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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  My first truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By My first truck - July 9 - 11:26 pm

  The inside of the extended cab really surprised me, Im 62" and i fit nice in the backseat. Had hauled heavy, heavy stuff and it was like it loved working and this is only a V6. I used this also on vacations, 8 to 10 hour drives, with two kids in the back. Its a ready to use for all occasions.

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  Best American Car Ive Ever Owned - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Whaler21 - July 9 - 9:10 pm

  Im not one for american cars. Honda and Toyota are the quality I expect. So spending 45K on this car was a huge gamble for me. If Toyota or Honda made a real supercar then there would be no Vette in my garage. But I have to say, without a doubt this is one of the best cars in America today. Built with quality and not one problem so far. Very happy with the performance, 26+MPG on the highway and the fit and finish that will match anything from Japan. The 08 is much more than the 07 model. Hold out for a 08, you will be glad you did. Excellent ride and performance for the money. Much nicer dash layout than any other year Vette. Im just so happy the fit and finish is as nice as it is. Also, Chevy is finally after all these years making the dash layout worth looking at. Seeing the same dash components in the Vette as the Chevette is one reason I waited so long to get one. Much better dash/interior than the previous years. Go and get one.

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  Awesome truck! - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Paul - July 9 - 6:18 pm

  There is nothing not to love about this truck!I have the 5 cylinder3.7 litre engine (242 horsepower) It has plenty of power, awesome gas mileage for a truck. Im averaging around 20 - 21 combined,which is pretty much the same mileage I got with my 2006 Honda CR-V! Dont get me wrong the CR-V was a great car also, (I traded it in with 54,000 completely trouble free miles on it) But I am in construction and I really just needed a truck. So far, the Colorado fills my needs perfectly. Dont listen to expert reviews, read the consumer reviews, and dont listen to people complaining about it not having a V8! I had a 2003 Dodge Ram1500 with a V8, and that had less horsepower than my 5 cylinder Colorado!

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  Maxx - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By gto222 - July 9 - 6:03 pm

  Bought a new 2006 Corvette at same time. Maxx is my work vehicle. Gas mileage is low (approx 22 mpg overall), performance is great. Suspension can be a bit tricky near the limit. Brakes were typical Chevy, poor. Replaced with aftermarket calipers/disk/pads. No surprise here as almost all Chevy brake systems are weak. Overall, very nice car for the money. Maxx will run circles around all the midsize sports sedans until you get into M3s, S4s and turbo stuff like a WRX. I am happy.

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  Malibu anti-theft malfuction - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Rebecca - July 9 - 4:36 pm

  I only have 4000 miles on my Malibu car and I have an anti theft malfunction. The car just dies on you and you have to have it towed to the dealership each time it happens. GMC has not offered a recall on this problem and there are hundreds of complaints online about the same problem. Im not happy with it because of this problem and also because once youre on the freeway you cant have the windows open as you can with Fords and other cars. The car starts vibrating and making an awful sound so you have to shut the windows. This was a very costly experience and I regret changing from 40 years with Ford.

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  Sporty SUV - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Christina - July 9 - 2:48 pm

  Ive had my Equinox for four months now and am very pleased with my purchase. I test drove practically every SUV in the class and the Equinox came out on top. I came close to buying a Rogue, but the interior was cramped and lacked features. I am partial to the exteriors of the RAV4 and the Ford Edge however, they are also lacking in the features department (at least on the basic models). The Equinox comes with a lot of bells and whistles for the price. I love the OnStar feature and the information screens. With one push of a button, I can check my oil life, tire pressure and remaining gas mileage, etc. The fuel economy isnt bad for a vehicle its size. Overall a great purchase.

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  2001 impala 3,4 v6 - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By roy coleman - July 9 - 1:25 pm

  Bought this car, with 13,000 miles, and about 8 months old. Car now has 170,000 miles. First set of tires, lasted over 140,000 miles, there has been only one set of new rotors and two sets of brakes put on this car since new. Runs absolutely great, original plugs lasted 160,000 miles, just recently changed them. Have had some problems with the air conditioner, having to do with the way Chevrolet designed the system to work. Based on sensors, as to where they do or do not respond properly. Every problem that this car has had I fixed myself, as they were minor. This is and has been a great car.

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  Good luck? - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Natrona - July 9 - 11:44 am

  I had wanted an S-10 6 years prior to finally buying one. I couldnt drive stick at the time, but bought the 5 speed anyway & now cant imagine driving automatic! Ive said this 1000 times, I love my truck. I get about 22 mpg on hghwy/ 20 city so its not bad but could be much better. Biggest complaint is Ive had to replace the 3rd door handle four times. Otherwise, its very comfortable, handles well & has more peep to it than most 4 cylniders. I like the extra room the extended cab offers & the jumper seat has proved useful. The bed is short, especially with the box but still enough room to move my friends! Never had a break down or any major problems. 6 years later, I still love my truck

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  Good Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By BWHITE - July 9 - 11:16 am

  I purchased this truck used with 15,000 miles on it, I now have 45,000 on it 2 years later. I have had no problems with the truck mechanicaly. I tow a ski boat reguarly and fuel economy is only slightly effected. Only problems I have include, the leather seats cracking prematurly, and the dash has a few spots that are chipping. I get better than avertised with fuel economy, i get about 17 mpg city and 20 hwy with the 5.3L V-8. However, I do drive with a light foot and I have a bed cover on the truck. My father has a 2005 4wd Ford F-150 with an idetical bed cover and he gets better gas milage that that, however the chevy seems to handle towing better and is more manuverable.

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  Great Ride - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By abetar - July 9 - 11:06 am

  I have owned my SS for about a year and love every day driving it. I have got as high as 40 mpg on the highway and ussualy around 30-32 around town. Love the ride and love the performance