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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  Only buy this car if you have a lot of money to spend. - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By deano18 - February 26 - 12:04 pm

  This car has its pros and cons, but there are too many cons. Pros: The car is a lot of fun to drive, very powerful, and looks great. Cons: MPG is not even close to what the epa estimates are. Unless you drive incredibly well and keep the rpms below 2500, you are going to get 14/15 mpg on a good day and average out at about 11. The car is always in the shop and constantly needs to be maintained. An oil change costs about $100 and this car drinks oil likes its no tomorrow. Tires costs about $250 each and the car goes through those like an eraser on a pencil. Only buy this car if you plan to use it as a weekend car, not a daily driver, and dont care about maintenance costs.

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  bad trans - 2012 Chevrolet Impala
  By William Bandy - February 25 - 12:12 pm

  car is very unresponsive when you take off, hesitates to move. I thought it was just the trans but even the electronics such as fan controls are sluggish. took it in, they say its ok . if all impalas are like this & it keeps getting good reviews what does it say about buyer revues. The car would be car of the year if it wasnt for the 6 speed trans & heating controls, who ever passed that should be fired

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  Great American car!! - 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Eric Hayes - February 25 - 9:22 am

  Ive had my 13 Malibu LTZ for a handful of months now. Bought it used with 31k miles on it. Around 34k miles I had to replace one of the rear wheel bearings, but fortunately it was still under warranty. I do have to say I am not getting good mpg at all. I have had tanks down at 22.5mpg and as high as 27.5mpg, so nowhere near the claimed mpg. Trans d/n shift smoothly at all especially on downshift. Other than that, love the car! Great design, very comfortable, great radio with Bluetooth and XM. Better than some more expensive cars of same year. Owned a 05 Malibu Classic, gotta say, Chevy has come a long way with this car! Definite buy for the $! Better value when buy used

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  6th Corvette -1999 C-5 Coupe - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Cynthia B. Baine - February 24 - 10:56 pm

  Purchased in December 2014 with 18,893 original miles, all numbers matching, all options, automatic, and Magnetic Red. With the exception of a 1967 427/435 owned years ago, this is the fastest factory stock Corvette ever made. Comfortable, fun to drive, excellent design mechanically and interior, great Bose sound system, and generally the car that makes people stop and go, man I need one of those beauties.

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  124K and still Reliable - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Scott Sierzega - February 24 - 12:18 pm

  My 2007 Z71 Tahoe has needed minimal mechanical attention. 1st set of Brakes and Tires were at 75 to 80K miles (and I tow a Boat in summer months). At 100K I had the Rear Differential, Front Differential, Transfer Case, Transmission, and Anti Freeze fluids and Filters changed. As well as Spark Plugs, Wires and Serpentine Belt. All as preventative Maintenance. At about 110K my Driver Side Wheel Bearing replaced, and about 120K my Passenger side Wheel Bearing replaced. This truck is as beautiful as any 8-9 yr old Truck can be. This vehicle has NEVER left me stranded or been towed due to mechanical failure. My opinion, Paint and Interior have outlasted anything in its year range.

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  great mpgs yes, build quality not so much. - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cjonesls7 - February 24 - 10:34 am

  Like the title says. I bought this car used. I wasnt expecting a new car but I was expecting some kind of stand. Interior is clean and roomy, leather seats a little hard, LCD is a nice touch and the upgraded sound system is great in theory. In the 6 months I have owned this car ,mind you nothing was wrong with it when I bought it. I now have two blown out subs, check engine light that repeatedly comes on, steering wheel that is falling apart and a transmission I am convinced thinks its supposed to be a manual. not impressed and I have owned a boat load of chevys. this by far is the absolute worst I have ever had. my 16 year old trans am that has a dead fuel pump has more value to me.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By max_webster - February 23 - 4:33 pm

  Bought my Impala LT brand new in March 2007. Now its February 2015 and well over 100,000 miles later. Had the steering recall issue dealt with when it was new, but thats the only thing it had to go back to the dealer for. I change the oil religiously, every 3,000 whether the "change oil" reminder comes on or not. Replaced the usual items that need periodic replacement on any car, like brake pads, tires, muffler. Changed the tranny fluid and anti-freeze and so on. Bottom line is that my Impala has given me many years of reliable, comfortable service, with no end in sight. (I kinda wish it would die because I love the new Impala). Beats a Korean or Japanese car any day!

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  dont buy unless you have a good job - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Lisa Reese - February 23 - 11:36 am

  Had my 2006 impala as for 3 years, every time I take it to the dealer, they want 200 to 300 dollars for Senors, I dont understand what these people want from us. It seem as though Im rebuilding a car thats not even paid for yet. Please Chevrolet manufacturer, or Vice president , check into this, Im about to have a breakdown.

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  Awful - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By gdb85 - February 22 - 2:31 pm

  I think I was particularly unlucky with the car I got, but this was the worst car I ever owned. In the 7 years I had it, I spent over $4,000 on major repairs, most of which came in the course of one year. By the end, it had rusted so badly that the fuel filter was rusted in place and mechanics couldnt put it on a lift because underside components were so corroded that they crushed. I didnt feel like I could leave town. The turn signal worked only intermittently for the last six months I owned it. I was so tired of dumping money into it that I just stopped making repairs.

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  Never again - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tonya Singletary - February 22 - 1:36 pm

  Where do I begin...... 2011 Equinox brought brand new. Im a commuter so I must keep up maintenance, get oil changes regularly (not from the dealer). Transmission goes out at 60,000 which took a month to repair. now 70,000 major oil leak which of course cause engine issues. Have bumper to bumper warranty BUT GMC doesnt want to pay, claims issue occurred to not changing oil. Had to produce receipts of proof that Ive had oil changes. Once all is said and done trading it in and never going back to Chevrolet.