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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  too goog - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By g-dawg - August 6 - 2:00 am

  this car is a winner amongst losers

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  Electron Blue Convertible - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Ronny - August 6 - 2:00 am

  This review is easy due to the fact that I love everything about this car. The ride is exhilarating! The feeling you get with the top down is incredible. I look forward to the weekends just to drive my car. This is my second Vette and I will definitely buy more in the future. MAKE SURE your dealer takes out the spacers before you take delivery or test drive your Vette!! Mine were left in and it was like riding in a tank for the first week!.

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  Fabulous - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Shara - August 6 - 2:00 am

  I just came back from a 6000+ miles trip & the car performed flawlessly. The comfort was marvelous. I knew the car would turn over each time I started it. Gas mileage was 30 miles per gallon. What more can you ask from a quality automobile. And waves from people you dont know & the smiles it puts on others faces, of course mine has one all of the time.

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  Electron Blue Coupe - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 2002electronblue - August 6 - 2:00 am

  Performance is fantastic. Color is great, sorry it was discontinued for 2004. Just did a long trip and averaged 27.6 mpg both highway and local.

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  Happy American - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By happy american - August 5 - 11:43 am

  I have brought a few American cars that have left me disappointed. After reading the reviews for the Malibu, I decided to give them one more try. Well I am extremely satisfied as well as impressed that it looks like Chevrolet really got it right. This car is loaded with plenty of cool options, is extremely fun and comfortable to drive. The looks are really nice as well. I got the jewel red color and it really sets off the car nicely. I am getting around 28 mpg avg which is great in the current economic times is really great. I highly recommed you at least test drive one of these cars if you are in the market for a mid size sedan.

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  Meh - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By IndyBuyer - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car off the lot back in 05. I take good care of my car and my wife occasionally drives it on the highway only. I have had the back seat levers break, my trunk release works only when it feels like it - which is great if you go to the grocery store and it decides not to work. The drivers side seat frame broke at 2 welds and is now a rocking chair ($517.97 for the part alone - no tax or installation) and the drivers side door lock only locks and unlocks manually. I had to purchase new key chain units as well due to the 2 that came with the car breaking when new batteries had to be installed. DVD player stopped working and car always pulls to the left despite 4 alignments.

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  Its been a great little truck - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jimb - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Do regular maintenance and any vehicle will last. Well-powered with high-end V6 & manual trans, rides nicely, just enough cargo room (LS/Extended cab) and looks good (black w/silver trim). Bought in 98 with 46K miles, now has about 80K. W/Wiper recall was long overdue, but other than that its been a joy to own & drive (when my wife lets me).

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  Great Car - 1990 Chevrolet Caprice
  By capriclassy - August 5 - 2:00 am

  This is my first car. It hasnt many problems at all. Right now the valve seals are being replaced however. This car is very long, i dont recommend anyone who is starting to drive to take this car. Turning can sometimes be hard because of the length of the car..and some people dont understand. Extremely safe too, ive ran into poles going 10km/h and absolutely nothing happened to the car! I get only 16MPG however.

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  Good Truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By Dllusr396 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Good all around truck

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  Immortal Z28 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By ryandanzey - August 5 - 2:00 am

  This car brings a smile to my face just looking at it...When I am behind the wheel its even better.