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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  Too bad you didnt buy one! - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By tvwalsh - July 18 - 11:44 pm

  I have enjoyed this car more than I ever thought I would! The engine is smooth and powerful. The exterior looks like what we all thought cars would look like in the future. The biggest surprise has been the fact that, lately, it has not been depreciating! I think GM made a terrible mistake when it dropped this car rather than putting a few bucks into it so it could carry the GM flag against the Mustang. Rumor has it that the bean counters at GM said that they only needed to sell one third more Corvettes to break even after killing the Camaro.

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  Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Strick - July 18 - 4:46 pm

  Great truck all around. Def gas mileage upgrade to my 05 Hemi. Looks interior and exterior are awesome. Lots of great features. Remote start. All kinds of bells and whistles. Only one problem a little thing called a driveline clunk. Such a new problem on a new truck dealership didnt know what to do initially. But now its fixed. Other than that couldnt ask for more. The back doors are sick due to the 180 opening. back windows roll down. Chevrolet def made some up grades.

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  2002 Chevy Malibu LS - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jeff Edstrom - July 18 - 3:49 pm

  I just bought a 2002 Chevy Malibu on ebay. I was kind of hesitant about buying a car on ebay, but it was a smokin deal and it worked out really well! This blue book on this car was about $9,000 and on ebay i bought it for $5,000. It was a great deal and it is a great car! I love it! it drives great and its perfect for my son. I love it! Id recommend it to anyone who is interested in buying a Malibu!

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  Good value - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Martin Ruben - July 18 - 11:50 am

  The Malibu is a good solid car that has the features and drivability expected of a good North American vehicle.

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  Impressed - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mputney - July 18 - 8:50 am

  I have owned this truck a little over a year and currently have 11,000 miles on it. Prior to purchasing I test drove the F150, Tundra, and Ridgeline before making my decision. Hands down the Silverado had the nicest interior, ride and more than adequate power. Ive towed my 5300# camper with it 3 times and have been very impressed with the pulling power of the 5.3, averaging (pullng) 13 MPG which isnt bad considering the trailer is like pulling a parachute. Thrilled I made this choice and the truck continues to inspire me that America can still make a great vehicle.

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  Great fuel economy - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By jeepride - July 18 - 8:49 am

  Had van since new. The interior parts are very cheap. The video system controllers kept popping out at times when accelerating. Dealer replaced them under warranty and they continued to fall out. I put adhesive strips behind them and they havent fell off since. I pulled both front seats out the first week I owned the van to send them to an upholstery shop to add lower side support. Now much better. The leather seat surfaces wore a hole within 40,000 miles. My intake went at 42,000 miles. Keep an eye one your coolant level. The 100,000 spark plugs are meaningless with coils that only last 35,000 miles. Transmission shifts hard after 43,000 miles. Dealer charged me for a transmission flush ($300.00). Now bad again at 73K.

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  Love my NON-V.W. - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ted Guarino - July 18 - 7:06 am

  Hi, I just bought a New Chevy Malibu. I had a 2002 V.W. Beetle. After it bled me to death in repair costs and poor gas mileage, I figured it was about time to come back to an American car that got great mileage. I was out in an Enterprise rental car when my Beetle was in the garage. The worse thing the V.W. dealership could have done we to have me out in that Chevy for four days. I loved it and went and bought one! I get 40mpg highway and about 30 around town.

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  Pretty nice first car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Randy in Georgia - July 18 - 1:54 am

  This was my first car. I have put well over 20,000 miles on it and it is still ticking without any problems. Gas milage could be better and the dings I have received from cars bumping my doors are annoying. I certainly will upgrade for my next purchase and probably get a Toyota Prius, but this is an excellent starter car.

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  I love my 2nd Malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Cheryl Vasquez - July 18 - 1:37 am

  I first owned a 2003 Malibu, which I liked as well, although, my 2004 held out better in frontal impact collision. My 2003 was totalled and my 2004 was salvageable. I like the Malibu and I enjoy driving this car immensely. I would recommend this car to anyone with 1-2 children. Any more in the family could be a little uncomfortable.

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  my baby - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By chrissy - July 17 - 11:12 pm

  This has been a great car for me and my family. Even with gas prices as high as they are it does not take too much to fill my car. The exterior of the car almost looks like a sports car. Then interior of the car is great. Plenty of room for you and your kids to go away for the week or for the day. I love my car.