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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  Transmission Problems - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Richard - November 9 - 11:40 am

  Ive had my transmission replaced once and rebuilt twice in 36k miles. First was at 16K miles-all gears except 1st and reverse gone. Next was at 26k miles. Gears 3 and 4 gone. Next was at 36K miles last month. Gears 3 and 4 gone. I have just about every other oil change they have had to fix the transmission. I have owned this since new and never use it to tow.

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  Grasshoper - 2001 Chevrolet Metro
  By sweet4_candie - November 9 - 10:37 am

  What would I do without my metro? I drive 25 miles one way to community college everyday sometimes having to go twice or three times a day because of my classes. I bought this car with only 65,000 miles on it and I now have 105,00. It has definitely done me well. I mostly only drive highway and it gets an astonishing 37 mpg. It has some get up and go because of how light it is but it lacking some power when going uphill. Ive had no Major issues with this car since ownership. It has been absolutely great!

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  Monte SS - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By mattyv - November 9 - 10:00 am

  Great cruising vehicle with plenty of pep in the bottom end when its new. Over time the mid end of the end isnt as responsive. Overall I am still very pleased with the vehicle based on its looks and comfort. All this vehicle needs is a supercharger or even a V8 with rear wheel drive.

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  Favorite truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Todd Lynch - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I purchased an 01 LT Ext. Cab SB Z71 new in May of 01, just prior to the intro of OnStar as std. on the LT trim. Its style, size, and feel are "just right" to me when compared to the 01 Ram and 01 Ford. There are a few squeaks over bumps when its cold (50F or below), but nothing out of the ordinary. Plenty of power from the 5.3L, but you need to bury your foot to find it. Blame the over- conservative tranny programming GM provides and get something like the Hypertech PowerProgrammer to "fix" it. Great in snow, but the ABS is a little too sensitive. Either add weight to the bed (300lbs or so) or see if a dealer will adjust it.

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  Another failure - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JakeW - November 9 - 8:26 am

  I expected much more for this epsilon ii designed architecture. What is noticeable is the implementation of foreign and outside influence into this car. Besides all of the effort gm put into this car, it still is a badly designed car that does not come close to the competition it inspired to reach to. Lack of engine efficiency, power. The dashboard is just hideous. The use of cheap plastics still makes me sick. Lack of features, unless you pay serious money to get it.

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  Cruze good for cruising - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Wil Chambers - November 9 - 5:47 am

  Good looking car from inside and out. Love the handsome exterior body lines and 18 inch wheels. interior has a great infotainment center. Front seat comfort is terrible needs lumbar support. Rides very quiet and smooth cruising around town. I hate the Auto start and stop feature sometimes a little rough when car starts back up. Overall im happy i purchased the Cruze and hope i have many miles of worry free maintenance!

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  Nice car - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Crossroadspilot - November 9 - 1:36 am

  I love this car! First lesson learned: Leave the traction control on! This car will keep you from getting in trouble, but turn it off and you are on your own. Dont be that guy! It would be nice to have the extra 50 HP of the Z06. Inexpensive problems I fixed: headlight motors fail because the gears are plastic $400. A/C lights go dim then fail $200. Coolant overflow tank cracks/leaks $150. Turn signal relay (havent fixed yet). I have a code that comes up occasionally for an O2 sensor. Fuel filter is a dealer part $85. Trunk latch needed adjustment. I am never selling this car!!

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  Disappointed in Gas Mileage - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Illinois Chevy Owner - November 8 - 8:16 pm

  I really like this vehicle, but am very, very disappointed in the gas mileage. I get about half of what the EPA rating on the sticker. I think the shifting is a problem because the tach goes wild as it shifts through the gears, but the dealership ignores me. I am also disappointed in the wear of the interior already, and Ive only had the vehicle 7 months! It is a comfortable ride, and I like the room and the features of this vehicle, but I wish I had bought something else. And its really sad because I have always had such good experiences with Chevys.

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  Great Truck - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Eddie - November 8 - 11:36 am

  Love the truck. Traded in my 04 EXT for the 4 door. I am a plain guy that doesnt need a fancy interior. It is a truck to a fashion statement. I get good fuel economy and it runs great. Comfortable ride. Buy American.

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  Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Matt - November 8 - 4:55 am

  I have had my Cobalt for 2 years now and I have yet to have a problem out of it. Ive put performance parts on it as well as a body kit and rims and I drive it like I stole it every time I drive. I have the 5-speed manual transmission and I change the oil every 2500 miles. The car is great I have never had any problems from anything to do with the engine or transmission. I had a problem with the radio but it was covered under warranty and fixed the next day. I would recommend the car to anyone. If your into performance and style its great there are tons of parts and they are easy to install. The 2.2L is a great engine and runs like a champ with plenty of power to go around.