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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  Lots of electrical problems - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Tony - January 4 - 11:15 am

  Purchased this vehicle (LT3) used off lease with 40K miles and have had nothing but problems. Blower motor went bad, sensor for exit cab lights went bad, Back-up sensor error all within 6 months. Love the looks, drivability and handling, but Chevrolet really needs to focus of quality. Stopped buying Fords for similar issues in late 90s and about to do the same with Chevrolet!

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  Almost Perfect - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By kmaro - January 3 - 10:43 pm

  For the most part I am enjoying my V8 SS but there are some design flaws, great handling on turns and stops well, looks fabulous

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  Smooth Going - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Frank - January 3 - 9:49 pm

  Ive run 70,000+ miles and finally needed my first repair - replacing the cheap front brakes. With rarely required routine maintenance (including oil changes every 10K or so with Mobil 1), and 27-30 MPG, you couldnt ask for a more reliable lower cost to maintain car. I got all the options except a sunroof (too tall) that makes it a pleasure to drive. Added antiroll bars that really tightened up highway handling.

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  dont buy chev colorado - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By sweet98092 - January 3 - 8:55 pm

  I have a 2004 chev colorado 3.5 L 4x4 crew cab z-71. Dont buy this truck they are junk. I have replaced the tranny at 86,000 miles. The electric driver window and heater fan control dont work. Engine has a low noise knock, and for some reason I have to replace the battery every 6 - 8 months. Fake leather on passenger seat is coming apart

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  I dearly love my HHR - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By LovemyHHR - January 3 - 5:41 pm

  My husband purchased an HHR last year and when it came time for me to get a new vehicle, he immediately recommended I get one as well. I was unsure, though, and didnt decide on an HHR until I saw my baby on the car lot. Leather in interior, sunroom, all of the options. I Love My HHR It drives like a dream and is great as a family car. Just enough room but with much more coolness factor than a mini van mom-mobile! Also, easy to park and maneuver - A big plus for me!

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  Should not have gotten - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Pete - January 3 - 4:44 pm

  The car is terrible in the wind at highway speeds and even worse in the snow. Ride is very noisy. I wish they had offered a buy back within 60 days of when I bought.

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  Smooth Ride - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Hear ya - January 3 - 12:22 pm

  Ok, I use to have a camry and have to say this Malibu rides 10X smoother over bumps! I could not believe it when I drove it. It reminds me of my old Maxim I use to have! Great car and extremely smooth ride for a 4 cyclinder!

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  I love it...but there is a couple things - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By DG_in_SD - January 3 - 9:51 am

  This is my second burb,I traded in an 03 Z71. The 2007 model is a great vehicle overall, the looks, quality are all there.No oil usage issues. Currently have 34,000 miles on vehicle. 13MPG in town...only 17 hwy.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By rileys34 - January 3 - 8:16 am

  The move to this vehicle from a mid- sized SUV has been a pleasant surprise. It drives better and costs less, except for the Caliber, than anything else we tested. It also does not look like every other crossovers.

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  Good for the money, cheap transportation - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Brandon - January 3 - 12:22 am

  I bought this car at 17 for $1700, and I have to say, its held up decently. It had been sitting for four years in a garage mostly, so I had to replace the coils, plugs, and flush the fuel system, but afterwards it ran pretty well. The 3.1 has decent torque (gets real slow past 45-50 MPH), the MPG is decent for as big a car as it is (Im guessing 25 average, 27 absolute tops), and Ive yet to do any big replacements (AKA Mechanic). Note, it has one cup holder, and its crap. An Arizona can snapped right through it one day. If it werent for the poor exterior condition mines in (I got hit a couple times, no payout), I could be convinced to like it. Beware, handles American (AKA terribly)