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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  GREAT CAR!!! - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By George W - October 25 - 4:46 am

  Great cargo space, great mileage, fun to drive. My family and friends love my 2008 HHR. Getting use to the window power switches in the middle,

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  Still Going Strong... - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By kimij - October 24 - 7:21 pm

  Bought new in Nov 03. Always loved it. PLENTY of pick up - really gets up and out of its own way on the highway. We dont use the 3rd row often - can be a pain to install quickly (and store). No blind spot to speak of at al. Also remember having odometer replaced as a warranty issue. Small things here and there but overall a totally reliable, amazing car.

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  2010 GS - 2010 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Sean - October 24 - 9:15 am

  This is my second C6 and it replaced a 2000 Ferrari F360. Other than the interior, this c6 really does out perform the 360 in every objective area. The 360 felt great - good feedback. This C6GS just has a different, good feel. You cant replace the feel of a mid engine with mid front/rear layout. HOwever, you can place the car anywhere you want on the track with rack or rear wheels - and feel it. Sound is impressive with the factory sport exhaust. Deeper v8 vs the ferrari, but just as wonderful to listen to.

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  Best Vehicle I Have Ever Owned - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By jeffm - October 24 - 6:53 am

  I purchased my Dale Earnhardt Edition SS Supercharged vehicle almost brand new (It had 4,733 miles on it when I purchased it). This car is awesome! It provides me with brisk acceleration from any speed, and the ride is very smooth! The interior is roomy, and I need all the room I can get (60 215). I can stretch out, and it is a comfortable car (not to mention fun) on long road trips. It is very reasonable on gas...I average about 27.5 MPG in a combination of city and highway driving. The car is absolutely beautiful when you finish washing and waxing it! I plan on keeping this car for many years to come!

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  Love it - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Bryan - October 24 - 2:26 am

  Its very good on gas yet fast at the same time which is great. The acceleration on this car is really good and the handling is perfect. If you are looking for a fast car and want to save money on gas at the same time, I highly recommend the Cobalt SS supercharged.

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  Not the same car as the 2005-2007 models - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By GMcustomerNoMore - October 23 - 10:04 pm

  Used to have a 2005 LT: features, fit and finish were impeccable! Based on my experience, I bought a 2009 LT2 sight-unseen. First impression was the downgraded interior materials: silver plastic replaced wood-grain, vinyl for chrome, lower-quality leather. Engine compartment and trunk soundproofing were dropped so much noisier than the 05. Trunk lid does not sit flush and gaps between body panels vary widely. Trunk floor sags where spare tire well cover was eliminated. Center cap fell off after 2 weeks, a clicking noise developed in a rear door after 1 mo, molding above the drivers door peeling back after 5 mo and sunroof rattling after 6 mo. Goodwrench said irreparable under warranty!

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  Worst car I have ever owned - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Ane - October 23 - 7:50 pm

  This car reminds me of a slow horse. I probably would have been better off buying a horse! It has very poor pick up. It is very uncomfortable. Cant drive more than 30 miles without a backache or knees killing you. I put more gas in this car than I did in my van and NO I DONT DRIVE MORE! I have to stop for gas alot more though. I hate this car. DO NOT BUY ONE unless you are looking for a car for the new driver in your house for school and a part time job. Overpriced for the quality. Oh and did I say how much I hate this car? The intermittent wipers are too fast! Good God

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  over 5 years on factory pads and countin - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By avalanche ga - October 23 - 4:32 pm

  Nice ride, very versatile for hauling, great looks.

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  not likeng so far - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By POS - October 23 - 3:48 pm

  Rides and drives good. Dont use it for towing just normal driving. I have had it for about 9 months and have 116,000 on it. It had 106,000 when I got it. I have spent about 800 dollars on it (02 sensors,idler arm,Pitman arm,still needs tie-rods and balljoints + had exhaust work done twice.) and now it is in the shop again. The cam gear and distributor gear are bad. about 1,700 for parts and labor. $850 just for parts. Cant wait to git it fixed. Might make a good trade-in for something else. This is not a good dependable vehicle. Would not recommend unless u have money to burn!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  new 2010 equinox bought 12/30/2009 - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Sandro Sarang - October 23 - 2:36 pm

  new vehicle, approaching 1000 miles and two weeks of driving. very smooth and tight ride, feels like a nice, solid build. brakes already saved me once from rear-ending a sudden- stopper. fuel efficiency depends on my leadfoot, but cruise control is great at it, so long trips are great.