case with GM but apparantly this is the case with MOST 2010 - 2011 Camaros and GM refuses to fix the issue at this time. If you visit this forum link you can see how many Camaro owners are having this issue. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2648682#post2648682 I have been dealing with this issue now for months and it gets me sick driving the car. Before you buy this car please see if GM came out with a resolution.