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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  Average car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By GSA - August 13 - 11:36 am

  I was attracted to this car by the advertised fuel economy (32 highway), the exterior looks, and roomy trunk. I am very dissappointed in the fuel economy & performance. In reality it averages about 26-27 MPG on the highway. Also I find that the car is not very responsive & often I am flooring it to get enough pickup to pass on the highway. And worst of all, I am thinking of replacing it soon and it has lost mot of its value. In fairness to the car, it has been very reliable and I feel it is built solid but it is not very fun to drive and I wouldnt recomend it to anyone who is looking for something more sporty.

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  Better than an Escort - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ron - August 10 - 3:27 pm

  I bought my Nox because my back hurt too much from getting in and out of my old 94 Escort. I like it, it is roomy, and easy to get in and out of. I paid only $18,000 for it new, so my low expectations have been greatly exceeded. It does well in the snow (what little I get in Va.). Looks good, relativly quiet for an SUV, I can get all my work equipment in it. I scotch-guarded my seats, so I do not have a stain issue.

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  Wont Buy Another Chevy - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By PhilNTexas - August 10 - 12:15 pm

  Bought the 2003 new, previously owned a new 2000. The 2000 my below average, but the 2003 is a really crummy car. 21mpg, too low, Horrendous road noise that the dealer couldnt fix. cant keep tires on it, 2 sets in 55k. No torque in drive without hitting passing gear. I had the extended warr, but have had constant problems, motor mounts caused the engine to strike the firewall, rotors were out of balance, replaced myself, check engine light problem, the dealer kept it 2 days, and finally said a squirrel had chewed a wire. If you believe that I have a bridge I want to sell you. Last problem was traction light came on, and dealer wanted $1200 to fix, but finally after many meeting, fixed it.

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  Good car but cheap parts - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By rita, orland park, i - August 10 - 7:42 am

  I have had my Chevy less than 4 years and I am unable to get my hatchback trunk open. It is very frustrating. My mechanic states that it is the motor in lock to open the hatchback. I am sure if I take it to the dealer, it will be about $300 to fix it. Luckily I have a nice reasonable mechanic, although he lives far so it is a bit of a hassle to get my car worked on. I was very pleased with my car until this point but now I am convinced that Chevy uses cheap parts and I will not buy a Chevy again. I bought a new Astro van before this car and all I did was put money into it. It cost me a small fortunate in repairs. Never again will I buy a GM car.

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  Hidden Problems - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Kevin Carcella - August 9 - 12:00 am

  I have owened this vehicle since 12/03/05 and it has been in for repair 3 different time in this time period. First time for the check engine light, dealership never found the problem and just reset the light. Second time was for the vehicle not starting. Car was towed and found that the battery was faulty. Third time for Back firing. This happens when the car is first started and when you come to a stop. Now,GM has sent out what they call a TSB report saying that there is a problem that sounds like a backfire but this is normal. How can there be a admitted problem that can be heard and it be normal noise that they will not fix? I have been told that they will not fix this problem.

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  When will GM learn - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By sanmech - August 6 - 4:16 pm

  Bought this car new with 0% down for 72 months. Good deal-- With 9000 miles on the car I finally realized why my hands were killing me when I drove the car. The steering wheel is hard as a rock, and I cannot drive it anymore. So, I give it to my wife and guess what? Her hands hurt. A call to GM was made and of course they said sorry, but that is all. Car now in shop for a rattle they cant find. They replaced 2 struts and 2 strut mounts, 2 stabilizer links and 2 control arms. Still rattles. How many more times can one get burnt with a GM product. Last time for me. My Honda Civic 2003 I just bought still runs and rides like a new car with 86000 miles on it. You tell me why to buy American again!

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  Disappointed! - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By SUBMOM - August 6 - 1:05 pm

  We had a 94 Suburban for many years, was very satisfied. But with diesel going up, and it had over 200,000 miles, we had to say goodbye. Long story short, we purchased the 99. Where do I start? Brakes, plastic interior, intake gasket, cruise control, we now have three doors that will not lock or unlock,dash cracks loudly and pops when hot. Gas mileage, 12 miles in town, 15 HWY. We are very sad and disappointed. Loved the 94, do not like the 99.

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  Disappointed - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gman - August 4 - 9:57 pm

  Bought the car new. I dont put many miles on it, so Im especially disappointed. Thought it rode nice at first, but not so much now. The car has ample power. No problems with the drivetrain. Brakes are terrible, and the steering shaft clunking (apparently a common problem) has me really hating this car. Rotors are so warped. Rear rotors are so grooved and rusty, they must barely be working.

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  Nothing but problems - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Lana & Jack Rowland - August 4 - 4:26 pm

  I got the truck used and since the day I got it nothing but problems. The first thing was the transmission and a shutting off problem. I cant drive it on trips because when the temp is high the truck shuts off. It will start again but then shuts off again. So I beleave that this truck is a piece of junk. Unless you have a lot of money to put in to it which I dont.

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  Not fun. - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By TJ - August 2 - 7:53 am

  The look of the Equinox is great, that is where it stops. Backing up is down right scary there are so many blind spots, the turning radius is terrible, the suspension feels like the car has 70,000 miles on it since new (really clunky over bumps), and the gas mileage is a lie... We are selling it with 10,000mi. and buying an Audi Allroad. GM vehicles are just not good..