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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  I like it! - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By bighouse - June 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Impala, used, last November and have been very pleasantly surprised with the value and performance. Weve taken several long trips(NE Ohio to Fla.) and have really enjoyed the spaciousness and comfortable ride.When family comes we have put three cars seats in the back with no problems! Previously owned a Camry and I honestly like this car better. There have been no problems mechanically.

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  Happy with this car! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Claude Harris - June 25 - 2:00 am

  This is, for us, a good family car. It is pleasant to drive. The suspension is a little harder than other cars that we have owned but it corners better and seems quite sure footed.

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  Way beyond my expectations!!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Luvmyvette - June 25 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 1996 with 6 spd and enjoyed it BUT this 2004 just blows it away on all fronts! I mean the fit, function, looks, handling, std features, top removal (so easy now), seats, entry/exit, wind noise...What a sweet car. One tip**the body side moldings are only $150.00 and make the car look soooo sleek! Best option for the price EVER! At a chop it will run $800.00.

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  Z06 - 2004 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By andrecan - June 25 - 2:00 am

  I had a 99 Corvette hardtop and traded that in after 60k miles (no problems) for a 350Z. I missed the Corvettes torque so much I traded the 350Z back for this 2004 Z06. This car never disappoints. 0-60 in about 4 seconds, 1G on the skidpad, perfect handling, firm but not punishing ride, headturning styleing,respect from the harley guys, whats not to like? I bought this rather than wait for the 05 Vette as I didnt like the new style (no pop up headlights). I may change my mind if a 2005-06 Z06 comes out with 500hp...

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  Too many little problems in the 1st yr - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By oy - June 25 - 2:00 am

  I had a lot of little problems. The power mirrors dont go back to original setting, the right front speaker squeeks, the passenger heated seat went out several times, etc. I like the car but the 1st year models has a lot of bugs to work out.

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  Great Used Car - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By specbike81 - June 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car after 2 Brothers of mine have previously owned Prizms. I bought it because it is a Toyota Corolla that is 2 grand cheaper. Same engine, and basically the same car. I bought my Prizm with 34,000 miles on it, and 10,000 miles later I havent had a single problem. Its a great car.

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  Fun Fun Fun - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Charlotte - June 24 - 2:00 am

  This is the perfect vehicle to zip around town. Not being a big person and not having any young children makes the size a practical fit. True, it is not anything fancy on the inside but, it does have all the features one needs. I drove this vehicle when I was on travel and loved it so much I had to buy one. I would recommend to a person who loves SUVs but does not need or care about all the extras. This is a fun vehicle...

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  Enough Already - 2000 Chevrolet Astro
  By dellwen - June 24 - 2:00 am

  Although the initial quality was acceptible this vehicle does not hold its miles well. All maintenence was done on schedule however after 60000 miles the vehicle seemed to be in self destruct mode. Starter, Battery, Water Pump, AC Compressor, Blower Motor, Rear Wheel Bearing, Transmission... This vehicle was the last straw for the big three (GM, Ford, Chrysler) in my book. I never had any issues with my Hyundai and I love my Honda even more. I hate to say it but our Union workers are overated. Abolish the Unions and lets start building decent vehicles here in the USA. Until then Honda has my business. They are over 75% USA or Canadian anyway.

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  i hate my ss - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By AngrySSDriva - June 24 - 2:00 am

  i love the body style and interior but what good is a car if i feel it is not reliable? i am a foreign car man but went against myself and bought the irresistable body style. my check engine light comes on if i fart too loud and i recently had to have my rack and pinion replaced at only 30000 miles!!! The weather strip for my trunk is also always coming loose.owned it one year been to dealer 3 times for aggravating probs.

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  I made a mistake!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Kelli - June 24 - 2:00 am

  I wanted something dependable. So I thought that if I bought a new car it would have to be right? Wrong. I am afraid to touch anything because it usually falls apart. I have had it for 3 months and I already regret buying it. My ac works good but I cant use it because it makes my whole car shake. This car feels like it is about ready to fall apart. It is comfortable once you get in and keep your hands of flimsy things. But the truth is its cheap because its built cheap. I wish I had bought a Honda. I am going to loose about $2000 for this stupid mistake! Oh and I have 2 friends with the same model and both of their engines blow up!