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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  Sold on the Malibu 04 - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Tejas12 - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Drove most every mid-sized car before I came around to the Chevy dealer. I travel alot and need comfort when I am on the road. I was shocked at the new Malibu and the total redesign of it. And all for about 20k. Pick up is excellent, as well as comfort and mileage. I average around 28 mpg and the trunk space is amazing.

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  2004 Malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sparks - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought my fisrt new car from this dealer a 2001 Prizm LSI, I liked that car very much! but this car, summed up in one word, Unbeleivable! Chevrolet deserves a huge pat on the back for this one! Excellent Car! and a job very well done! Look Out Ford! Chevy is #1 Now!!!!

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  Best Truck on The Market - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Francisco Aparicio - September 16 - 2:00 am

  It is the best truck

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  excellent truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Kat53 - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I love it and I would buy another one. I drove it from California to North Carolina and felt so comfortable. The heated seats were great! I love the satalite radio and having Onstar made me feel very safe.

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  Love it - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By srvblues - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I have the truck without the BSM and I luv it!!

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  The perfect SUV 4 me - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By David2004chevy - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Well I just like the performance of the tahoe my kids are always having fun and i know that we are safe with the equiped with Onstar i really like that.

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  In Love with my car!! - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Betz-BOO - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I feel SOOOOO safe when I drive my 2004 Chevy Tahoe. The comfort of this vehicle is like NO OTHER car I have ever had. I especially adore the DUAL temp and the ease of getting in and out of the car, and the location of all the buttons. They are all in very convenient spot so that you dont have to take your eyes off the road for more than a second. I also feel extra safe with my On-Star Program and built-in cell phone. I know that my passengers and I could get help immediately if anything were to tragicly happen.

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  So pleasantly surprised! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By JM in Jax FL - September 15 - 12:50 pm

  Bought an 04 Camry a year ago - it was stolen (a story for another time!) and needed a new car. Avoided Toyota (most frequently stolen) and bought the Maxx instead - drives better than the Camry did, and for about the same money got leather interior, amazing flexibility of rear seat/cargo configuration. I was fortunate to find a brand-new 04 (identical to the 05) and got better than employee discount price. The Malibu Maxx isnt flashy - but like Camry, Accord, etc. it may soon be seen by consumers as a "best in class" family vehicle. Drive is smooth, easy. Love the remote start feature. Very comfortable for a family of five.

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  Drive at your own risk - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Moms - September 15 - 2:16 am

  This is actually my 20 year old daughters car, and she loves it. But, it does take premium gas, and she drives it like a race car. She has the tickets and high insurance to prove it. So use it with caution. Rally yellow does tend to draw attention of all kinds.

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  Waited too long! - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Big Dog - September 14 - 10:00 am

  I traded my Z-34 at 98000 miles. The timing belt, water pump, and altenator all lasted to 97000 miles....I was waiting for 0% financing on a new SUV. Other than my poor timing to dump it the Z-34 was a great car.