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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  New GM is Just Public Relations Gimmick - 2014 Chevrolet Volt
  By David R Haarz - April 23 - 2:55 pm

  I have a 2014 Volt and really like the car. However, I question GM and its dealers commitment to customer satisfaction in general and the Volt specifically. In December, 2014 GM issues a "Customer Satisfaction Program" which it also calls a "recall" regarding a liftgate strut. Six months after the program starts GM dealers say they need at least 2 weeks to get the part. The GM Recall Center says part is "back ordered." Most likely GM and its dealers (ie. Koons in Northern VA) do not stock the part because they want to make it harder for people to get the repair made. This is the "New GM" folks!

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  Super Smooth riding 2015 Tahoe - 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By joegraham - April 22 - 4:54 pm

  Only 1000 miles on the truck so far so Im still in the honeymoon phase,but I really like this truck. Ive owned Honda, Acura and Audi. Next to the Audi this is the smoothest driving and best looking vehicle Ive owned. 5.3 has plenty of power to move it. Trans is a little squirrely on downshifts. Sure MPGs could be better,but 16 and 23 on highway is spot on. Recently traded in a 2014 MDX Tech which I hated. Full of hard to use tech. Tahoe however is hi-tech & easy to use.The nav system flat out works. Understands voice commands,typing in address is as easy as it can get. Real-time weather app for road trips. third row is tight, and capt chairs should slide. overall very happy w Tahoe!

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  motor seized - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Barbara Laursen - April 22 - 9:53 am

  We have always had the car serviced at Midway Chevrolet whenever the mileage told us to do that. Monday I was driving it and I went to pass a car. When I went into overdrive there was a "clunk" and I lost the overdrive power. No trouble lights came on so I continued on. The car began to "clunk" whenever I touched the accelerator and then as I drove. (I had to get to a doctor appt.)After the appt. I found a GMC dealer and by that time it was barely running and extremely noisy and the trouble lights were on. The engine had seized and all the oil was gone. I had 141,350 miles on it. We are getting a used engine put in. I thought the engine would last longer. Has this happened to others?

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  Possible defect in navigation screen design may make visibilty unreliable. - 2015 Chevrolet Impala
  By 4safety - April 22 - 8:58 am

  While driving, if the suns glare hits the 45degree front screen in the 2015 Chevy Impala, the navigation picture may suddenly become invisible. This is especially hazardous when in reverse, when you expect extra rear visibility as an additional safety feature.

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  2015 Equinox 2LT 4cyl - 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
  By impalalt - April 19 - 7:45 am

  Hello, We opted for the 4 cyl for our new 2015 Equinox. I find the 4cy plenty powerful and good on acceleration. I think for the reviewer to say youll have to have the gas pedal floored is outrageous. If youre really doing that, than this isnt the car for you to begin with. I just personally feel, that for author to keep beating up on the 4cy is unwarranted. People buy this car to use and for mpg, not for a sports car.

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  2015 colorado already in the shop - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
  By dtoduke - April 19 - 7:20 am

  I purchased the truck after driving all the similar midsized competition. It was the only one we could fit a infant baby seat in. I received the truck Feb 25th 2015. April 17th it overheated and stranded me and my 2 daughters. It was 70f outside and I was just idling waiting on my wife. God forbid I actually tow something with it.

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  sporty fun car - 2014 Chevrolet Sonic
  By kathrynelam - April 17 - 6:17 pm

  Very well put together subcompact sedan. Great gas mileage, handles well- some say "jerky" I say responsive. Sporty fun to drive car.

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  absolutely perfect - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By gerrith - April 15 - 1:15 am

  I have never owned a better car. I fell in love with my impala the second I drove it. Their not joking when they say "torquey v6". Its definitely got power to it, with a nice little intake rumble as a bonus! I never had any major problems with it. Everyday wear and tear such as transmission fluid changes, brake rotors and pads, and one of my bulbs went out. I was always working on my previous cars whether it was a valve cover gasket, tie rods, struts, water pump, alternator, etc. This car needed nothing! I bought it at 224,000 miles, and drove it to 261,000 miles, and it never gave me a single issue. Every time I stuck the key in the ignition, it was ready to go! 10/10!!!!

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  updating my post from 2011/Fast......fast - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By James Dzendzel - April 14 - 5:52 pm

  Now the car has 90,000 miles on it, replaced the shocks with kyb adjustables.just put on some new uniroyals 245/r15s and the ls1 is still going strong. Great highway car

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  Poor Quality - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Patty Chaffee Herr - April 14 - 12:46 am

  I had to replace the air compressor at 3000 miles, The entire backseat upholstery tore loose and had to be restrung, It stopped running at 40000 miles, just after my warranty was out. I had to replace a sensor. My car turned over to 54000 and the water pump went out. Now it has 54500 and the check engine light is back on for who knows what. Tried to trade it in and I am negative about $4000, This car is a joke and I wish I had never bought it !!!So dissatisfied. This is only a disposable little car which doesnt last until it is even paid for.