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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  Not too shabby - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By John - May 31 - 4:23 am

  Just got the car a few weeks ago as a new daily driver to replace my 97 Sunfire. Ride is very smooth. Ill be going down the highway thinking Im doing 65 and its really up around 80. Handling is nice and tight, with minimal torque steer. Ive been getting around 31 mpg, however its only a 13 gallon tank so it seems to go quicker than what youre averaging. Overall for the money, its hard to do better. The car is leagues ahead of the J-Bodies it replaced. Just will have to wait and see how it holds up in the long run.

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  I traded in a BMW and do not regret. - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By EX BMW OWNER - May 30 - 8:20 am

  I traded in a 2006 BMW 330 I for this car. BMW more refined, but in shop 14 times for problems. This Camaro is fun to drive and seems very reliable. Simple car, but great features. Bluetooth is awesome, ability to control IPOD great, handling excellent and ride very good. Excellent car. I expect this to be reliable and fun to own. It takes time to get use to the blind spots, but the mirrors are great and as you get to know the car the blind spots fade and you get comfortable. Seats are very nice, car is beautiful and it works. The interior is purpose built and retro, this car knows what it is and does a good job defining what it is. If you like the feel you will love the car.

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  The Full Monte - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Willinator - May 30 - 8:06 am

  The last car I owned was a 1972 Olds Cutlass, which I sold in 1986. Since then, I have owned and driven new Ford and Chevy 1/2 ton trucks. Accordingly, I was not sure how I would like driving a car again. I traded a 2002 Ford Supercrew in on a 2004 Dale Earnardt signature Monte Carlo SS Supercharged Intimidator. WOW! I absolutely love this car. The ride and comfort are fantastic. The handling is superb and the acceleration exhilarating. My only gripe is the 125 mph speed governor. (nice to have found a well paved, straight road out in the desert to find this out)

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  Mali-Benz - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Mali-Benz - May 29 - 3:20 pm

  The 2008 Malibu really should have been renamed to Mali-Benz. I love everything about this car inside and out. It looks great, drives great and the price is great. I usually trade cars every 2 to 3 years, but I dont think Im going to want to give this one up ever. I wrote this same review within a month of purchasing this car and after owning it for almost 7 months now, I love this car even more now than I did when I first purchased it. I even enjoy washing it. Worth every dime I paid for it and then some.

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  Cavalier vs. Escort - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Koller85 - May 29 - 10:00 am

  After driving both models, Cheverolet Cavalier and Ford Escort, I have determined that Cheverolet was indeed the best buy of all choices of cars available to me at the time

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  Always wanted a Vette! - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 2003 Silver Z06 - May 29 - 10:00 am

  Being a long time sports car enthusiast I finally bought a Corvette. The performance package is why I chose the Z06. The car handles like its on rails until you get to 135 mph. Maybe I am used racing front wheel drives, but the steering should be tighter at high speed than it is. The 1st to 4th shift is annoying but does save gas.

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  great car - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Geovanny - May 29 - 10:00 am

  the vehicle has been a pleasure to drive. I was hesitent to buy this vehicle but i did and i am so happy i did

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  Trailblazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By salmond - May 29 - 10:00 am

  I drove a Suburban for 3 years and got tired of the bulk and lumbering feel. So now we have a Trailblazer and it is absolutely fabulous for 4 kids. The third row has MORE leg room than the suburban. Much easier to zip around town in while transporting kids to activites. I really like the shelf in the cargo because it doubles the space. But, if youre still in the stroller stage, the cargo might be too small.

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  Chevy Comes So Close - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Bill - May 29 - 9:06 am

  Never owned a Chevy before buying the HHR but the looks of this caught my eye when the first "spy shots" were posted on the web. Really a great car for the money. I bought a 2LT with pretty much every available option and the car has not disappointed me at all. The acceleration is better than I anticipated and my wife loves the heated leather seats. Now well see how it fills the bill for tailgating this Saturday. If Chevy had just put more thought into the placement of the cupholders, spent a few dollars more on the power window switches by placing them on the door where they belong Id have no real complaints.

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  Dont Buy - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By tbeckys - May 29 - 9:00 am

  We bought this truck and have had nothing but problems from the start. First the heater and air conditioning went out. Then the transmission is slipping. We can get the truck up to 70 mph and the front end feels like it is coming off. Shocks have been replaced. Tires are worn out at 9000 miles. Front and back end make a terrible creaking noise going over speed bumps or rr tracks and there is no end to what this truck has problems with. Chevy and GMC refuse to take care of the matters at all so we are stuck now with the worst truck we have ever owned! The 2007s are no better with the same problems as this truck has. I will never buy another one.