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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  Reliable, but could be better - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Hansjs - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for nearly a year without any real maintenance problems, however there are few negatives as well. Fuel economy is fair at best(I have been getting 24 on the Highway), the engine is not very quiet, road noise is loud, and the interior ergonomics are not well thought. I will say that the engine is quick, I never have a problem merging right into traffic.

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  Crazy4 - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By icanfly2 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  My fiancee and I have owned our 2003 Spiral Grey vette since new and hae never had one problem. On the highway we average 27.7 mpg at 70 mph and 22 around town. Only complaint is only one coffee holder, but not a problem.

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  regret this buy - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By izzyb - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive had problems literally from the start. I have had 3 or 4 different radios installed (I lost count) because a cd got stuck, then the clock stopped keeping time. This took months for the service department to figure out what the problem was. Apparently it was a very unusual problem, and since then I have had countless others. Will not buy another one!

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  GREAT!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Mary ellen - March 30 - 2:00 am

  The braking system stops you very quickly. I was very impressed when I had to stop very quickly on the interstate to avoid another truck that lost his trailer and the car in front of me started skidding and I had to stop dead to avoid a collision.

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  Trail Blazer! Great car to drive! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By electron bill - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had it a short time, but my 2003 Trail Blazer is really fun to drive. Its my first SUV; now I know why theyre so popular. My wife really likes it and I got the thumbs up from all my kids (in and out of college). The folks at Metro Chevrolet did an outstanding job of customer follow-up.

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  From an ex-Porsche owner - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Clay Thomasson - March 29 - 3:56 pm

  My first Corvette was a 1960 fuel injected red on red with stainless side body insert. Boy I wish I had it now. I then had a 1969. It was just so so. I have had Porsche 911s for the past ten years and have just taken delivery of my new 2005 Corvette hardtop. I cannot believe how this car has been improved. I believe they fixed everything that caused me to not purchase one since 1969. It is as hot as a firecracker and loads of fun to drive. The craftsmanship quality of the car is up 100%.

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  Good solid car - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
  By dirtworker - March 29 - 11:00 am

  I bought the car new and have put 10000 miles on it in a month. i live in Houston Texas and have not had any problems on the freeways. With ethanol blend gas I have got up to 38 mile to the gallon. The only thing I have had a problem with is the tire pressure sensor failing in one tire and having to go to the dealer for repair. The car has excellent visability and is very comfortable. I have spinal cord damage from a previous wreck and can drive for several hours with no discomfort thanks to the lumbar support and height adjustable driverseat. I was driving Toyota cars and since getting the Malibu i wont go back. I wish I had waited to get the new body type but I am very pleased so far.

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  Love My M&Ms BLU - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By M&MsBLULoveIt - March 29 - 8:46 am

  The car is fun to the max and is a great value. It is like blue M&Ms. Very unexpected and heavenly to the senses! I got mine loaded, and one of the few Laser Blue 2005s in my area, anyway. The other colors were kind of dull but I would have bought one anyway for the features I got for the money. I had a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix I traded for it. I was longing for the pep of my V6 1999 Grand AM. The Max LT more than fills the bill.

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  Wow what a car! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By amg04monte - March 29 - 4:53 am

  This car is just awesome. My lease was up on my 2004 Monte Carlo SS supercharged and I was looking for a 4 door car. Well I found one! This car turns so well, and is sooo comfortable inside. I love the dashboard layout, the odometer is cool how it lights up, and I love all the secret compartments. The cupholders are great and I dont have to worry about my drinks falling over anymore. Im still getting used to the 4-cyl power but its actually not too bad. I have gotten so many compliments on this car already and I have only had it a week! If you are hesistant to buy this car dont be you will be pleasantly surprised!

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  The perfect Teen car - 1994 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ESAPOZ - March 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is just amazing. Fun to drive and the perfect size. The perfect car for teens. Fuel economy is average to poor, but the car is worth it.