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 Vehicle - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By Bon733 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I have only had one problem just after I bought it and it has been working great ever since,

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  Oh My God! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MaliBoomer - April 24 - 2:00 am

  is it really 200 horses..seems like more. My uncle has a camry and it seems the mali has better handling. My neighbor has his BMW just to show off to the other neighbors. The day i pulled into the garage with my malibu I swear i saw his head turn when we was washing his car and he thought it was a volvo i think he got bitter when i showed him the remote start at a car that is $21,000. The speakers are good too. enough said.

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  Excellent 1999 Silverado - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By gonetobama13 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I am totally pleased with my 99 Silverado 1500 4WD. No problems at all.

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  Never Again - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Fed Up in GA - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Before 26,000 miles,weather stripping cming off,display not functioning bumper wrinkles(already wrinkled again),vibrations coming from heat shield on transmission. Then the major things:Transmission sun cluster completely shears in transmission. Dealer kept 4 weeks.Returned after one week did not make it home.Kept 3 more weeks drove two days then shifting problems check engine light on.One more week light back on.GM engineer says we have problem at about 30,000 miles and the power valve goes bad. Warranty will be out @60,000 when it goes again!!!NO SERVICE AFTER THE SALE!!!Still driving with light on. HOPE IT BLOWS UP.

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  03 Trailblazer -- Great Ride - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By wdnboats1 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Great highway ride!!! Wintertime fuel MPG of 14-15...MPG in summer is 16 around town and 18+ on highway. Had to have a sensor in the A/C replaced within first 5000 miles...no questions - fixed - FANTASTIC. This truck replaced a 94 Toyota 4-Runner(232k miles), unless something drastic happens I will get another Trailblazer to replace this one. Only complaints are poor body seal around license plate housing on lift gate (will need to be replaced), trailblazer door emblem fell off, and wind noise from passenger side front door when on highway in cross-wind.

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  Impala SS - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By dcitron - April 23 - 6:30 pm

  It has all the bells and whistles. A great car to have and drive. Only one in Greensboro NC. But it is a gas guzzler.14 to 15 mpg .

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  Best Buy for the Money - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Mark P. - April 23 - 1:16 pm

  I was looking to buy a G35/G37, but received an additional $1500 incentive from GM. With the $2600 GM card rebate, I ended up buying the Malibu for around $23,000. The Infinity was a little better, but cost $15,000 more. The Malibu has a great interior, ride, performance, handling, build quality, and the reliablity should be good. Check out the Motortrend Car of the Year Award (Jan 08). Its almost as good as the $43,000 CTS and I think it should have won the COTY award. I recomend buying the LTZ model for a few thousand more. You get the 3.6 DOHC motor with the 6 speed auto and the nicer interior, wheels and other comforts. I am happy with the gas mileage of 21mpg mixed city and highway.

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  07 Cobalt LS - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By ken - April 23 - 6:13 am

  Cobalt LS 4dr with no options. With almost 4 months and 5000 miles, I think this is going to be great commuter car. 31-34 mpg mostly highway commute to work. Great AC and adequate radio/CD/mp3. Comfortable front seats and adequate rear seat room. Big trunk. Added aftermarket cruise (really just expensive switch), factory servo controls are already there. Plastic wheel covers and small tires will be replaced with alloy wheels and bigger tires when appropriate.

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  2003 Monte carlo ss - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By coonhound01 - April 22 - 10:01 pm

  I bought my SS with 83,000. It has been a very reliable car. I now have 176,000 on my car. It still runs and rides smooth. Ive replaced the thermostat, a/c condenser and resonator during that time. The condenser was the result of a stone or debri, which I was told was typical. I like the car, the interior has held up well, and the exterior is even better considering the miles. I average 23-24 mpg combined, 27 mpg on a trip.

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  Our Sand Nox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By CLKrause - April 22 - 12:20 pm

  Fun to drive, decent mileage but could be a little better. Love the way it handles, pickup and room in the interior. Love the 5 speed tranny, always keeps you in power band and passes easily at all speeds Looks of a Lexus 330 SUV but the price of a Chevy and we are a Chevy family. Great stereo w mp3 player