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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  Was okay until... - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MeatMan - October 5 - 4:23 pm

  I drive about 80 miles a day plus trips and really had no probs until now. Driveshaft bearing went out and supposedly damaged the CV joint. Still in the shop because apparently this is common. Was great thru Cleveland winter, even got me up the drive in 6" of snow with new Yoko tires. Still too many recurring and issues from the posts Ive read. Maybe Ill trade in & get a Buick. Ill not by foreign.

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  One of the best cars I have ever owned! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By priggly - October 5 - 2:18 am

  I have now owned my 2006 Impala SS for forty months and have to say that it is absolutely one of the very best cars that I have ever owned. It is blindingly fast, exceedingly comfortable, handles very well, quiet, solid, free of problems and generally of extreme quality. I have had very few problems with the car and which are limited to a bad battery which was replaced under warranty and a defective power steering hose/clamps, also done under warranty. The dealer service experience has also been unparalleled with polite, competent and thoroughly professional service each and every time I have taken the car in for service. I have been most impressed with the level of professionalism.

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  engine failure!!! - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By r wagoner - October 4 - 9:46 pm

  Love this car but after 12000 miles developed no power engine light came on and went off took it to the dealer found no problem drove another 200 hundred miles developed severe engine miss dealer replaced pistons drove home developed an oil leak next day returned to the shop oil leak repaired never made it home stopped at a shopping center then it would not start, finally started took back to the dealer now driving rental car NOT SURE IF I WANT ANOTHER ONE

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  Best car ever - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By gramps99 - October 4 - 9:09 pm

  Bought new in January 2009. I was attracted by the exterior styling, the two tone interior and the fuel economy. I like the quiet ride and overall feel of the car. With 9,500 miles on the car there are absolutely no problems. Fuel economy is better than the EPA rated. I live in a rural area & my city driving has very few stops. I keep an Excel spreadsheet for fuel economy and the calculated economy is even better than the readings on the dash. The lifetime fuel economy so far is 30.4 mpg overall. The 2.4 engine is quiet and reasonable for acceleration (not a hot rod).

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  Too Much Good Stuff - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By krs3087 - October 4 - 8:26 pm

  Absolutely love my new malibu! Last 09 on the lot...Handles well, plenty of get up and go, and I love the exterior design. I look forward to every drive I take.

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  07 1500 w/ the new body style - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 07Chevy1500 - October 4 - 5:20 pm

  I have to say this is the nicest most comfortable truck I have ever owned. To really set it off I have the 5.3 and it has great power and better fuel millage than the smaller V8. Love it!

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  100,000 miles and going strong. - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Pete63 - October 4 - 5:15 pm

  I purchased my Nox brand new in 2006. I have had a few issues with the wheel bearings. All have been replaced within 100,000 miles. Other than that it has all been basic maintenance. The tires on my vehicle were great (lasted 95,000 miles). I had my 100k maintenance completed a few days ago, oil, trans fluid, and filters changed. Everything is still running like brand new. Would definitely purchase another Nox when the time comes.

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  Good so far - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By RAP - October 4 - 3:50 pm

  2000 miles (300 in snow) in the first 3 weeks. AWD is great, transition from FWD is seamless. Engine/performance is surprisingly adequate, but buzzy. Transmission shifts agreesively to maintain speed, no trouble holding 75. Handling good for an SUV. Strut towers limit rear luggage space, golf clubs wont fit except on diagonal. Plenty of rear leg room with sliding rear seat. Firm seats were comfortable on 12 hr plus trip. LS is bit spartan, cruise control not standard? Come on! Gas mileage is suspect, too early to tell, guess about 22/16. Was hestitant to buy American (OK an American company), but price was the closer. Happy to date, we will see how reliability shapes up

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  wind noise - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ron rzeppka - October 4 - 12:45 pm

  great vehicle to drive,feel secure in it . not too big but big enough to feel safe!

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  Review - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Ken - October 4 - 10:54 am

  I love my trailblazer. I am a drummer and have to haul my equipment every weekend. I traded down from a 99 Suburban and was concerned about the loss in space but the TB turned out to be fine. Handles well and Im proud to say the engine light has only came on once because of a faulty gas cap.