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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  Broke down with less than 4K miles! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By recker - December 16 - 8:42 pm

  You would think that after making a 30K purchase, it would be reliable. GM dropped the ball. After owning for 4-5 months and less than 4000 miles our traverse has an "intermittent electrical issue", and will not start. The service department had to call GMs engineer dept to find out how to fix the issue. The fact that the service dept had to call GM on how to fix the problem is a scary thought. Never again!!

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  Love the Malibu - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By slambertr - December 16 - 6:15 pm

  Purchased an 08 Malibu LTZ with V6, moonroof and leather seats. Love it! The Malibu is great looking inside and out and the V6 engine has great power. Gas mileage @ 20 mpg in city/highway combo driving. Only complaint - wish there was a little more rear seat room. Overall an excellent car - my wife drives a Maxima and the Chevy wins hands down. My daughter is still driving my old Impala with 110,000 miles - hoping for equal durability.

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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?