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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  Original Owner 2001-2009 - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Arizonan - November 12 - 9:42 pm

  Owned car from 2001 to current (2009). Been a good car. Comfortable for long trips, reliable, attractive enough. Decent gas mileage per age of car now. Currently over 105,000 miles. Normal repairs and regular oil changes, and car has continued to be a good car. Large enough for family comfort too.

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  Dont Buy - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dargiewicz - November 12 - 9:17 pm

  The front tires need replaced after 8000 miles. The drivers door is noisy as wind goes by. Rear door lock sticks. This is my wifes car - she is not happy - My mother has owned Impalas for many years, she bought a 2009 Impala and is ready to go buy a Ford. My family of nine has owned GMs from the mid 70s - I own a 2001 GMC truck and have owned many GM vehicles (great truck but after Impala I may go to Ford truck)Always wanted a 3500 but may go 350

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  Turn Around - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Turn Away - November 12 - 9:11 pm

  First year: Radio replaced twice due to shorts, door panels replaced twice due to peeling, instrument cluster replaced was shorting out, a/c blower replaced was making lots of noise. Power steering went out now 1200 repair. Any review you see that is good, theyre lucky. Stay away from this car like the plague, never will buy chevy again! Emailed GM with my issues and they have never contacted me. They have issues with their cars and dont care....safety concerns....WARNING STAY AWAY!!!

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  Little Trailblazer - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mark - November 12 - 4:37 pm

  I bought my 2009 Equinox to replace a 2002 Trailblazer. The vehicle I love except I could use more room in the back to haul things. I can not haul four golf bags and four golfers. Other then that I think it is a great vehicle. Very well deck out with options.

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  Love it - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By CalgarySL - November 12 - 11:32 am

  I got 1LT Mocha Steel Metallic 2010 model and already have 3000 Kms on it. Ride is so smooth. Unfortunately, an someone rear ended it, but very little damage. Car is in body shop now.

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  Best Car Ive ever owned. I love it - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By hd - November 12 - 9:23 am

  Its a great car. I bought it for college and Im now out of college and Im still driving this car. It is an absolute blast to drive. Its wonderful for someone who is going to be going to school and doesnt need a full size four door car but Im the the point where I am going to be having a baby so Im going to be needing a four door car or SUV.

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  chevy is the worst - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By anthonyrini - November 12 - 12:19 am

  I started the unhappy owner of a chevy cobalt but at 60k miles i got a check engine light "o" no probably a smog problem nope come to find out that cylinder 3 has lost compression so now i need a new motor wow i hope that chevy reads this im very unhappy chevy stole my money

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  ok chevy - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ok chevy - November 11 - 9:35 pm

  had a 92 chevy astro had to sell that piece of junk so my dad loaned me his winter beater it was good the first year beat the crap out of it, it still runs the 4.3 is underpowered with a full load by myself it hauls the leather seats are hard 510 i fit perfectly in it if i was any taller i would be uncomfortable

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  Peice of junk - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By bart18n - November 11 - 9:13 pm

  Everything seems to be falling apart day by day. Brakes have been replaced 3 times in two years. Front stabilizer bar has been replaced twice and I live in a city. new rattles every day that are impossible to pinpoint as they come from everything from the back panels in the back seat to the suspension to sun visors! went over a bump and the housing for the sunroof button just fell out of the headliner. Thankfully everything has been replaced under warranty except for brakes which is a big concern because they are quite expensive to replace if you have to replace them twice a year! only good things is the stereo which always sounds awesome and can really pound and the engine its self

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  Fully Loaded - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ADG21282 - November 11 - 8:47 pm

  Bought brand new. Fully loaded, paid extra for paint color. Loved it in the beginning. Then the problems began. CD player replaced 3 times...CDs get jammed in player, some dont play at all. Window controls and cup holders must have been placed by a blind guy. Sounds like a helicoptor is on top of me when the windows are open. Leather is horrible quality. Interior paint is chipping off. Uneven tire wear. Had issues with cooling system within first 2 years. Now, I get to play "Equinox Roulette" everytime I get in...will it start today? Found out a cylinder is misfiring and the coolant looks like mud. From reading other posts, seems like a blown head gasket...awesome.