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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  chevrolet malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By brjoe - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Nice car,I traded in a 98 camry. I have not owned an american car since 1982. I must say, so far, I have 12000 trouble free miles on this malibu LT v6, and it is great. I highly recommend this vehicle. I looked at a camry, taurus, altima, and passat. The malibu had my favorite interior, and the best motor. It felt as fast as an altima but runs on regular gas. At first I got around 24 mpg, but after a good run-in, I have been getting around 29-30 mpg mostly highway. Build quality seems much better than what I have come to expect in an american car and way better than the taurus and altima I looked at.

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  My First SUV by Jorge Gonzalez - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Jagonzo - August 18 - 2:00 am

  The most powerful vehicle I ever owned had a 118 horsepower engine. My Z71 has almost 300! Its beautiful and has a smooth ride. It gets lousy mileage but I only work 4 miles from work.

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  Color Me Red - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Philsgood - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Very powerful, very comfy, great handling, superb sound system, gorgeous styling, gets looks from everyone!

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  Great Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Ralph - August 17 - 4:13 pm

  Bought it off lease with 35,000 miles on it. Looks and runs new. Seems to have plenty of power and will be put to the test when I hook up the fifth wheel. I have a 2002 Suburban that is the best vehicle I have ever owned and the reason I bought this.

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  05 Nox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By shaspa81 - August 17 - 3:40 pm

  I do like my 05 Equinox, but on a long trip my family took, the comfort wasnt the best. There was plenty of room, but I have always had passenger cars which have the seats mounted lower to the floor. I am sure this is the reason for my discomfort on our long trip. The motor could use a bit more power. Even on local highways, the transmission downshifts when going up hills.

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  UNEEK1992 CORVETTE - 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ROGER HOLLON - August 17 - 2:00 am

  SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY CORVETTE IT HAS BEEN A DREAM COME TRUE, NOTHING LIKE CRUISING AND SHOWING OFF THIS FANTASTIC RIDE.

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  good but good be better - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By pwcbill - August 17 - 2:00 am

  gas gauge needs adjusting,still have about 6 gals left when it reads empty.rattles but only when a/c is on.over all good vehicle.60,000+ on mine.

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  Venture Views - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By birder - August 17 - 2:00 am

  Overall, I am very satisfied with the venture. I like its interior design, room comfort and ease/placement of controls. Visibility is as good as any minivans with the headrests now seemingly required in all seat positions we have bucket configurations. Acceleration could be better when a/c is in use - seems a little hesitant. Nice tight road handling for a large vehicle. Car like ride. Entertainment center has been a great distraction for those long family drives, or when carpooling waits take longer than expected :-) Dealer responsiveness by RAMP CHEVY particularly impressive!

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  2001 C5 Coupe - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bond-san - August 17 - 2:00 am

  The Corvette has been my dream car since my teen days. Now that I finally own one I know what the phrase "dream car" really means. It truly has been a dream to own. Fun and comfortable to drive. Great gas mileage. The seats are extremely comfortable I average around 28 MPG highway. A true dream car.

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  I just got it ,but i like it - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By GiovanniPR - August 17 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Malibu. I was afraid to buy it and was recommended for the Honda Accord or Camry. But money and expenses in reparing stoped me and Idecided for this third option. I liked it. I hope he will do its best. I like the confort and speed compared to Camry. Nice accelaration, excellent aair conditioning,radio and CD player. Imponenet presence, mor elegant if you are in business than the Accord. It is smooth and very quiet.