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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  Nothing Special - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Curry - November 16 - 8:50 am

  We bought this with $5000 in incentives from GM. The 2.9L engine is too small and even though this truck is a 4cyl the truck has to work too hard and gas mileage is terrible for a truck this size. It isnt much better in mileage than my 2005 double cab V8 Tundra. Acceleration is also terrible. There is plenty of leg room which is nice. A negative to this truck is there no storage console, just a cup holder. Also, the back windows in the extra cab dont open at all. Overall, this was a disappointing truck. Well be sticking with Toyota vehicles from here on out.

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  Nice Car - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By John - November 15 - 7:28 pm

  I test drove a lot of cars and wanted best bang for my buck. This car runs great and gets great gas mileage (around 26 average/30 highway). Bought it with 70k and only put brakes and rotors. Did it myself for 80 bucks. I have 86k on it now and have had no problems. I have two kids and they fit in car seats in the back with no problem and have plenty of trunk space to boot. I tinted the windows and the car looks great and runs fantastic. People who ride in it cant believe it is a Malibu. Great car.

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  250000 miles and going strong - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sue - November 15 - 9:26 am

  Bought this as a demo with 13,000 miles. There has not been a day when this car has not started. Not garage kept and tolerates midwestern winters great. Brakes have been done 3 or 4 times, blower resister just replaced last week, was only blowing on 5. $20 part. Oil changed every 5000-10,000 miles...97% highway driven. Avg 25- 29mpg. Power window switch replaced this past summer (about $100). Husband complained when I purchased 60000 mile tires when car had 160000 mies on it. Bought another set at 222000 miles. Only rust is around gas cap. Serpentine belt has been replaced once, unfortunately, not a do it yourself job. Just hoping I can find another car this dependable.

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  2011 Camaro - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Pat Rollins - November 15 - 7:52 am

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  Got my moneys worth - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jack Kallenbach - November 14 - 10:03 am

  I bought this car new in 2000. It has been a very good car. No major mechanical problems,only normal wear and tare. Everything still works. Uses no oil. It still drives and rides well. The car is kind of basic compared to some others. Nothing fancy, but less to go wrong. The performance is quite acceptable. Its not a muscle car, but it has enough power. I even pull a small trailer. The pushrod V6 turns fewer RPM at highway speeds than more modern overhead cam engines. But because of the low RPM, you seldom hear any engine noise unless you are really standing on the gas. Fuel economy is decent. What struck me most about this car is that the car feels like a larger car than it really is

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  Bad car - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Dan.G - November 14 - 7:36 am

  I can"t beleive it was built by GM. Ive always had Chevys but this is the last! Foreign next. Bought it at 137000 klms for a good price privately. The first drive to license it the fuel pump went. The very next time driving at night the headlights flickered, had to change the alternator. The power door locks dont work either, rear window wiper too, evap sensor on the gas tank, then the wipers stay in the up position when theyre off, and the last is the airbag light is on as well. I only have 140,000 on it now, just waiting for the intake gasket to leak now. Oh also the blower motor resistor went and only have heat in high.

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  Great Truck - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By W Daly - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Great truck on the highway, cruising the interstates with ease and comfort. 20 mpg on the road and highway speeds but a little short in the city due to the big hp. Interior is comfortable on long trips. Back and forth to Myrtle Beach non-stop except for gas and a snack and no physical problems from the seating. Passengers (3) had no complaints whatsoever.

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  Needs more gas! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Fredly75 - November 14 - 2:00 am

  I love the vehicle. Its comfortable, easy on the eyes, and goes when I need it to go. Mama loves driving it back and forth to work. My only complaint: needs a bigger gas tank, short legs, especially when towing.

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  So far so good...I guess? - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By metalcrawler - November 13 - 1:57 pm

  I just got this car not too long ago. I was pretty impressed at first and after the haze of a "new car" went away I am still pleased. The dual climate control is interesting but not a must have. I love the trunk space and the roomy interior. The computer system that displays oil life, temperature, tire pressure, and etc. is a cool gadget. Love the remote start. The gas peddal felt a little stiff because I am used to a 4 cylinder. I like the chrome accents and so far no problems. The factory speakers are kind of weak and the drivers side leg room could be increased in the future. I tried out an 2004 Chevy Classic before I got this car and it was a huge improvement!

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  2008 Impala SS - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mack McKlemurry - November 13 - 11:16 am

  While this car is not only fun to drive, as well as get into a little. I really appreciate the gas mileage when the MDS kicks in and your only running on 4 cylinders. I average 28 mpg per tank and thats with a little fun thrown in. Additionally, I found out that the 5.0 Pony car can not keep up on the top end on a good interstate.