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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  Great Buy - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Bob S - March 6 - 10:19 pm

  I have been very happy with my 2005 Cobalt. The gas mileage exceeds the sticker average by a mile. At 55mph on a two hundred mile trip, we got 40.2 mpg. The car has been a pleasure to drive. City driving it gets 29mpg. Its quick and corners well.

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  Good SUV - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Dave - March 6 - 7:00 pm

  I have 31000 hard driven miles and this truck loves to run wide open. I have taken many long road trips 18 hrs non stop felt great when arrived. Helps to add cold air intake & dual exhaust

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  Lemon - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By CarGuy - March 6 - 5:40 pm

  This was my first car ever, and what a mistake it was! I bought it for pretty cheap, but the repairs got me. Ive had to put in a new intake manifold, new heater, new fuel injector, new alternator, and most recently a new transmission, plus a ton of little things. I bought the car for $3000, and I have put $2500 dollars into it in under 2 years! The car itself isnt to bad when its running.

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  Mr. Darcy - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Darcy - March 6 - 10:00 am

  I like this car, which the price is very decent. Drive pretty smooth. Come with cd & mp3. What do you want at this price!!

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  lemon - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ksav - March 6 - 10:00 am

  Radio Not Working At Delivery, Leaking Oil At 2000 Miles, Differential Seal Leaking, Repaired By Dealer, Leaking Again Next Day, Dealer Replaced Differential, 2500 miles, Heavy Banging From Front End, Stabilizer Coming Loose, Radio Went Dead Again, Air conditioning Giving Out Chemical Odor, All Repaired By Dealer, Doesnt Meet Chevrolet Criteria For Replacement with a new truck? This Is A Classic LEMON!!!

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  Nox Rocks! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Robert in Baraboo - March 6 - 10:00 am

  Our only complaint is with the turning radius. Its not as tight as youd expect on a car this size. Otherwise the nox is a great ride. Well put together, quiet, and snappy. We frequently travel with four adult occupants and Im 62. Everyone is amazed with the leg room in front and back. Doors are very easy to get in and out. Overall, two thumbs up on this new Chevy!

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  Great value - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Elaine Leo - March 6 - 10:00 am

  My husband used to sell Chevys and was very impressed with this new model. We chose all-wheel drive, as he was cautious about front wheel drive from previous models. We have had a noise in the front suspension, had it diagnosed by the dealer was told there is a service note for front strut issues with no fix set yet. Concerned about damage to tires and other damage to front end. Only other issue is tilt wheel control and visability with rear seat head rests. Otherwise, the vehicle is great!

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  LTZ - Great Economy Car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By RobinH - March 6 - 2:16 am

  I have 40,000 plus miles on my Cobalt and average 30 mpg during my 100 mile daily commute. I average about 40 mph overall. (On the highway I get 35 mpg when driving about 60 mph) Have had no issues. Car was about $10,000 less than others I was looking at. Interior is "cheap"...but it runs great and gets me to work. Original tires only lasted 40K miles, now switched to Goodyear Assurance Triple Treds, which I have had before and are great tires.

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  So far, so good - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Wifes SUV - March 5 - 9:03 pm

  We narrowed our search down to the CR- V and the Equinox. My wife liked the Chevy better, and loves it after about a month. The Equinox was delivered in perfect condition, no squeaks or rattles, everything works, no reason to return to the dealer. So far its getting 20 - 22 mpg on my wifes highway commute and in local driving. My in-laws bought a CR-V about the same time, so it will be interesting to see how the two SUVs compare over the long haul.

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  Certainly not the Venture - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By busymom - March 5 - 8:18 am

  This is the 3rd van type that we have owned as a large family - first one was a Dodge Caravan, then a Chevy Venture and now the Uplander. Really liked the Chevy Venture! Was absolutely my favourite vehicle. Reliable workhorse, comfortable, roomy, great value. Traded to this "new" model - first year for Uplander. Cramped inside - not nearly enough leg room and we are not tall people. Original tires were terrible in snow - had to replace them before the first winter was over. Great performance after the replacement. Not a lot of mechanical issues - very happy with that. Brakes squeal incessantly - told nothing could be done. Rotors and pads have been replaced on all wheels.