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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  Its all I had hoped and more - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Firemansgirl - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Only have 6,700 miles on my car or so, but so far so good. I bought this after owning a Lumina Euro for 7 years. Keep up the good work Chevy! Great gas mileage and since the LS didnt look much different than the SS I get a break on insurance as well but still a fine lookin ride. WOO HOO! The only thing Id change is the color...big dummy I got yet another black car and man is it a pain to keep clean!

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  This car is pure junk - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By JulieKay - November 7 - 10:00 am

  after only six months it is now sitting back at the dealership and has been for two weeks with the transmission out of it, the steering shakes and something is wrong with the brakes and the heater control switches are broke for my first new car i bought a pure lemon

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  What Happened - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Rico83 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I have had my car all of four months and I have had to replace both rear signal lights, my car has stalled and all before I even put 7K on the car. If this continues I may have to get another car soon.

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  Nice Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By JAD - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Nice truck and fun to drive. Lots of options. Rides smooth, you would think your in a Caddy.

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  Great 7 Passenger Vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Tom Friedel - November 7 - 5:20 am

  I must admit, I love the Trailblazer. It is not fun to drive considering it is like an oversize station wagon, but it does ride smooth like a car which is a big plus. I dont know where all the gas mileage figures are coming from. The sticker says 15 city. Someone mentioned they obtained 15 in the city. We do not pull a trailer, drive very conservatively, have clean filters etc and are lucky to get 13 mpg in the city. This is unacceptable for a straight 6 engine. GM - Where is your competitive crossover vehicle for the 7 passenger Toyota Highlander?? The build quality is good. The vehicle drives nice, has plenty of torque and the 4x4 is great for hunting.

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  Love it - 1996 Chevrolet Suburban
  By G. Garrison - November 7 - 2:00 am

  Due to an accident I had to make a quick decision and buy a used vehicle in a very short amount of time. I found my Suburban at a small road side dealer and couldnt believe the shape it was in. I took ownership of the truck and drove it 1000 miles to Missouri from Florida THAT DAY without a hitch, burp or hiccup. What an amazing vehicle. I was especially impressed with the fuel mileage I got. Almost 17 on the open road loaded. Lots of room and more power than I could have hoped for. I am very happy with my 96 and will keep it until it finally dies. If this is any idication or future performance, Im going to have it a very long time.

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  1999 Chevorlet, Cavilier - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Elizabeth Pullum - November 7 - 2:00 am

  To whom it may concern: To let you know that my car has been a great service to me and still going strong.

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  To know love is to own a Z28 - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By RayB - November 7 - 2:00 am

  Although my Z28 is a garage kept weekends and sunny days ride she is the second one I have owned and this is an awesome car. GM does it right a owner of this car isnt concerned about a pretty interior or lots of useless gadgets. The money is spent on performance and handling. If you want comfort, practical and luxry this car isnt for you - if you want high performance, this car is for you.

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  reliable four door - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Scott4 - November 7 - 2:00 am

  no mechanical problems. only had to change oil and replace brake pads

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  10000 mi and still OK - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jcsmith - November 7 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy the vehicle. It drives like a sedan and is remarkably quiet. The sound system is excellent but, even boom boxes store more than six CDs. So far, the only faults are an outside temperature gage failing and a piece of trim at the bottom of one of the rear seats was loose.