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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  Luxury but very sporty - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By darrell - October 4 - 2:00 am

  suspension and handling is bueatiful

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  USA #1 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Rob Kopar - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Very powerful with a smooth ride excellent stereo with convenient features, folding power heated mirrors are great, stock goodyears very good in snow and ice. Friends say it rides like a cadillac

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  3.1 gives great milage - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Tom - October 3 - 12:50 am

  I drove this as a co car since new. Bought it back from Co. at 140,000 miles Always had it serviced by Curt Warner Chev of Van.,WA. I now change the oil/filters. Took trip to Wisconsin this summer and got great mileage. Avg total trip was 30mpg. Never had problems other than normal battery replacements, radiator flush, fuel pump replaced. (in tank preventative.) Change oil every 3000 miles for sure. Keep good tires, brakes, and alignment. Great car.

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  Great SUV! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By M. Cleveland - October 2 - 4:51 pm

  We traded in an 06 Cadillac DTS this rides every bit as smooth. Retired, but wanted the room to haul things - its sort of our "car/truck". Lots of cargo space. Love the Bose sound system, great bass! Remote rear hatch is convenient & the fact we can change it to manual which allows us to open in the garage. The head rests were uncomfortable but just turned them around and theyre fine. Cup holders are nice size storage areas are adequate. Fuel economy is good considering my DH doesnt do gradual stops and tends to lead foot on take off even then were getting avg. 20 mpg city/hwy. A 75 mi. trip of 60 & 75 mph combined, averaged 26mpg. and a 158 mi hilly day trip-avgd 22 mpg.

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  One Cool Car - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By Richard in Murrieta - October 2 - 3:51 pm

  I bought this car VERY inexpensively under the C4C program only 2 criteria: get the least expensive car I could find in one weekend, and get a car with adequate head room (Im 63"). I am pleasantly surprised with this stylish car I bought the aqua-blue one). It reminds me of those big-eyed Chevron cars in the ads--very cute. My wife calls it a "Minnie Mouse" car. Its a bit slow, but does well for a 2.2L 4-banger with good EPA mileage.

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  Somebody didnt hear about THAT - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By RLene Mulkey - October 2 - 2:07 pm

  Somebody said the Honda Accord has better resale. Somebody else said the Nissan has better technology and that the Ford Fusion is a FORD and more reliable. My Malibu has a 4 cyl 6 speed automatic transmission that feels supercharged, while it sips away at the gas with 33 mpg on the hwy. The body style, interior, and technological conveniences are absolutely beautiful! It is quiet, smooth, a lovely environment in which to drive. I am more than satisfied with this GM product, which was made in Kansas City, USA. Better than Honda, Nissan or Ford on the test drive, price, and economy to operate. Guess Somebody didnt hear about THAT!

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  My Monte SS - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Pierre Blais - October 2 - 11:33 am

  First of all I picked the Monte Carlo SS because I love driving and around my area there are many winding country roads which makes this car a lot of fun to drive. Softer suspensions are no fun at all on these kinds of roads. The power of this car makes it easy to to pass slower moving traffic and is also quite economical on highways. Even though I am 59 I feel 30 driving this car. It is very comfortable when driving on highways or other smooth road surfaces.I usually change cars every 4 years but I will be keeping this one much longer. This is my best and most fun to drive car Ive ever had. Quite a switch from 2 Malibus in a row to this car.

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  Great Car - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Greg - October 1 - 4:58 pm

  We have owned this Mailbu for 5 months and love it. People constantly come up and compliment the car. I have owned several GM cars and I cannot understand why some people dont like them. They have all been good cars with lots of miles on them. However this Malibu is the best yet. I get well over 30 MPG on the highway and 23-25 in the city. Remote start is great...

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  Dale Jr signature series - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Donnamaria56 - September 30 - 10:00 am

  best car we have had!!!!!its a beauty!!!

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  A Senior with a Desire for Sporty - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Reallyreal - September 30 - 10:00 am

  Am a senior tired of the expected style for seniors. Love the handling, convenience, selection and dependability of the Colorado. Have the 5 cyl, extended cab which is not avail on the selection for this survey. Love it.