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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  Overall Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Old Reliable - December 29 - 8:48 pm

  I have driven this car since 2002. It was my company car then and I bought it about three years later. I now have 207,000 on the odometer and my family has named this car "Old Reliable". The mileage is great, the comfort is very good and I have had only a few problems with the car. The catalytic converter was replaced under warranty at 80K. No problems since then with the catalytic converter. I had the intake replaced along with the water pump around 120K. I am still on the original transmission. I can feel some wear in the transmission but it does have over 200k, so that is to be expected. I think she might last another 100K!

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  Overall Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Old Reliable - December 29 - 8:48 pm

  I have driven this car since 2002. It was my company car then and I bought it about three years later. I now have 207,000 on the odometer and my family has named this car "Old Reliable". The mileage is great, the comfort is very good and I have had only a few problems with the car. The catalytic converter was replaced under warranty at 80K. No problems since then with the catalytic converter. I had the intake replaced along with the water pump around 120K. I am still on the original transmission. I can feel some wear in the transmission but it does have over 200k, so that is to be expected. I think she might last another 100K!

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  Ex-Car Owner 2 New Silverado Owner - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Alanbear - December 29 - 1:53 pm

  I bought this truck because of its long history of comfort, features, reliability, and (quite frankly) the new body design. I love it! Sticker was $27,700 paid $25 before GM rebate. Good truck.

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  2010 Traverse LT1 FWD w/options - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Snoopy - December 29 - 1:08 pm

  Bought 2010 Traverse LT1 FWD w/tow package, dual sunroof/moonroof, roof cross rails & Captains chairs back in November. Thus far, love this vehicle. Mileage varies but avg about 23 mpg hwy currently, certainly no worse than my previous 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. Plenty of room for 7 & 13 yr olds in the back seat and plenty of room for 6 tall spouse in the passenger. Rides smooth and comfortable for family of four. The third row was tested when family friends were visiting - no complaints. Handled well in the snow as a result of the winter storm that hit MD/DC/VA/PA area right before Christmas. Cant wait to drive this on our next vacation.

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  01 LT City Truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Scott - December 29 - 11:30 am

  Great Truck. I drive a good number of miles a year and I’m very pleased with this truck. I believe that the 2WD has a much smoother ride that the Z71 (4WD), and since I have little use of the 4WD, that was an easy choice. The 5.3 L V8 has more than enough power to jump up and pass a truck on a two lane road. The heated, leather, power everything seats also are nice. I put a K&N air filter in it the first week I bought it and run Castrol Syntec 20W-50 year round. I have had no problems.

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  Great Car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By houtcbs - December 29 - 2:00 am

  This is a reliable, tough, fun to drive little car. I bought it as work car as I rack up a lot of miles but now find myself driving it all the time. It is a joy to drive, very forgiving and hugs the road like vehicles priced much higher. In short, this car has provided the best value for my money from any car I have purchased. You want affordable and fun? Test drive a Cavalier.

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  Horay! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Enthusiast - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Just got my wife the car she wanted thus which was the 04 malibu..and all I can say is that its real great. I own a CTS and the malibu isnt as performance orented but it does its well in comforting the passenger with its superb ride and quiet enterior. When i bought the car I took it to a custom shop where I got new 18" ACR Black rims. carbon fiber front light attachments. Black stiching on the seats, a dvd and xenon bulbs. and the car looks even greater all i spend was 23 gran for the car and 2 grand for the interior and light modifacations in the shop..GREAT CAR CHEVY!!

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  I LOVE THIS BEAST - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Charlie - December 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is a beast its black with the silver trim I get nothin but compliments The car handles excellent for its size and accelerates like a rocket cruising at 40mph lean on the gas blink your eyes and your doing 80 Stereo cranks if you buy one load it up with all it offers you will NOT be disappointed.

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  pattys new truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By gordon banks - December 29 - 2:00 am

  got the truch for my wive to drive everday and for both on the weekends z71 rides a little hard but is a fun truck to drive and has good handleing

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  Pats Tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Pat Duffy - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I love the comfort of its handling. the interior is very lush as well as comfortable