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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  very disapointed - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By sapman33 - March 23 - 10:49 pm

  I bought this with 14k on it. I got a great deal until I realized the problems that developed. Just like other reviewers I had problems with the gas gauge, and then the trans when out at 70k. I dont pull anything and my wife drives the car so there is no hot rodding. Im very disappointed in this car. Of course the next year they offered 7/100k warranty. Bad model year (2006) stay away from this car.

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  Bad experience - 2008 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Dorothy - March 23 - 4:35 pm

  I bought this car 8 months ago and have had nothing but problems with it mainly the front end. I dont like the fact that the center seats doesnt recline and no armrest on them. Also they set to close to the side doors. I have owned a van before and their was storage room under the back seat. Overall a poor design. It does get fairly good gas mileage and I like the room, but not so sure I would purchase another Chevrolet and for sure not a uplander.

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  Not all that - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jamie - March 23 - 1:15 pm

  I was dazzled by the shiny wheel covers when the salesman whipped it around the lot, and was tired of shopping for cars so I decided to buy it. The performance is okay, and as stated before,the car is nice to look at, the factory stereo sounds okay, and the car is a smooth ride. I had heard about the cheap plastic on the interior, but didnt realize how CHEAP it is. It scratches very easily. Also, the front window scratches easily too. The right front headlamp gets condensation behind the lens, and there is a rattle in the dash that happens when the gas is applied. The windows are too skinny, reducing visibility greatly. Yes, the trunk opening is too small. Paint is blotchy in spots.

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  Last American Car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Neveragain - March 23 - 11:28 am

  Bought this car new. Gas cap pressure seal has broke twice. At 300 miles and at 36001 miles (dealer wouldnÂ’t cover secondÂ….1 mile over ) Stock tires went off at only 15000 miles Blows turn signal bulbs a lot (24 in 7 years) Rear caliper broke (left hand side) 20, 000 miles Left hand ball joint (canÂ’t replace just ball joint have to replace lower control arm) 40,000 miles Lots of bugs, turned on car with remote startÂ…Â…radio came on, has never done it again. Remote start used to start at 100 yards, today it wonÂ’t at 10 feetÂ…..battery changed in remoteÂ….still 10 feet Remote broke three times (poorly made) Passenger seat heaterÂ…..comes on by itÂ’s self Gas mileage used to be 32 highway,

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  3 Yrs Old & Broke Down Again... - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Chris - March 23 - 9:56 am

  My 2007 Impala was purchased new, with extended warranty. In 2009, the heat and blower went completely out on me. I had to take it to the dealer several times to get it fixed right. Now, I am battling a check engine light and "reduced engine power" as the car tells you, making the max speed 25 mph. After two full days of servicing at the dealer, it experienced the same issue again just 3 days later. I have been without transportation for 12 days & counting..... Just not the kind of reliability I would expect for a 3 yr old car with only 55,000 miles!! Service repairs typically require a 3 day lead-time to schedule in my experience...major inconvenience! Hard time getting service rental too!

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  mine seems to be a piece of junk - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By stacyinjax - March 21 - 6:11 pm

  I bought this car for easy commuting for good fuel economy. It was essentially a Corolla. This means I thought I wouldnt have to put a bunch of cash into it for repairs. WRONG! I have only put 38,000 miles on it and have had to put brakes, a starter, new strut on it. Now the power steering is leaking and transmission are gone. And when I had it at the mechanic the door handle went. Im so disappointed because Ive maintained it. Not to mention that every time I put the air or heat on the noise from the blower is an annoying high pitched whistle! Get blown all over the highway,Im an old lady and old lady blow by me. Just a hazard. I should have bought the Corolla.

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  Impala - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Phil - March 20 - 9:28 pm

  We had purchased new in 2004, On the most part I like my Impala. Drives on the highway very well. The interior could be better designed IE:parts used fill cheap, Cup holders are on the arm rest in between driver and front passenger placing a cup of coffee is very awkward, Interior lighting is not placed to help you see, Map lights are built into the mirror and you have to lean forward to see the map. The radio has problems with the reception, I am told it is because of the back window defroster. The suspension could have been better designed We are on our third set of tires, Second set of rotors front and back, Replaced the heater blower, Alignment each time the tires were changed.

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  new us cars what can they do! - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jens arendttorp - March 17 - 11:35 am

  29.8 mpg is all I can squeeze out of it even with a lucas additive in the fuel a good driving car as good as a Toyota Prius maybe even better, but poor fuel economy compared to my old Toyota Tercel wagon with on-demand 4 wheel drive, which is handy during winter months

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  Poor quality with no fix in sight - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By gafamily - March 16 - 4:13 pm

  We purchased this practically new (promo car with 2000 miles). For the first year, I was extremely pleased. However, then problems started and have not stopped. We have had numerous repairs made to the suspension and drivetrain of this vehicle, including bushings, struts, tie-rods, etc. The power doors also have been worked on several times however I cannot say they have been repaired because the problems always come back. I feel that, after reading several reviews, this is a common problem, but neither Chevy nor their dealers have an appropriate solution. The doors will open or close randomly, alarms will sound saying door is open when it is not, and many other problems.

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  No wonder GM is losing ground - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By UNHAPPY - March 13 - 12:21 am

  I own a 2003 Trailblazer. Started out great, until about a year ago when the ring and pinion gears went out. Had that replaced and now its in the shop and wont start. Thinking it has something to do with the theft deterrent system, even though Im no thief, Im the owner. I have put more money in this vehicle in a weeks time than what one months payment amounted up to. No wonder chevy claims to be like a rock, if you dont have them towed they seem to sit in the same spot like a rock. Will be the last I ever buy, if you dont believe me just google chevy trailblazer starting problems and see for yourself. Soon as it is up and running its getting traded for a Nissan/Toyota!