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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  08-Z06 to 09 Callaway - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By WFO(selectively) - January 19 - 10:25 am

  All an individual has to do is test drive a current vette in any form to measure it up versus the other brands in its class and the value is so remarkably apparent.Purchased a o8zo6 coupe and the bug of exhilaration hit me during the few thousand miles I put on it. I traded it in after six months as if the 505hp.7.0ltr didnt suffice. Had to go for a 580hp.t-top cyber-grey 6spd. callaway-vette with a super-charged 6.3l(LS3)Also, add the lightest road wheel available,some oversized brakes,short-throw shifter,sport seat package and multi-pro suspension system. You have a vehicle that equals the ZR1 in the quarter mile and is warrantied 3yrs/36000mile powertrain for much less dinero.

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  Love this SUV! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Jen - January 19 - 12:31 am

  I have enjoyed this care VERY much! It drives like a dream and is cozy and quiet inside and out. It is wonderful in the snow too, though I havent driven it in VERY deep snow yet. It sticks to the road and I have yet to slide in bad weather. I feel very safe driving it. My kids love the DVD and XM radio. Gas mileage blows. I think GM needs to be honest in that department. Ive had this car for a month now and I cant seem to break 16 mpg no matter what I do. Good thing the car is WONDERFUL in many other aspects...I can overlook the mpg, I guess.

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  My wifes decision without me - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Doug Canady - January 18 - 9:24 pm

  We just spent over $1400 on engine repairs when all the oil changes were done regularly and we used full synthetic oil which I swear by. I have never had a vehicle need such repairs and Ive owned over 9 vehicles that were not cared for quite as well as this one. My truck has more miles and is older and never needed such work. This is a poor vehicle. Handle like a lawnmower.

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  Happy But--- - 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By SteveF - January 18 - 7:08 pm

  Overall a wonderful full size SUV that rides well, fits everything, and looks great. Dont gripe about the mpg - its what you expect with a 6,000 lb vehicle. I take it on trips more often than my 7 series BMW since its a great vehicle for travel. Only problems during past 12 months have been with drivers door squeak (still unresolved) and the battery or alternator whereby the vehicle is dead after 2-3 days of non-use. Apparently this problem is known to GM. Tomorrow is 2nd trip to dealer for this problem. Assuming problem is resolved, I highly recommend this SUV.

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  The best car for the money you can buy - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Odie - January 18 - 3:19 pm

  This car has provided 225,000 trouble free miles. It also provides 35 miles per gallon highway, at turnpike speeds & the A/C on. Its solid & fun to drive.I cant imagine any foreign car being more reliable.

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  In the shop again! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By WishIcouldgetridofit - January 18 - 9:32 am

  We purchased our Nox in early 2006. We had numerous fixes while under warranty. We had the ignition changed three times within the first 6 months. The key would get stuck-either on, off, or wouldnt come out at all. We had the wipers worked on. Strange noises popped up that they were never able to find. After the warranty expired the problems continued. We have replaced the tires twice in 75,000 miles. It took 5 visits to the shop to discover the coolant was leaking into the heads and the engine had to be dismantled. After $1,200 and 2 weeks out of the shop it is back in. It misses out at 50-60 mph and the check engine light is on. I wish I could afford to get rid of the stupid thing!

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  Trailblazer review - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By lu213 - January 17 - 7:07 pm

  My wife and I have owned our trailblazer since 2005. We purchased the vehicle with only 20,000 miles on it. IT now has 100,000. We have never had any major problems with our T blaze, other than replacing the battery, thermostat, and the idler pulley. I do all the maintenance on the vehicle. We live in a rural area approximately 20 miles to the nearest city so we do alot of driving and traveling. The vehicle handles very well and pulls great to be a six cylinder under a load. In all a very nice suv would recommend to any one looking to purchase a suv.

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  I Love my HHR! - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By jaj - January 17 - 6:58 pm

  I bought a used 2009 HHR to replace my 2000 Pontiac Sunfire. I love it! Its comfortable, peppy,fuel-efficient, fun to drive, and handles well.

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  Great Car Little Money - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Great - January 17 - 6:24 pm

  Wonderful automobile. Runs terrific, handles well, and wow what an incredible acceleration. Fasters car I have ever owned. Have owned Porsche and many Mustangs. Incredible automobile.

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  Still going strong - 1991 Chevrolet Lumina
  By 92bravo - January 17 - 4:09 pm

  I have owned this car for 16 years. With regular maintenance, it has held up very well. I had to replace the infamous manifold gasket in 1998. The rear calipers, the water pump and the power steering pump. It gets excellent gas mileage. One tap of the gas and shes gone. The lawyers cheated the consumers on the brake repair settlement because they had no idea that these cars would still be around 18 years later. A great car overall. GM should return to this quality of vehicle.