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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  Must have been built on a holiday - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By cac4 - January 5 - 1:30 am

  I purchased this truck used with 17 k on it. In the 5 month I have had it it has been to the dlr 5 times and monday is #6. Trans leak,main seal,body molds,mpg,u-joints. It now only has 26k. I also am only getting 15 mpg. I love gm and must have just got a lemon.

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  tricky work truck - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By James Nowacki - January 4 - 4:46 pm

  Power locks like to engage at any time. I always keep the keys in my pockets now, locked out a couple of times too many. Tire air pressure warning system likes to worry me. A small bump causes a warning signal. Work truck trim front storage armrest has no lid. If in a hurry to add a front seat passenger, everything falls into the back seats foot well. Multiple piece back bumper plastic is too weak to back up to a loading dock. Mine broke back in 2010, when my 2009 was about 1 year old. Its still broken; why fix a faulty designed junk part. It looks bad. Factory tires were to thin, I got 2 sidewall punctures in the first 60 days-WORK TRUCK? Replacement better tires work very well. I love the trailer pulling option mine has. Easy to drive with 20 foot flat bed behind carrying my mowing/ general use tractor.

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  Chevy rules - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Lou - January 4 - 8:46 am

  Absolutely 100% pleased with this purchase. The luxury side is great and the truck side is awesome! Mileage is not great, but who cares... I did not buy a Z71 crew cab for the gas economy... :-)

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  Excellent Car... I love it!!! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Wags - January 4 - 7:13 am

  Love the car!!! First drive and I was sold. Wish it was rear wheel drive and in stick, however, it is still a lot of fun to drive and very enjoyable. I love the V8 and I average 27-29 mpg going 72mph. Love it. Handles not too bad for a bigger car, has a little of pull when on the gas hard, but to be expected out of a FWD car. No complaints! Awesome build quality! GM has a big winner!!!

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  Fun vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Lerah - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this 2002 vehicle in July of 2002. I have made numerous road trips. The ride is very comfortable, gas usage is decent, and the manueverability is excellent. It has the capacity of a large suv and the handling of a mid-size.

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  Like A Rock = quiet for deisel - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By wirelesstalk - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Powerful roomy and passes the drivethrough test. The cofee person can hear me while the truck is running!!

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  Better than your Camry! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By TT325 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven all the midsize sedans. I like the Mazda6, Accord, Altima, and Camry followed by the Galant, Sonata, and Grand Prix. The Malibu is an excellent car. Its an excellent performer that gives up little to Honda and Toyota. The Malibu nearly matches them at being a bread and butter sedan, yet beats them as the value leader. Reviewers, hold American cars to a higher standard than the Japanese brands. The Malibus interior is simple, functional, and the materials are as good an anything the Camry has. Yet the Malibu is criticized while the Camry is praised for its simplicity. Sure and the Malibu IS as good if not a bit better. Great job Chevy!

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  Chevys car / Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mnt. man - January 4 - 2:00 am

  It is like having a truck yet the entire family can ride.. if you haul something you dont have to worry about the weahter..

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  the first and last american muscle car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By rastaxaf - January 4 - 2:00 am

  this car is extremely outragous!!!!!!!! put a super charger in there and your king of the road....

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  HAPPY ENOUGH - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By DEME - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I PURCHASED MY 2003 IMPALA LS 8/2003 AND SO FAR I AM PLEASED WITH THE PERFORMANCE AND IT DEFINITELY HAS LOTS OF PEP. THE INTERIOR COULD BE MORE COMFORTABLE (WHERE IS MY RIGHT ARM SUPPOSED TO GO? YES, GM DESIGNERS MOST OF US HAVE ONE AND IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU COULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT!)AND THERE IS A DEFINITE BLIND SPOT WHEN BACKING UP-BUT OVERALL ITS A CAR I PLAN TO KEEP FOR SEVERAL YEARS TO COME.