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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  Great Job Chevy - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jeff - February 13 - 1:06 am

  Chevrolet hit the mark with the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu! Fuel economy is averaging highway and city 24. The interior was designed with comfort and plenty of storage niches. The exterior design is sleek and eye catching. Ample trunk space for all your goods and quiet interior.

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  Mad Maxx - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By kim - February 12 - 8:43 pm

  We bought our Maxx when gas prices were near 5 dollars a gallon. Downsized from a minivan. While we miss the room of the minivan we loved this vehicle. Great gas mileage! With the hatchback we could still fit a great amount of equipment and home repair supplies in the back. Both rear seats fold down. Great car for the kids to learn to drive in. Great handling, fun to drive, good quality and reliability. Safety features are fantastic....totaled it with bilateral front airbag deployment. Walked away with just a bruise and sore muscles. No contact with the airbag due to the adjustable gas and break pedals. Too bad they arent making this model anymore. Looking for another used one to buy.

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  Awesome Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By phillips61 - February 12 - 4:46 am

  This is one great truck, I looked at the Toyota but it was no comparison to the Chevrolet. The styling and handling are great. The LTZ is loaded feels like a Cadillac not a truck. We took it down to Bristol this summer and the mileage was better then expected (22-24mpg). Finally drove it in the snow and the stability control and ABS are great, my wife loves these safety features.

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  Great little car! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By redwitch - February 11 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned! It is roomie inside, handles wtih ease, it can do 70 without skipping a beat. It has an awesome sound system with mp3 player, power everything. I would highly recommend this car to anyone who likes small cars.

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  TAKE IT TO THE MAXX! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By MAX X WELL - February 11 - 10:00 am

  Liked the concept, wife did not. test drove an Aztek and a Vue, looked @ some others and then to shut me up Wifey test drove the Maxx. Nuff said, two hours later it was in our driveway. We have two small kids, you can not beat the rear seats and remote starts, love getting in the cool car! (wish now we went for the LT)

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  Tough Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Resident Dawg - February 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck and use it for work and towing my boat. I have a 21 foot C.C. weighs about 3500 Lbs loaded full. I use to tow it with a jeep cheerokee, and MAN what a difference....I hardly feel the boat behind this truck. I got the 4wd to have added security in getting the boat out of steep slick ramps. The dealer tried to tell me all I needed was the "tracction Control System", which this truck has as well....I tested it...low tide, steep slick ramp...I needed the 4wd to get the boat out. All in all..a great truck!

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  This Aint Your Dads Compact! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Hammerhead3812 - February 11 - 10:00 am

  I have the 4DR extended cab, Z71 4x4. It has plenty of leg room.This is no compact. The truck handles very well,and brakes equally as well.I also have the 3.5lt ebgine w/200 horses.After the cold intake is installed(approx.$350)The horses go up to 235-240. It gets 275-290 miles per Tank.More on road trips.That is w/the A/c running. It also has 15" rims(not bycycle tires).4 wheel drive on the fly comes in handy, especially in the desert.4drs w/no seats are nice for fishing,hunting or just keep your tools back there.It is not a fullsize bed,but then you wont have to move your friends. It still has enough room for medium size jobs.

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  New Colorado - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By rebdrmr - February 11 - 10:00 am

  I just recently purchased the colorado and so far i have been pleased. I have the new inline 5 cylider which does have the power of the V6 well almost and good gas mileage. I would recomend this to any buyers in the market for a good mid sized truck

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  Nice Vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By dditter - February 11 - 10:00 am

  Going from a Cavilier to the Impala LS is a GOD SEND. This car has plenty of power and is absolutely beautiful. We chose the Superior Blue Metallic and have had nothing but compliments. I am extremely happy so far. Hope it remains that way.

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  This car is awesome! - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By sporplyr - February 11 - 10:00 am

  This car is great! It is great for family trips and anything else for moving! This car is the best of the best of any cars!