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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  Should I even swiitch? - 1991 Chevrolet Caprice
  By Chev Fan - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I own a 1991 Caprice. I am about to own a 1996 Buick Roadmaster if I think it will be as good a car as the Caprice. My Caprice gets 31mpg. No lie!!! My only complaint about the Caprice is the drivers sea. Its not a power one on this model and because I am only 52 i have to use a seat cushion so I can see over the dash. I also dont find the seat comfortable on drives longer than 1/2 hour. Ive been told the Buick will fix that. The car has 370,000km on it and the only thing not working is the A/C. The engine has never been opened up, burns no oil. Im only considering switching because of the newer year and the power seats.

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  Mid-80s GM Crap Carry-Over - 1992 Chevrolet Beretta
  By VonBounden - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Every little plastic nob came off in my hand or broke completely. The e- brake came off the shaft once as it was only held on by a single little screw. The shocks were so soft and the suspension so undersprung, you could drive it around a corner at 20mph and the fuel pump couldnt get enough gas to keep the engine running because it leaned so heavily. It had the GM-Paint Disease, where the EPA mandated paint wasnt properly matched to the primer and began to wash off. This is a rust-free car, mind you. Horribly underpowered breaks. Paper- plate speakers produce a lovely timberless sound quality that can turn even your favorite song into dreadful noise.

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  2nd s-10 crew - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By kiddkat - September 6 - 2:00 am

  this is my second s-10 crew cab 1st one being 2001, all around good truck plenty of power, also added torneau cover improves gas milage for me considerably. a good buy for the $$ good resale value. the 2003 ive had for about 3 weeks and its the same as the first even in color (pewter). great cd/cassette stereo. tows my 4 wheelers with ease you dont need a full size. i would by a third one in a heartbeat.

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  Fun Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Shawn Naus - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love this truck. It is fun to get in and out of it with the solid feel of the doors. The front seats are very comfortable, I have the felt feeling seats which are very cushy. All coponents are easy to reach and it feels very trucky from the driver seat. The gas milage shocked me, she is a very thirsty vehicle for a small block V-6. I believe it may be due to the rear wheel drive.

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  A surprise car! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By derks - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I was originally looking for a bigger car but after the test drive in the Aveo, I was hooked! This car is so much fun to drive and I was soo surprised by how the small engine provides good performance. I was also surprised by the amount of interior space, I thought it would be small by looking at the car from the outside.

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  Great Car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Cherryk24 - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had my car for a month now, but its great! Gas mileage is excellent, the ride is quiet, and the car is safe and confortable. Its even big enough to fit my snowboard in the back! Great price too!

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  Sleeper Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Nameless - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Just picked up the car. Roughly 500 mi on it now. It has excellent power with great fuel economy. We got the LT loaded with nearly every option including DVD. The kids love it. (My daughter especially likes the "warm bottom seats", my son the DVD) This car is a "sleeper". Kind of boring on the outside but absolutely packed with every possible feature on the inside. The Malibu will be my wifes car. She believes it has all the features of her previous Honda Accord with none of the negatives. She is also more concerned with function over style and in pure functionality this car shines well above the others in the mid-size "pack"

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  I Love My Car - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Beckie - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I enjoy driving my car. It handles the curves real well. I get awsome gas mileage both in town and on the highway. It is a spprty looking car, but is big enough to ride comfortably in it. This car as a lot of get up and go. Its great!

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  I had questions?? - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jdspcm - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I was a little reluctent - going into a less expensive car - I always had more expensive or foreign autos. I was wrong - this Malibu is all and more than I thought it would be!! We loaded this auto up with, almost everything GM offed, it is great. It handles as good as my Audi A4 at half the price!! Excellent power and ride. What a good choice we made - Very Happy.

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  Poor Quality - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Concerned Buyer - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This Malibu has been out-of-service four times in four months for engine component defects and power steering defect. Some initial interior problems as well.