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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  Good car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By James - December 16 - 4:19 pm

  My LTZ now has 59K on it (purchased used 2 years ago with 24K). Its a good car with minor issues, especially if you compare the price point to similar makes/models. I have full confidence in the reliability of my Impala. The problems I have had so far are merely minor annoyances: TPMS, wind-noise, alignment issues.

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  i love my tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tommy t - December 16 - 3:29 pm

  I bought my 2003 lt Chevy Tahoe in 2005 with 72xxx. It was what I had always wanted. Now in 2009 I have 181k and the truck still drives like it did when I first bought it. Sure I had my few problems like every car does. I had to replace the whole front end at about 130k, battery, alternator, window motor. Other than those few issues I have had great luck with this truck. And I will keep it until the wheels fall off. I love my truck like I said before. Couldnt ask for anything better.

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  HHR Rocks - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Rollinchp - December 16 - 10:03 am

  What a wonderful, fun vehicle to drive. Love the retro look, the stereo is great, rides good, and gets great fuel mileage. Overall, Chevy has hit a home run with this vehicle.

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  2006 Equinox LT - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Harris - December 16 - 1:53 am

  I really like the Equinoxs exterior, and the interior. The car is very comfortable and roomy. Its fun to drive and to own. Its a great SUV.

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  American Ferrari - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By vmrchitect - December 16 - 1:03 am

  Slick, Super design and wonderful to drive. A must have!

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  HHR SS - A True Sleeper - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Powerman - December 15 - 9:39 pm

  Overall, the HHR SS is great for those who need the practicality of a small wagon, but want a surprising balance of performance for the value. Styling preference is very split for this model. If you like 40s retro hot- rods, then this is for you. Dollar for dollar, although not as socially prestigious, from a performance perspective. A GM Perf upgrade is available that maintains the full factory warranty, but raises the power quotients to from stock 260hp/260ft lbs torque to 290hp/315ft lbs torque. Torque steer is mitigated by a standard launch control program.

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  klunking - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Charles Campbell - December 15 - 6:24 pm

  Have owned this car just a few days. When driving on our road, not a pot hole Rd. It klunks like the shocks are bad. Im beginning to get the feeling dealer is going to say this is normal. Im 70 years old but I know bad when I hear it.

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  Speedometor - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By momof3 - December 15 - 3:41 pm

  I actually just got off the phone and asked in regards of the "recall" for the speedometer problem and was told that it cannot be done after 70,000 miles free of charge, that I would have to pay $500.00. I was told that GM was ONLY doing this out of "COURTESY" and that it was NOT an official safety recall. Well what happens when you are driving and not know how fast you are going, is THAT not count as a SAFETY?

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  Worst Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By John - December 15 - 11:12 am

  Having driven ChevyÂ’s my entire life, itÂ’s safe to say IÂ’ll never own another after this experience. IÂ’m convinced that anyone who has anything positive to say regarding this vehicle must be a representative of GM. I have countless small complaints (doors not working properly, door panel coming off, dvd not working etc) but IÂ’ll stick with the major issues. At 40,000, the engine blew because the timing belt sprocket came off the crank shaft - $6000. Last week the driveshaft literally fell out of the transmission - $1100. These problems are unheard of for a vehicle with less than 50,000 miles. Mind you, this vehicle is used primarily by my wife for trips to the grocery store, not offroading.

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  Brakes - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mike - December 15 - 10:35 am

  I purchased the vehicle new and have had it in the shop 6 times for braking problems. My wife drives like a grandma so I know its not due to harsh braking. I have also had the alternator replaced, luckily that was still under warranty. Unfortunately when dealing with Chevy, the warranty does not include "normal wear and tear" on rotors or pads. I have noticed that the more frequent we replace them the faster they need replacing. This will be the 3rd time in 2009. Im over it! This cant be legal. Someone help!