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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  Not BAd - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Pete1576 - July 16 - 2:00 am

  I have only had this car for a very short time. Already been to the dealer for a defect in the headliner. Nice ride, Could use a little more power engine wise.

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  06 2500HD - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By SamuraiSV - July 15 - 8:03 pm

  For the price the sub-par interior quality is acceptable. The 6-liter has good power as long as the RPMs are kept up. The transmission is a bit hard to cram into reverse or first and shifting can be a bit notchy at times, reminding me of the 30-year-old pick up I owned in high school. Paint quality is poor with a fairly noticeable orange peal appearance. A major up is a comfortable 3-piece bench seat that feels more like a bucket. Over all for about 21k it will do most work thrown at it.

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  2006 Cobalt 4 Dr LS Sedan Manual - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By parker08 - July 15 - 6:26 am

  This car is amazing. My parents recently got this car for me. I had no idea how to drive a manual, but this car is easy to learn in. The gas mileage is great!

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  Beautiful - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Bobby Brow - July 15 - 2:00 am

  With almost 180,000 miles on it my blazer is still running strong. i have never owned another vehicle like it, and other than the usual wear and tear, and normal car maintanence, it has never given me a problem. if you know anything about serviceing cars/trucks, and keep up with your annual services, this is a great vehicle that will last forever. this truck still looks and runs brand new like i just drove it off the showroom floor, and at 180,000 for a domestic vehicle, id say its a great value. and coming from a die-hard Nissan fan, Chevy should take this as a great compliment.

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  Still brand new - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By jjjjb - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Rented this from National with 175 miles on it, and drove it 1000 miles on CA Rt1/101 from San Francisco to San Diego. It made the trip a true pleasure. The car showed excellent maneuverability, comfortable ride, easy passenger entry and exit, excellent visibility and handling.

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  Camaro review - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Camaro man - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I purchased an orange Z28, and I personally feel it is the best car I have ever owned. With its overwhelming power and historic roots this is a great chioce for any driver.

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  gutless - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By willard - July 15 - 2:00 am

  no pulling power on steep hills or on mountain roads with a 5%,6%or7% grade while on vacation pulling a travel trailer that weighted 3280lbs empty. the truck,trailer,gear and people weighted less than 10000 lbs.

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  Blanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By taylor59 - July 15 - 2:00 am

  i have had this vehicle since october of 2002, what a joy it is to drive and manuver, great truck, great design, thanks

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  2004 LeMan Convertible w/auto - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By billynedhouse - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Great car -- I have had 1962, 1969, 1970 and two 1978 Corvettes including a 78 PACE Car and this is the best -- if C6 is build as good as this I will get a C6 in 2006 or 2007

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  BEST BUY - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By T - July 14 - 2:03 am

  I am thrilled that for less then 25k I bought a mid-size sedan that both my husband and I are comfortable in. Finally a vehicle designed for someone short. I am just barely over 5 feet and every other car I have ever owned I can not help but sit dangerously close to the steering wheel. In my last car there was less then 6 in. between myself and the steering wheel. The Malibu has the adjustable pedals and telescoping steering wheel, allowing me to sit at an arms length from the steering wheel. My husband is 6 foot and it fits him as well. Finally an affordable car for those of us not average.