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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  So many problems.... - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By briq4 - May 31 - 2:00 am

  Leaking power steering hose alternator went squeaking sway bar bushings water leaks brakes last about 10K Squeaky brakes Alignment problems Tires wore prematurely Body Panel Alighnment fit and finish is sub par

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  MAXX vs PRIUS - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By MAXX - May 30 - 8:46 pm

  I did my extensive homework on the Malibu Maxx LT, Civic and Prius hybrids. I test drove them all. I was fighting the fuel economy thing so you would think one of the two hybrids would win me over, well for the power, safety, standard features, and available options, the Malibu kept on winning me over. The 2005 model has all the safty features my family needs, and rear DVD, adjustable foot pedals, sunroof, moonroof, reclining rear seats, remote auto start, XM Radio, On-Star, and of course the great fuel economy. The sticker on this car said 22 city/30 hwy, but I feel like I am getting at least that. That is good compared to the price and options on the other two.

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  New car - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By saintsbbal - May 30 - 5:40 am

  My Aveo is a nice vehicle for my purposes. I get great gas mileage. It handles well on the highway. It doesnt blow the doors off of anyone, but its got a little zip once it gets going. My only complaint is the steering pulls to the left a little.

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  Reliability and econonmy rules. - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Pitchpine - May 30 - 2:00 am

  As a long time owner of a Toyota Corrola (12 years, 180,000 miles), with amazing reliability (well, theres the alternator...)I wouldnt buy anything else -- except a Corrola clone Prizm. With current rebates (as of late May 2002) of 3K, an AMAZING bargain, for those who just want a good solid, comfortable inexpensive and highly reliable economy car. A great car for those who dont buy a car as an extension of their personality or intimate body parts, but to get places without hassle.

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  TAHOE -STABILITY - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By GUMMI BEAR - May 30 - 2:00 am

  ON ROUGH ROADS THE TAHOE IS HORRID. I SUSPECT THE DESIGN IS POOR AS ON ANY ROAD WHERE ONE FINDS ROUGH ROADS THE CAR LOOSES ITS ABILITY TO STEER PROPERLY. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING AND AM CONVINCED THAT THE TAHOE IS A BAD DESIGN.IT IS A SCARY THING TO DRIVE ON BAD ROADS

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  I like it A LOT! - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By This is ME - May 30 - 2:00 am

  I am 17 years old. I Have always liked the 3rd Generation bady style, I think the 98s and above are not really very appealing at all that is why i went with the 30th anniversary 1977 edition. It is Metallic silve. A V6 3.8 i love it. 5 speed manuel

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  love it - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By beigheye - May 30 - 2:00 am

  You feel safe, it is a cute car, and everything is designed for the drivers convience. Great value car.

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  Fiest HHR in Austin, Tx. - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By BigG - May 29 - 2:03 pm

  I bought the HHR right after it hit the showroom floor. LS with 2.2L 5 speed, side airbags and ABS. The ride is outstanding and I cannot believe how well this car/truck is put together. The ride is quiet, 2.2l accelerates quite well, and it holds speed on hills, all while returning 30 MPG. Handles great on interstate and is very stable at our 70 MPH speed limits in TX. I currently have around 1700 miles on the car. If the HHR is an indication of the type of vehicle that GM will be building, then their market share should definetly turn around. Engineeing overruled the bean counters on this one.

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  We got you beat!!! - 1993 Chevrolet Astro
  By john does - May 29 - 2:00 am

  The short story is We have 211,000 miles on our van. I have put in little more than a battery,ignition module, and front bushing. Less than $1,000.00 has been invested and she is still strong.

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  00 S-10 Review - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Cuevl - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Chevy S-10 pickup based on the experiences I have heard from friends and family. It has lived up to it reputiation for being reliable and economical. The 4-cyl engine is not the strongest but very efficient. I dont pull trailers or haul heavy things on a regular basis, it is all light duty work that I have done and the Chevy S-10 has worked out perfectly for the job. I also have taken a few trips and have enjoyed the high mpg. I have not had any problems and plan to have the truck for a while!