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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  Feels and looks more European - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Francisco Corrales - September 6 - 2:00 am

  The new Malibu feels and looks much more substantial than the previous model. The LS V6 has a spirited feel and is quick and agile. Even though it lacks the power of the V6 Accord, Altima and Camry in terms of horsepower it feels sporty and capable. Before buying this car, I test drove all three other models and could not convince myself to spend nearly 30 thousand dollars for the imports. Also, I have driven my car over 10,000 miles in three months and have had no mechanical, or any defects despite hard driving conditions in the mountainous regions of the desert Southwest and heavy traffic of Phoenix and Los Angeles.

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  its just perfect - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By SUSANNA - September 6 - 2:00 am

  this car cuts corners at 40mph perfectly, not that i do that all the time...the ride is very smooth. The audio is great. Long travel trips are perfect in this car!

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  WE LOVE IT! - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By LJMESTE - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I have owned other SUVs but I will never drive anything else.

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  love it - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By coolrig - September 6 - 2:00 am

  great use it for just about everything

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  PETES SUBURBAN - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By pwpote - September 6 - 2:00 am

  MY SUBURBAN IS ONE OF THE BEST VEHICLES THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED IT HAS EXCELLENT LUGGAGE SPACE, PLENTY FOR FOUR GOLFERS AND ALL THEIR LUGGAGE FOR AN EXCELLENT GOLF VACATION. FUEL ECONOMY IS SO-SO WITH 15 MPG ALL AROUND AND 18 MPG HIGHWAY...I WOULD BUY ANOTHER

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  The Best! - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Marilynn - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful vehicle if you have a need for a lot of passengers, take kids to college or like to travel in comfort. This is my second Suburban and it wont be my last!

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  0 - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By GD2fast4u - September 6 - 2:00 am

  none, car is just ok, gas hog

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  BEST ALL AROUND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By GEORGE SELBY - September 6 - 2:00 am

  WHEN LOOKING FOR A SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE THAT ANSWER OUR FAMILYS NEEDS WE DECIDED ON THE SURBURBAN. #1 GOOD LOOKS #2 GOOD RECCOMENDATIONS FROM FRIENDS WHO OWNED THEM #3 ROOM FOR OUR FAMILY ACTIVITIES, SPORTS,GOING TO AND FROM THE BEACH HOUSE AND HUNTING TRIPS #4 SAFETY, I FEEL THIS SUV PROVIDES MORE SAFETY TO MY FAMILY WHEN ARE ON THE HIGHWAY

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  BEST - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By lkghdf - September 6 - 2:00 am

  THird ONE they are the BEST

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  the best - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By wmfweb - September 6 - 2:00 am

  this is my 6th suburban and their is no comparison to the suv want-a-bes the chev suburban is by far the best and safest suv. its longer wheel base provides a solid base and stability. i drive to florida and it beats taking the plane or train. i just plane love the vehicle