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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  Good Car - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ask666 - May 10 - 2:00 am

  No hassle - minor issues but a good car to have

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  Traiblazer EXt review - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By burakceylan - May 10 - 2:00 am

  The EXT is amazing, way more space than the Explorer or Durango, better fuel economy than both, with more torque and horsepower. The third row of seats have alot of leg room, and are elevated a little higher than the other seats. Nice quiet ride, smmoth; get the BOSE sound system (optional) This vehicle rides so well you get addicted. It also feels so comfy. Looks slicker and classier than the other SUVs in this class. Lovin it! the 4.2 V-6? Much quieter than GMs other 4.3 V-6. LOTs of power...275 horse, 275 torque!

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  Trailblazer LT EXT - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By subnavychief - May 10 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful SUV, Got it for $100 over invoice. Rough Buying experiance, dealing with the dealer. Drives great! A lot more standard than Ford SUVs

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  Great Product - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By HBH - May 9 - 6:40 pm

  It is without a doubt the best buy of all vehicles in this class. Value, money, quality. Enough said

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  Sad to part with old friend - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By rick194 - May 9 - 1:25 pm

  It is now time to trade in the Duramax/Chevy. I have not pulled a trailor in the last 18 months so I am getting something smaller (Suburban). I have over 230,000 miles on it, averaged 17 mpg, pulled trailers from TX to 36 states. It brokedown twice. The alternator went out at 200K+ and a wire rubbed in two shorting out the electrical system at 180k+. The injectors were replaced under warranty and that was it, other than routine wear items, brakes, belts, hoses, ball joints. Do not need a truck like this any more but have kept it for 18 months because it is such a good one.

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  Will buy another one! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Robbin - May 9 - 11:10 am

  I love my HHR! Ive had it just over two years and it has a little over 20,000 miles on it. I havent had any major problems with it. I did have some brake squeak when it was new and that was fixed. I still get compliments on my HHR. Most people are surprised when they get in at how much room it has. Especially when I haul something in the back, they never think it will fit and it surprises them when it does! I get great gas mileage 30-33 on the highway and 25-30 in town, it just depends on how big a hurry Im in! My Mom is considering an HHR for her next vehichle.

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  I expected more from Chevy - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Scott - May 9 - 8:43 am

  The 1999 V6 Malibus have many known engineering flaws. I purchased mine new with less than 20 miles on it and its going strong at around 90 thousand miles with numerous repairs. My problems are quite common from reading these forums. Replaced the brakes/rotors at least 7-10 times over the past decade at a conservative cost of about $5000-$7000 and Im not an aggressive driver. Ive had the head gasket replaced due to the known Dex cool antifreeze problem ($700), had the alternator changed once, the pass key theft system needed to be replaced ($300) Power windows stick in the heat, A/C went bad.... I thought Chevy had a reputation as a reliable car, guess not the 1999 Malibus.

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  Love my Tahoe - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Austin - May 9 - 1:01 am

  I have enjoyed owning my Tahoe and never regretted buying it. The DVD player has been awesome with the grandchildren and also the 3rd seat. Only had a few minor problems, car seat adjust and speed odometer quit working, but that was at 72k miles and the dealer fixed the odometer free. Wasnt great on gas but I expected that when I bought it.

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  Love my 07 HHR - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By JUDY - May 9 - 12:10 am

  I love my new HHR better than my former vans, VW Bug and SUV. The first road trip we got 35 MPH. There is plenty of leg room in the back seat if the front seats are pushed back for taller riders.

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  Trailblazer 2005 LS 4WD - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Chevyman - May 8 - 10:26 pm

  Hold on to your horses on this one. Owned chevy products in the past and this one should be buried with the design. Reconsider this one folks, not bad under 36K but be prepared for costly repairs after warranty is out. Chevy with the 4.2 is noted for numerous electrical problems (Fuel sending units) bad connections and less than favorable gas mileage. Purchased new and currently average 11- 14mpg highway and have done all service inspections and it still has cost me over four thousand in repairs. Interior very cheaply assembled GM could have done a better job!! Think twice or even three times before you invest in this model and be prepared for repairs.