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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  Toys toy - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By toy - September 6 - 12:54 am

  Other than some minor repairs I have found it enjoyable to drive. Fuel economy doesnt exist in a vehicle this size. But it still lacks horsepower. I never liked that the truck is governed at 100 mph. But what the hey this isnt the autobaun. Truth be said this will be my last Chevy. There are better deals to be made.

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  Fun car - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Brookfield - September 6 - 12:40 am

  This is the smallest car I have ever owned. It does everything my mini van did ,just in a smaller way. I really am enjoying this auto, and will be looking to up grade after a year or so. I highly recomend this car.

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  Truck with Class - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Lee Brewer - September 5 - 7:53 pm

  My Silverado is loaded on the inside from heated leather seats and XM Satellite radio to dark tinted windows and fog lights. The features available on this truck were great. I havent had a single problem with the engine, brakes, or transmission after 20K miles and I dont plan to. Runs well, comfortable to drive and it just straight up looks good.

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  One bad buy - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By fishguy - September 5 - 5:28 pm

  Bought this car as a manager model with 2000+ miles. I dont know how a car can be built in this day that has such lousy brakes?! How can GM not know how to make brakes?! This car is loud and scratches with every bump. It has simply been one of the worst buys of my life time and Chevy will not see my money when I make my next purchase.

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  Comfortable for the price - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By John M - September 5 - 2:02 pm

  Combine the GM $5K Manufacturers rebate with my $3.5K GM card rebate and discount off sticker, I paid $8k for a car that stickered at $17.3K. Great visibility and ease of parking are the two main features I like combined with GREAT gas mileage at 25 mpg city especially at $3/gallon and it was a great price and timely buy. Surprisingly comfortable for a small car. Time will tell on the reliability of said vehicle but given the price I have no concerns about repair costs

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  6 yrs later - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
  By your_welcome - September 5 - 12:09 pm

  Follow up after 6 yrs... I’m 1st owner. It had top safety award for 2009. Came equipped with corvette tires, it handles with amazement. It’s used mainly to drive to work and back home, a hilly round trip of about 45 miles. The trip has about 25 miles of highway (50 mph, with 3 stop lights), and the rest is stop and go city driving. It averaged 27-28 when new, now it’s 30-31 MPG at 45,000 miles on it. Mileage seems to get better with each oil change (every 6K miles) A HUGE gas factor is using the AUTOMATIC climate system (both on AUTO setting, use defrost only when needed). So far, the car has performed without problems (the 24 volt battery did have to be replaced, but under warranty).

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  Great for towing - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By bbp2459 - September 4 - 5:55 pm

  This has been a great truck/SUV for towing & hauling...in style! Very comfortable seats. Having the ability to fold down the midgate gives a lot of versatility. Considering its towing capacity, it is also not so big that you cant park it easily.

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  2002 Red Avalanche - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By DH - September 4 - 4:53 pm

  Great vehicle. The longer I have it, the more I like it. No matter where I am or what I am doing, I can always pick up more people or cargo. It is very flexible to meet whatever demands you put onto it. The only downside it has is the fuel economy, but it is a big truck. The four wheel drive works great and it is very reliable. It rides very well, more like a luxury vehicle than a truck.

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  2006 Malibu SS Reality Check - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Teds Reality - September 4 - 1:59 pm

  This is a hot new ride that offers a LOT for the money. Only in Teds dreams, however, does he get 30-40mpg with a 3.9L V6. Chevrolet only rates it 18-23 or so. After market parts might allow one to milk it for another 10-15%. Make no mistake, this is a comfortable but gas guzzling ride with a lot of punch under the hood.

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  My first car! - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By btown_jim - September 3 - 11:50 pm

  My dad bought the 02 MC SS in bright red for me with 74k miles. had it for half a year now and still love it! handles beautifully, and has some power in the 3800cc engine!! trust me, this car can really book on the highways. interior feels like youre sitting on a really comfy couch, and i love the dual zone climate control. sound system is great too! my friends all love my car. theyre always complimenting how its fast and attention-grabbing. my friend has an 02 MC LS and everyone prefers mine to his, so only look for SS when buying. after 76k still no problems! I plan to have this car for a long time to come.