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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  Z24 Coupe - Great Value - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Neuromancer - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this American Model car up here in Canada. Runs very strong and has been very reliable. I find the fit and finish to be less that what my previous car had, but was to be expected with an American car in this price range. Good fuel economy despite having a sporty, and admittedly eager to be beaten, 2.4L powerplant. Performance is on par with my old Civic SiR and interior is just as comfortable. I guess time will tell if this car is as reliable as the Honda was. My only big complaint is that the braking system is complete garbage. Everything turns to mush when driven hard, and the rears not having discs reminds me of other ten year old cars.

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  Great car - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By D Basney - June 20 - 12:40 am

  Why pay more? This is a great car. It has a terrific sound and communications package, rides quiet and smooth and is fun to drive. Ive had cars that cost twice as much that couldnt hold a candle to this car. Well done GM! A great value.

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  Maxwell - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By madmaxx - June 19 - 10:00 am

  Very pleased with the car to this point. Drives and rides smoothly around town. Just back from a weekend 600 mile trip and the car performed well at all speeds up to 75. Negatives are the cruise control speed which varies too much. Also, they need to do something with the catch on the rear moon roof visors which will suddenly retract when a window is opened while the car is moving.

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  2004 maxx a good step forward - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By kurt w - June 19 - 10:00 am

  A nice translation of the SAAB "EPISLON" platform into a new USA Hatchback, the Maxx is a well executed "extended sedan" that is a good family hauler or freeway cruiser. It did well in crash tests, handles rough roads with aplomb, accelerates well without guzzling gas, and has better fit and finish than many more expensive cars. Some cheapness in the rear trim, a poor cruise control, seats that are too narrow in back, and other first year misses keep it from knocking off Honda or Toyota just yet. But probably one of the best medium size cars out there.

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  Good Corsica-Years Left - 1990 Chevrolet Corsica
  By angelfire8105 - June 19 - 2:00 am

  This has been my first car. It had about 33,000 miles on it when I received it and havent put too many on it. The paint job is easily its biggest problem - and even that isnt too bad. The car still "purrs" like when I first got it, runs well, and uses gasoline efficiently! This is a very, very sturdy car and has a few good years left in it!

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  Buy a Mustang - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Stangowner - June 19 - 2:00 am

  It was a great car at first. But then the brakes started to squeal. I was find with that until I was driving down the high way and the engine died. I couldnt get it started again, so i just got rid of it and got my self a Mustang GT. I suggest you do the same.

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  Great Choice? Oh Yeah! - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By DanMeyers99 - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Prior to buying the Tahoe, I drove every competing model (Ford/Toyota/Dodge). Hands down I liked the Tahoe the best (ride, comfort,ameneties, price, etc.). So far, I love it! Everything else I looked at was over-priced for the total value I was getting in return and the Chevy was just too good compared to the others to pass up. Funny thing, Ive never owned and American car/truck before and this Chevy Tahoe impresses the heck out of me every time I sit in it. Just awesome!

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  Excellent value - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By gopdomer - June 18 - 2:00 am

  I couldnt be happier with this car. I paid $15,400 and its been a beautiful car with absolute reliability.

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  very nice car - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By sam jones - June 18 - 2:00 am

  very nice car.excellent gas mileage,and good performance.nice exterior design.no problems in four years.

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  Good with the bad - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By J,MD - June 18 - 2:00 am

  Last year my wife and I found a used 1996 base model with a V-6. Often we take it down to our parents home in south Florida. In the past three months repairs have started popping up like crazy. Voltage regulator 350 Low beams went out 60 Serpintine belt and the waterpump quit 250 Two weeks ago the fuelpumps check valve failed. The fuel module which includes the pump, sending unit, and check valve. Translated-Chevy charges 406 for the part alone, and by the way the new Camaro has the fuel pump INSIDE the fuel tank. That was 4.9 hours in labor. 847 Done by Chevy with a lifetime warranty.