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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  Great Car - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Great Car - November 2 - 2:03 pm

  I love this car. The styling is great, and the quality is appropriate for this price point. Cant beleive that this car is under $20K. I love the night lighting in the cabin and the enclosed cup holders. The movable arm rest was a nice surprize. This car had some great designers as they thought of everything. There is a rubber patch where your keys hang so there is no banging against hard plastic. Storage everywhere that is easily accesable to the driver. I got this car as a replacement to a 2006 Lemon Pontiac G6. Would never go back.

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  Another Good Car That GM Never Marketed - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Paul - November 2 - 10:33 am

  We needed to replace a 1993 VW Passat wagon. I found an off-lease 2005 Malibu Maxx V6 with only 20,000 miles, and was able to get it for only $12,000. We have had it for 1,000 miles, and so far, very impressive. Huge cargo capacity with seats down. 33-34 mpg on highway with AC on; 30 mpg in mixed driving, with odometer validated on a measured mile! Easy to drive, very spacious, great stereo, easy to use controls. For the price, it is quite a package. Its a real shame that GM never marketed the car, and now is changing it to another overpriced sedan with complex OHC engine and worse mpgs, and also forcing you to buy an SUV even if you only occasionally need a hatchback.

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  Its been 7 years... - 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By monza305 - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for seven years, this should be the last winter before I get a new car this spring. Looking back I think Ill probably miss it. It has decent power, especially with the manual trans. It can be fun to drive too. But Ive had problems too. The motor started knocking at 100,000. (I know its not an uncommon problem for all GM 3.1 in the first couple years.) I also blew a head gasket (on the new motor). Other than that, its been a good car.

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  My Camaro Is One Fine Automobile - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Newk - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I always wanted a Camaro eversince the time I got out of the service. But college, marrage and kids put a damper on it. But this V6 Camaro will go down as one of my best reliable cars and with 113,000 miles it still runs strong, not a rattle, and paint looks great. GM really did a number on themselves when they stopped making this car.

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  Great Car - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By electronbluecoupe - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car for about 6 months. Bone stock it has neck snapping acceleration and great handling. The body style is fantastic. Virtually rattle free and very comfortable to drive daily. Storage space is great (have made a couple trips to Sams Club). Gas mileage has averaged just under 25 - quite the economy car! You MUST talk the wife into letting you get one.

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  Love it! - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Matt - November 1 - 11:06 am

  I really like my new Silverado. What a great truck! It feels so crisp. The interior feels so spacious and solid. Very quiet ride, and fairly comfortable considering the 20" wheels. It could use some integrated blind spot mirrors, though. The power is good. Not as much as my old Titan that was a rocket out of the hole. But its stong and smooth. No squeaks. The dash looks great and the seats are very comfortable. The truck has so many features and creature comforts. Ample storage for the front. Could be better compartmentized for rear passangers.

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  Not so poor mans Escalade - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ANDRE - November 1 - 5:56 am

  Ive driven many luxury cars and trucks with greater names than the Tahoe but this truck ranks among them for comfort and design. Its a not so poor mans Escalade.

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  Great Car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Debra - November 1 - 5:00 am

  I love this car. It has lots of useable room for its size, and no problem with blind spots. I get much better gas mileage than the EPA estimate--24 city, 31-38 highway. This is a truly fun car that is loaded with features. The whole family (including 2 teenage girls) love it, except my husband, who is a big man and has trouble getting in and out.

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  Good Vechile - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Sheet Shaker - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I would buy a brand new one!!

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  transmission - 1996 Chevrolet Astro
  By poohbear12 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  So far the astro van has been pretty good for our family. It has helped us move 2 times. The interior is very roomy. The only bad part has been the transmission. It has gone out on me once already and seems like it is getting ready to do it again. Luckily I do have a warranty on the repairs done. Also I have replaced the 02 sensors twice.