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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  Buy a 99 malibu LS. You wont be sorry. - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Linda - August 14 - 10:00 am

  My 99 malibu ls is great transportation. The only problem I ever experienced is a trunk water leak when it was new. Once that was fixed, it was excellent in all ways. My advice, however, is not to buy a car from Carfagno Chevrolet. They are a nightmare when you have a problem. Go to Magarity Chevrolet on Bethlehem Pike for top of the line, courteous service.

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  Always have good luck with the Blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By bmdwags - August 14 - 10:00 am

  We have leased 2 Blazers...and we have been happy with them both. Comfortable and easy to drive. Rear doors swing open wide enough to get kids in and out of car seats. Plenty of space in the back for family trips with lots of luggage and the dogs.

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  My favorite appliance! - 1992 Chevrolet Blazer
  By cajemo - August 14 - 2:29 am

  I have previously owned a 1991 Caprice Classic, but it wouldnt handle snow, so I bought this beauty! It is reliable, comfortable, smooth and versatile! I have had a custom exhaust installed, repainted after original factory paint flaked off, chipped it with the JET brand chip, installed Denali wheels/ tires and upgrade spark plugs to the Platinum series. It is a Cheyenne with vinyl everything inside! Only power features are the steering and the ABS brakes. It looks sharp, rides smooth and sits high! If I were to do it again, I would try to find a 96 or newer with the Vortec engine, or a 95 or newer diesel. My 5.7 is only 210 HP stock.

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  Fastest Mid Size Car I Ever Drove - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By steve,douglass - August 14 - 12:09 am

  I had the car a month. I love it. I like the handling, the style, the performance, and the quick pick up on the highway. And all the standard features which got me the most. It is a very sporty looking and very classy looking as well. The interior is very comfortable, more comfortablel than the Camry. For a 6 cyclinder car the gas mileage is not as bad as I thought it would be. Bottom line its a great car and I highly recommend it.

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  Great in High-Mileage Form! - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Willis - August 13 - 9:35 pm

  This car takes abuse and keeps coming back for more. I got the midnight blue coupe with the painted bumpers option and 5 speed manual. The 2.2L(ohv) engine leaves a bit to be desired for power but the manual tranny makes up for it. I paid $1500 for this car 3 yrs ago and its just needed head gasket and ac recharge. It had 130,000 on it when I got it and its never left me stranded at 162,000 miles. something is! The cheapest 30,000 miles I ever drove was in a crappy old cavi!

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  The Reason GM Is Dying - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Rollin - August 13 - 4:20 pm

  GM should be embarassed to put the storied Impala name on this fleet-grade rental car. Nasty seating. Floppy handling and dynamics. 1970s-vintage interior materials and design. Ho-hum styling. Spastic tire-pressure-sensor monitors. Fritzy electronics. Mediocre power.

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  Amazing car? - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Gaucho blue - August 13 - 3:03 pm

  I traded in a 740 BMW for this cruiser. No it is not a race car but for everyday and for vacation you cannot beat the comfort. It rides like a Cadillac deville.Lots of room. Mileage is poor. I average about 15-16 miles per gallon. One trip the best I got for 4 hours driving was 19.6 miles per gallon. You cannot fill the tail end of this car!

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  Love my Trailblazer! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Love My Trailblazer! - August 13 - 12:09 pm

  I love my Trailblazer. The ride is so smooth! Very realible. It is 5 years old and have not had any problems with it at all. The rear stereo is great. My son can listen to his CDs while I listen to the radio. I think I will always buy Trailblazers.

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  My First Suburban - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By terry - August 13 - 11:51 am

  This is my first Suburban. My last vehicle was an Avalanche and I totally loved it, but I wanted a covered cargo box and my wife didnt like the Avalanche caps that were available. So I was looking and saw the Suburban that we purchased a 2005 with only 28,000 miles, Red with tan interior, plus it also came with an extra set of 20" chrome rims and low profile tires. The original tires and rims were included also and those looked like they had very few miles. I have driven the Suburban for almost a year and absolutely love it. It is very simialr to the Avalanche, but now I have the covered cargo area, and it works prefect for me. The only thing I wish it got about 2-3 miles more per gallon.

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  My Little Chevy - 1993 Chevrolet Corsica
  By J.Pye - August 13 - 9:42 am

  A good looking faily comfortable car. Utterly reliable after sorting it out i.e. Head gasket leak (2.2 4 cyl engine.) Ive been driving American cars for 40 years and this is the most economical at 35 mpg on runs.