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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  GAVE IT UP AFTER 10 MOS. - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By LEON - March 9 - 2:31 am

  After 10 mos and more rattles than my old 99 Chevy. I decided when the front end began to squeek and rattle when going over light dip and bump, I knew then with all the other rattle with the back seats and rear tire storage tire area, this vehicle wasnt going to be the car for me. Also the power wasnt the best even going up a incline such as a raised bridge incline and definately was not meant to mountain travel as I found out twice. Overall its a South Korean made economy car, good gas mileage for flat road travel, cramped inside spacing, and the cup holder well, what were they thinking?. Tired of wind up cars and poor workmanship.

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  Automotive Atrocity - 2008 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Steve - March 5 - 11:06 pm

  This vehicle is an embarrassment to GM. Its hard to believe it comes from the same company that brought us the Corvette. Interior design and utility is horrific. I have 2 kids, both in car seats. My kids have no leg room at all. I literally cannot use the 3rd row, as there is no way to get to it. Try hanging a jacket on the hook! You cant reach the hook from the sliding door, and you have to CRAWL INTO THE BACK to reach it from the rear! Ours has a roof console that Ive hit my head on many times. This car is a real head-scratcher, and I wonder how it was ever cleared by GM for public consumption. It clearly was not evaluated for everyday usability by families before its release.

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  PLEASE consider your options first - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By smyoung312 - March 2 - 11:56 am

  I have had this car for 5 years now, & I have many issues with it. First, the pump that dispenses the washer fluid went out, 3 years ago! Now, my drivers door will not lock unless I manually lock it myself, but will not unlock unless I physically crawl through my car, and unlock it from the inside (key doesnt work in the door). My car can be on without the key in the ignition, my running lights wont stay on, and my automatic lights dont turn on either, which has resulted in a dead battery numerous times! I have had many problems with this car, and not enough $ to fix them! The problems just keep stacking up! Oh and my CD player eats my CDs if Ive been in the car for more than 20 minutes!

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  So Disappointed - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By brownlol - March 1 - 4:01 pm

  I have only owned Honda or Ford SUVs. Purchased in July 09, looked and test drove several. Read reviews. This was the last on the lot. Loved the car in the beginning. First, the Onstar battery had to be replaced. Second, there is a knocking noise when I turn the steering wheel. Been to the dealership 3 times. The first 2 times, they couldnt hear anything, the last time they heard a slight noise, but no explanation as to why I continue to hear this noise. Dont want the hassle of going through the lemon law. I hate having to pay for a truck that feels like a piece of crap. Its the first and last time buying a Chevy.

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  run far run fast dont buy an Aveo - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By RunAwayFromAVEO - February 25 - 7:17 pm

  Bought it pre-owned but it was certified. Had it tested at Chevy dealership and they said a good car for the money. Only had it 3 years drive it in Houston to and from work and so far have replaced throttle body assembly 3 times, replaced both front struts at 34000 miles as they were leaking, had an oil leak, replaced shifter assembly & sensor most recently as car would not shift out of park. to day car has been in shop for repairs 14x since April 2008. Not including regular maintenance which I do regular. Purchased this as I needed a reliable car good on gas to go to and from work. A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT & BIG MISTAKE. tryign to work something out with GM & Chevy and so far no results -(

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  What a Joke!!!!!!!!1 - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By DawnJ - February 25 - 1:36 pm

  Traded my Monte Carlo for this van used not even a year ago. Has been in the shop 6 times. Has cost over $1500 in repairs and has to go back into day because "starting is disabled" Have replaced a wheel hub. The brakes shake you out of your seat whenever you depress them. The steering grinds when you turn right. The electronic doors will close and crush a gallon of milk. When you hit a bump the door alarms go off. The reverse warning system tells you, you are going to hit something when there is nothing there and then lets you back into parked cars. The DVD player stopped working just after my baby discovered it was there. Interior noise it horrible! Dont just walk away for this buy, RUN!!!

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  Fire Hazard - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Not Happy - February 24 - 5:59 pm

  I was getting ready to get on I-5 and my car died. Coasted to the side of the road and hit the ON Star. They said a tow truck was on its way (30 minutes). A state trooper stopped and told me to stay in the car but also said he smelled gasoline. I told him I had been trying to start it again but "no go". When the tow driver showed up was told that the car was leaking gas. When it got to the dealership on the truck, the gas went everywhere. Attendant told me I could have been killed. Broken fuel rail. The dealer was notified and all he could say was"was there an impact" no apology - but will give us one (1) free oil change- not bad for almost being killed. GM customer service - zero!!

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  dissatisfied - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By robert minnie - February 22 - 6:25 am

  l purchased this cobalt last august and have not been happy with it, very poor gas mileage, rated for 48 and l get no more than 25/26, back seat leg room is real small, l feel embarrassed to take anyone with me, other than these little annoyances the car is ok, wouldnt buy another one

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  AVEO NOT USA MADE LIKE I WAS TOLD - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By LEON - February 21 - 11:49 am

  Wanted to buy American to stimulate economy. Salesman agreed showed me the gas economical Aveo. After esearching and buying found is MADE IN SOUTH KOREA! No where in the reviews or paper workI read did it say Korean made. When hit slight bump or rut in road, hear popping noise at suspecsion area. Also when turn sharp. Gas mileage: 32- 34 best after 6 mos.Interior: design is fair but cheap plastic. Back fold down seats rattle when up normal. Body quality poor at best. All ready bumper peeling by trunk. For the price, buy Toyota. They tell truth.

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  Disgruntled owner :( - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By unhappy discruntald - February 18 - 11:29 pm

  have owned this car for 7yrs in those 7yrs this car has been ridiculously a pain!! its had engine problems over heating brakes electrical you name its gone wrong..im very unhappy with this car.with every little money i get it has gone into this vehicle and to tell you the truth its not worth it!! if its not one thing its another (thank you AAA) just recently my trunk will not open and the brakes are failing!!!