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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  2005 Lemon - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By NomoreChevys - January 26 - 2:30 pm

  We bought this vehicle at 36,000 miles and at 50,000 it needed a new transmission (automatic) because of a manufacturer defect that the dealership called "dipstick intrusion". Apparently water was getting in the transmission through the dipstick. Good thing we purchased the extended warranty or we would have been out $3500. This is the most unreliable car I have ever driven for how new it is. We take it in routinely for all regular maintenance and had tranny maintenance 2 months before it crapped out. Now the heater wont work and the oil gage is registering zero with no engine light indicator and there is oil in the engine. Ill never buy a Chevy again!

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  Looking Good! - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bill B - January 26 - 12:26 pm

  Bought vehicle 11/08. Was a rental car so a few nicks in the body but in great shape. Great car, good gas mileage. Averaged about 24 mpg on only long distance trip I have taken so far. Great comfort and XM radio is a great bargain. Havent listened to AM-FM radio yet. Smooth ride. Heated seats are a big plus. Fantastic pick up and it turns a lot of heads with I drive in to the store or church. V8 sounds tough and kicks it when you step on the gas! Couldnt be happier with the purchase. Chevy hit a homer with this one.

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  Lemon! - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By jenn76 - January 26 - 12:18 pm

  We bought this car 7 years ago. After the warranty ran out we have had nothing but trouble. We have had to replace the fuel pump, the transmission (before it ever reached 100,000 miles). At one point the car would shut off while I was driving it! Just recently, the engine basically exploded and set on fire. Our mechanic said it was due to a fuel leak that was running through the engine. I would never recommend this car! We have sunk over $5000 in it just for repairs. GM has offered no recalls for the problems we have had.

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  No longer a Chevy fan - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ivey01 - January 26 - 12:18 pm

  My husband and I purchased two Impalas in May of 2006. First of all to those folks who have said the problems are related to TLC of your car, I couldnt disagree more. My Impala has had all the appropriate maintenance and yet it is still falling apart. The first year was okay, but approx 15 months after we bought it the Intermediate steering shaft & a tie rod had to be replaced, since then it has been one thing after another from emissions systems to the latest a power steering problem. Oil consumption and climate control have also been issues. The noisy windows I think are standard, on both of our cars the windows screech when you roll them down.

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  Junk - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jim - January 26 - 7:51 am

  These cars are junk. Horrible brake system. Intake gaskets prone to failure. Piston slap noise when started cold. A/C problems. Ignition switch and other electrical problems. I could go on. A company that sells a car this poorly designed should be shunned by the buying public forever.

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  My favorite of all - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By TJENKINS - January 26 - 6:53 am

  I was looking to buy a crossover SUV like a Nissan Murrano but when I found the Maxx I looked no more! I get the feel of a crossover with the fuel economy of a car and the safety of not having having the roll over risk! I thought my son would love the moon roof in the back but in fact he loved the console in the back seat and the many cup holders! I bought this as a used rental car and it was very well taken car of.

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  This is not a family sedan - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By atmandjLS01 - January 25 - 11:13 pm

  I just got this car 4 months ago and already I had to spend $600 replacing the oil pan gasket. Also, the owner before me had to replace a couple parts like the steering rack, as well, which cost him around 2 grand, parts+labor. It drives great, has plenty of power for freeway driving although electrical problems bring it down, like intermittent times where the turning signals dont work. For all its problems, it is still worth buying.

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  Good all around small car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Bill Spond - January 25 - 3:48 pm

  Great gas mileage, 29-30 MPG on the interstate. I have had one wreck skidding backwards into a guardrail at about 50 mph and very little damage to the car. Very well built.

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  Bang For The Buck - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By larrythedog - January 25 - 2:46 pm

  This is my second 427 Corvette, the first being a 1966 and needless to say the difference between night and day. I like most every experience I have had with the car, from the dealer on down. This car was meant to be driven every day if need be. One has to remember this is a sports car and not a Cadillac and so it rides like a sports car, no problem there. There are so many after market things that can be done to this car and the service manuals make it easy on the DIY’rs. Out there on the road there are not too many cars that can hang with you regardless of price. Its a gentleman in town and a warrior on the road. Love the Cyber Grey

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  Lucky to be alive - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By 1 lucky duck - January 25 - 1:31 pm

  We bought a 2008 Chevy Equinox LT-2 trim package after looking at the Ford Escape and Edge and the Jeep Liberty. The Equinox fits me fine and Im 6ft 5 285lbs. And January 24, 2008 we proved its crash test ratings. I fell asleep at the wheel around noon and hit the guide rails on I-79 with cruise set at 68. Looks like I hit them head on. Took out 5 posts then rolled and slid down into grass. It totaled the car and all we got was sore necks from seatbelts. Even the airbags didnt hurt hitting us! But I think they saved our lives we had 5 in car. 3 kids in back. 5 star 4 sure!