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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  More than I expected - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By rick - October 7 - 7:06 pm

  I bought this SUV about 4 months ago with 135,000 miles on it. When I bought it, I knew I had to replace the rear rotors and the drivers door pin. I went ahead and replaced all four rotors with cross drilled slotted ones which pull this thing to a stand still quickly. iI like the power from the 4.3 Vortech, but Im a guy and of course I would like more power. I did have to replace the fuel pump, but it has 140,000 miles on it now. The interior is the best. I have never had a vehicle more comfortable. The ride quality is top notch. I dont feel like Im driving an SUV. I have Goodyear Fortera tires, which are specifically designed for SUVs, and it feels like Im driving a Cadillac.

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  Great piece of machinery - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Lefty Files - October 7 - 5:40 pm

  I enjoy having the power of a V8, as well as the size of my Silverado. It is very easy to operate and rides like my old Cadillac. So many changes in design and so many innovations make this the best vehicle that I have ever owned. It goes everywhere in 4wd. I am over 6 feet tall and the interior has plenty of room for me to move about. The safety features are top of the line, as well as the overall feeling af driving this truck. I treat it like I would my car, except that it is more powerfull and fun to drive.

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  Wouldnt buy again - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By meganscar - October 7 - 3:36 pm

  Ive had numerous problems with this vehicle. So far, Ive had the flywheel replaced due to noises when the vehicle started(this was one month into ownership), the entire fan/blower system replaced (one year into ownership, power steering gear replaced and lower intake gasket replaced (2 1/2 years into ownership). Now that I am out of warranty, the fan system that was replaced does not work - again. This is not to mention that this V6 vehicle has no power or pickup. I would not recommend that anyone buy a Malibu.

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  Unbelievable - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By mavvvvvvvvvvvvvvv - October 7 - 3:16 pm

  I recently purchased a 2003 Z06 and what a ride! I love it. It has the best of both worlds, gas mileage and horsepower. I wish the seats were more comfortable and the sound system was better. I would have thought that in a car of this quality an mp3 player would be a standard option. Other than that, I love to drive the car and really enjoy the speed of these awesome machines. All I can say is that it is an incredible ride and I will never not own one again.

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  Excellent value - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Joe - October 7 - 12:06 pm

  I downgraded to this car from a big luxury car, thinking it was time for something more economical and greener. Im very happy, the car has all of the features as my other car and more, it drives very smoothly and handles very good. Im amazed with the fuel economy, I havent average less than 27 mpg, of course I drive mostly highway miles. A part from being smaller than my trade, its very comfortable inside with supportive seats and plenty of room for a car this size, the back seat is comfortable enough, assuming the front seats are not all the way back. So I can safely say I dont miss my old car, I do occasionally miss the power, but thats the compromise you have to make.

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  Great car at a great price - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Wil4189 - October 7 - 11:36 am

  I pruchased this car with 25,000 miles, and have put 36,000 on myself. The most major repair has been the replacement of lubricant in the steering shaft, cost a whole $100. I am ecstatic with my gas mileage. I drive 500 miles a week, and I average 28 to 32 miles per gallon. Runs smooth with a great ride. Very minor road noise but nothing major. For a car with only 180hp, it does move when you want it to. It has great styling, I love the design of the dash and gauges. The outside has a great apperance and stance. I have added some custom floor mats and upgraded the stereo by a lot. I will be adding tint and rims soon! However, if youre planning on an Impala, get one with an autodimming mirror!

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  New standard 3.9 liter engine has power! - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By MikeLaw - October 7 - 11:25 am

  The new standard engine has a lot more power to it, worth the small loss of mileage, which still is good for a minivan. A lot of space, 120 cu ft of cargo with seats down. Comfort is excellent, and safety looks to be very good a 5 stars (frontal) and 4 stars (Side) They dont sell well so you can get a great price,under 20,000 with 4 wheel antilock DISC brakes standard.

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  Problems with a lemon. - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jim5959 - October 7 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this wagon, in aug 2000 and we had water in the vehicle after the first ranin storm, the dealer said this was a common occurance, when I pay 30,000.oo for a vehicle I dont want excuses. Shortly after that i Had 3,000 miles on it it developed a noise in the front right passenger seat area,the dealer twice said there was no problem,after taking it to another dealer they said the heater box was broken...they fixed it and the repair,haha, lasted about three months. The steering shaft had to be replaced at 12,000 miles It made a terrible noise it sounded like it was going to shear off. Lastly the wagon rode like a pick-up truck with a plow package

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  TrailBlazer Justifies Return to GM - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By dleaoh - October 7 - 10:00 am

  After 20 years of buying only Japanese cars we have finally given GM another chance in the last three years. The 2002 TrailBlazer is as well engineered and built as our six Toyotas and Hondas. The same can be said of our 2000 Chevrolet Venture. The major disappointment with the TrailBlazer is gas mileage--about 17 MPG, most of it freeway.

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  Best Vette Yet - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By gunmandon - October 6 - 1:31 pm

  The car is the best Vette I have ever owned. There is not one thing I would change, except I would like to be able to purchase the Z06 as a rag top, my perfect Corvette. I bought it to drive, and I drive it daily. A world class sports car is here, and it is a great value for the price.