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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  Pretty Satisfied - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Central VA - May 19 - 11:45 am

  Bought my S10 used 6 years ago, have driven it about 50K miles. Had to replace an alternator, battery and mirror, but otherwise nothing but tires and routine maintenance. Gas mileage isnt very good, but truck is good looking, fun to drive and comfortable. 5 speed and V6 are a good combination. Paid $9000 for it used, according to Edmunds, its still worth over $4300. Pretty darn good buy as far as I can tell.

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  My baby - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Laura - May 19 - 9:46 am

  I have had my Malibu for about 6 years now. I purchased it used basically good as new as it had only been driven for one year prior. It drives nice, is quite reliable and the factory speakers sound good. Although I have had to replace the brakes three times in the past two years. Other reviews mention the AC a lot, I have noticed my AC turning on and off on one occasion, and it has not acted up since. I wrecked the Malibu about a month ago going 45 mph, without a seatbelt on. I slammed on the brakes and the car skidded about 10 feet into the back of the car in front of me. Not sure what speed I was at when I hit the car, but airbags werent deployed.

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  Who says driving to the office is a bore - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Tyro - May 19 - 2:00 am

  After careful review of the 03 M3 and CLK55.....on a fluke I looked closely at the 03 Corvette...initially the ZO6....and then the coupe....I looked closely at both models but left the dealer without driving either....only to return a few days later to drive both...and much as I loved the raw power in the ZO6...I chose a coupe with the transparent roof.....and saved $20k from not buying the CLK or the M3...and thus far.....I have no regrets and look forward to taking the longer route to the office.

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  Suburban does it again - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Juan Salas - May 19 - 2:00 am

  About two years ago I sold my 1997 Suburban. I thought I would never find another vehicle like my 1997 Suburban. Boy, I was wrong. When I took delivery of my 2003 LT 2WD Suburban I was really impressed by the smoothness and the handling of this mamoth. I am really happy as well as my family to have purchased this King of the road. Long live the Suburban!

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  Fun to drive!! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By gmforever - May 19 - 2:00 am

  We bought this Trailblazer to replace two vehicles, an exteded cab pickup & my wifes work car. We are very happy with the ride and performence of this trailblazer. Very quiet for a suv and the handling is also great! Very good dealer experience,probably the best we have ever had.

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  Versatility and Comfort - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jcrwv - May 19 - 1:03 am

  Gas prices aside, the 327 cid avalanche tows great, hauls great, and looks great. This vehicle is the real hybrid. Some ongoing issues with the A/C remain but not a significant negative as yet.

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  Functional and Fun - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By cory zimmerman - May 18 - 4:00 pm

  This is a great vehicle. It has numerous features that turn out to be very useful, such as side compartment that also serve as ice coolers. The fact that the bed drains is nice during the winter. Interior is extremely roomy (Im 62")and comfortable.

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  Porsche Fanatic Converted! - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By clutchplate - May 18 - 2:16 pm

  Ive owned several Porsches and always respected the power of Corvettes but thought their handling left something to be desired. Those days are gone. This car out-accelerates, out-handles, out-brakes, and out-looks any of the Porsches Ive owned. The engine has the sound of a jet whine combined with that ripping canvas Ferrari growl. Its intoxicating. I got the Z51 suspension with a 6 speed and leaving it in 3rd on a Mt. road lets repeatedly hear the V8 burble which you can feel in your stomach. With the Z51 there is no body lean and it feels like a slot car around corners. The car really doesnt have a weak spot. Best sports car buy this century, its like getting a Ferrari for $50k.

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  Absolute value & satisfaction - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By thom - May 18 - 8:53 am

  For the money there is no car out there to compare with the Malibu, I havent owned a GM product in twenty years, and I am back and so is "GM". You owe it to yourself to check this vehicle out before you purchase your next vehicle. The OnStar feature alone is worth the money. I drove an 07, and there is no comparison.

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  Great Car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Lisa Mundy - May 18 - 12:50 am

  I love this car!! I can haul items I could not haul in a sedan. I have had this car full to the brim with potting soil and bark mulch, flats of flowers and there was still room for a bit more. I drive a lot of highway miles and I am always very comfortable with the seating and access to the controls. It handles great.