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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  1st time minivanner and joyed about it - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By amos jamos - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Just bought our venture because a 3rd youngster is on the way. Extremely pleased with the venture that bested out the caravan and the odyssey. The cornering stability is suprising and the engine, while conservative, is enough to power the luxurious cabin. This may be my first car I can sleep in while traveling. Only complaint is the gas mileage, UGH! Kudos Chevy (from a Ford man)!

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  Good, Fun Car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By nizzy23 - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased this vehicle not too long ago. I had a 97 Cavalier and it was ok. This one is a 2003 LS Sport Coupe. It is a blast to drive and the exterior styling is pretty nice. The interior is nothing to get excited about but that is ok.

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  Isnt reliability supposed to be bad? - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Nathan P. - December 30 - 2:00 am

  As I understood things I was told, when you buy inexpensive American cars, the ease of finding replacement parts was only good in that it offset the frequency of the repairs you would need. Not true. In 2000, I leased a Cav for three years, and didnt have a single problem other than a flat tire. I was happy enough with the lease, that I bought a new one in 2003. It remains an easy-to-drive, easy-to- maintain vehicle. Im also pleasantly surprised by the roominess of the drivers seat. Im 63, and big the other way too, and I have no trouble fitting into the drivers seat. I can even stretch my legs a bit without pushing the pedals.

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  year end appraisal - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By antine - December 30 - 2:00 am

  great vehicle, makes going to Home Depot before going out to dinner fun instead of a hastle

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  Is it a Malibu or Lexus - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By DonnaTops - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Valet runners frequently say that my Gold Package Loaded Black LexusS with sunroof is just outside the door. Chevrolet has made a great car with luxury styling at a super low price. A Best Value.

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  Tahoe - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By lilskimo - December 30 - 2:00 am

  My 2002 Tahoe has been everything I expected. Even with the smaller engine it has great pickup even on the freeway. The standard package provides so much comfort there is no need to add any extras.

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  As the add says, "LIKE A ROCK" - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jenga - December 30 - 2:00 am

  The Tahoe blows away the competition (Expedition, Landcruiser, etc. with their wimpy 230hp engines). The 5.3L engine is a MUST have over the standard 4.8. Interior qualities and features are very adequate regardless of "spotty build quality" often described by J.D. Power and other groups - what do they expect? Its a TRUCK for cryin out loud! My 1st ever large vehicle/SUV and Im committed for life as long as Chevy maintains their quality standard. Hats off to "MOTOR CITY" for a job well done!

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  Questionable on the quality - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Huntsman - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I enjoyed the ride and comfort of my Silverado LT, but it seems to have a real problem in the electronics department. 4 wheel drive and fuel sensors have gone out twice ($750 fuel sensor replace). Not sure I would buy another.

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  Best Buy Chev Impala LS - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Garo - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I am so pleased with this vehicle that I will replace this with a new Impala LS with the added Sport Package which resembles the Corvette backend lighting. Great gas mileage, both on the road and in town. Super powertrain.

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  Great Car - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By JoHanna - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Impala back in Sept of 2002. I owned a Cavalier before but I needed more room,truck space and a little more power. The Impala seemed like the best buy for the price plus the safty rating were pretty good. I drive a lot of miles and I really enjoyed driving it. If something happened to it I would buy another one in a second.