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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  Love the extra little features - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By texasmom82 - March 20 - 4:07 pm

  I had researched cars for months and loved the Equinox on paper - then the second I went to test drive one I fell in love. I had no intentions of buying new but didnt want one older than a 2010 but when looking at the 2010s I noticed I couldnt get them much cheaper, if any cheaper, than a new 2011 so I got the new one. I have the 1LT and added the Drivers Convenience package with the bluetooth, backup camera, and power driver seat and LOVE it! The bluetooth has been wonderful when Im driving and a good thing to have in case my state, like many others, go to outlawing using cellphones while driving. The backup camera is also a great feature to have.

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  1000 Mile Review - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By brooklyn123 - March 18 - 4:04 pm

  Do you know that girl at work? You know her...the really hot one you talk about with the guys all the time. Shes kind of quirky...maybe doesnt do some things as well as others...but she is sooooo HOT that you are willing to forgive her for any short comings. That is the Camaro. Two weeks later and I still look back at my Silver Ice Metallic 2SS when I leave. Feel eyes on you as you are stopped at a light? You are not paranoid. Everyone is looking at your Camaro. Get ready to answer the question, "how do you like it? You are going to hear it every time you get out of the car. If you are unsure about the 6 or 8, just test drive them both and step on the gas...the choice gets easy.

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  This is a small car? - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By di333 - March 17 - 10:33 am

  After more than 20 years of a full size SUV and large sedans, this is a new attempt at a small car. I like the styling, both in and out and the car handles very well. I did get the top of the line LTZ which comes fully loaded. I had been searching for another car, used with less than 40K miles. I found several to my liking but it came down to this: I can buy a used car with 40K or buy this new Cruze for less money. My money was well spent on the Cruze. Beautiful car! Beutiful!

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  My Black Volt - #1712 - 2011 Chevrolet Volt
  By mrrizzo - March 13 - 7:48 am

  The Volt is my first American car, ever. I currently also have a VW and SAAB. The ride and handling to me are very much like a European vehicle. The Volt is smooth and firm, with some heft to it, but is also comfortable with a compliant ride. It absorbs bumps very well and exceeded my expectations when I test drove it. The acceleration in "normal" mode is adequate. In "sport" mode, it is a blast to drive. The car is also eerily quiet in EV mode. The fit and finish are impressive. This is an extremely well thought out vehicle. The change over to extended mode is absolutely seemless. Other than the display on the dash, there was no way to tell that the gas engine engaged.

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  Love my Equinox - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By jingles99 - March 12 - 12:47 pm

  Can honestly say this is one of the best vehicles I have owned. Besides getting a great deal when I bought this in December 2010. The ride is very comfortable. Being 63", I have no problem with leg room when driving. And with gas prices now, I am glad I stuck with the 4 cylinder, even though it can be lethargic at times. I am getting about 22 mph around town. Not getting the 32 on the highway, though my highway speeds are usually about 70. On the highway I average about 27, still not too bad. Would buy another one, great value for what you get. Gold mist in color, sharp looking.

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  2nd Tahoe - 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jsnoopy31t - March 11 - 3:07 pm

  This is my second Tahoe a 2010 model LT. I also owned a 2007 Tahoe LT. I really like both of them. The only reason I traded the 07 is because I wanted a White one and it was grey. My new one is white. I like all the features of my 2010 model and I get very good MPG from it. 19.3 MPG city and highway combined and 23-25 on the highway. However bear in mind I am a vanishing breed in that I drive the POSTED SPEED LIMIT. To those who complain about poor gas mileage I say SLOW DOWN something most people cant accomplish. You certainly dont get good MPG when you travel 70,80,90 MPH. I owned an 05 Toyota Sequoia and it was a piece of junk. Traded it on my 07 Tahoe and never looked back.

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  Amazing!!! - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By rush_2112 - March 10 - 4:47 pm

  I have owned my Cavalier for about 6 months now and I couldnt be happier with my purchase. The Vehicle was a trade in at the dealership I work at. I have always wanted a Cavalier so I inspected it and test drove it right away. It had 119,000 miles on it and the only problem I noticed was it was leaking antifreeze very fast so I new it wasnt the head gasket. I decided to purchase the Cavalier knowing I could replace the water pump myself for $15.00 with lifetime warranty! After I fixed the water pump I have never had a single problem with the vehicle. I drive it everyday to work, pleasure and trips and it has never let me down. People writing bad reveiws dont know how to take care of cars.

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  PAINT CHIPS!!! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jennybain - March 8 - 10:52 am

  I have wanted a Camaro since the Movie Transformers came out.. I love the look of the car . It is completely sexy and hot!... However, I have had my Camaro for 2 months and every single time I wash it or inspect it, I find more and more paint chips.. It is so disappointing.. I dont tail other drivers and I park in the nose bleed section of every parking lot to prevent door dings... These chips are coming out of no where.. There are not scratches.. these are large chunks of paint missing.. you can see the gray primer under it.. Also in the seams where the hood meets the fenders, the paint is flaking off.. I really hope Chevy does something about this.. I love my car..:(

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  my 3.6 malibu ltz - 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
  By glacier754 - March 7 - 4:22 pm

  very nice car, surprised at power and overall ride control, love the white diamond paint and the way it handles in ice and snow. Overall very nice car, and impressed wit it more everyday.

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  2011 Chevy Cruze 1lt - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cabsahea - March 7 - 1:40 pm

  Bought this car two weeks ago. I test drove the Honda Civic 4dr and coupe, Ford Fiesta, Ford Fusion, VW Jetta, Chrysler Avenger..just couldnt bring myself to drive the Hyundai, nothing against the car but its just a personal choice..decided on the Cruze based on several factors: 1) quite ride 2) mpg 3) overall appearance was more preferrable to me then the others 4) comfort ...After driving it for 2 weeks I am very impressed with the mpg..I have a 115 mile daily commute, 80% freeway and 20% street..I am blown away by the fact that i have averaging 36.2 miles per gallon!!! This is a huge deal to me because my other car is an Escalade which averaged 16.1 on the same trip..I am very pleased.