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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  Nice car...screams RENTAL! - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By malibuls98 - June 1 - 10:40 pm

  My Malibu has been quite nice thus far. It has lots of standard features and few optional features. Saddens me that there is not much difference from the base model and the LS model. I have the LS and that only things I have that the base model done have is the V6 engine (the 4cyc engine puts out the same amount of horse power as the V6 so there is not much difference) I got the 6 way power driver seat, CD player, a and wheels.

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  Its reliable - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Stephanie - June 1 - 6:42 pm

  Although I bought a gently used 2004 Camry today, I am sad to say goodbye to my Lumina. It has been an excellent car to me. Its no longer aesthetically pleasing, theres lots of rust, dings, and dents. But it has never failed to start and get me where I was going even in two feet of Ohio snow. During this extensive ownership period, beyond regular maintenance Ive only had to replace a water pump, an alternator, and an EGR valve. None of which resulted in a breakdown, just poor performance until it was fixed. Oh, the power steering pump is noisy, but still works fine. Id recommend this car to anyone as a used vehicle. Still seeing lots of them around. Still strong after 135,000 miles.

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  2001 Chevrolet Lumina 4 Dr STD Sedan - 2001 Chevrolet Lumina
  By frank - June 1 - 8:23 am

  Purchase the car in Feb 2002 with 25k miles and still driving it 2008 with 90k miles. Overall good value for the price. Intake manifold gasket needed replaced and couple of check engine light problems are the only issues.

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  Good Commuter Car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By BC - May 30 - 9:46 am

  Bought this car used in 2004 with 26K on it. Now close to 70K. Great highway gas mileage. No real problems other than transmission sensor went out. Original tiger paws still on. Great car!

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  Good overall - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Nemesis - May 29 - 11:56 am

  This car is a fleet vehicle for the company I work for. I have put on about 50k miles on it in the first year so far and have had no problems at all mechanicaly. The engine is suprisingly quick for a 4 cyl. My only complaint is the seats. They stain way too easy. I spilled a bottle of water and it left a stain. I have the gray interior. I would reccomend black or get leather. All other features about inside are great.

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  Chevy has come a long way. - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Chevy TrailBlazer - May 29 - 12:28 am

  Since I have had my TrailBlazer I have had few problems. Vehicle has required only routine service. I am pleased with many things with my vehicle however it does leave things to be desired. This will be my last American made vehicle since the thing is only worth a fraction of what I paid for it considering it is in perfect used condition. This vehicle is built more like a 2000 then a 2004 lacking features other SUVs of the same year offer. The engine could have been a little more refined with a lot more power and better fuel economy. I was recently looking at the new 2008 TrailBlazer and Chevy has made some great improvements.

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  Solid car - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By pgh1 - May 28 - 2:01 pm

  Got the Impala when it was 3 years old with 24k miles off a lease. It has been a solid performer ever since. No major repair work necessary, just regular maintenance. Decent fuel economy for its size/weight. No regrets on this one.

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  Nice for road trips - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By spoonified - May 28 - 12:31 am

  Over all not too bad of a vehicle. It would be nice to be driving something where I was not surrounded by plastic when I was inside. I usually get much better then the rated gas mileage, around 38 mpg highway if I watch my speed.

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  I like mine! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By jwells1988 - May 27 - 11:56 pm

  I bought my Trailblazer just a few months back. So far I must say I have rather enjoyed it. Its good looking. Gets me from A to B comfortably. Fuel economy, not so great, but hey its a 4.2L. Gets me moving! I would have no problems recomending this car to anyone.

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  Great car, poor A/C - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By DW - May 27 - 6:26 pm

  I think that this car is great. Good on gas, and just enough room for me and my son. However every summer I am having A/C problems. The A/C never gets cold enough and when it does start to work I cant use the A/C adapter and air conditioner at the same time.So charging my cell during road trips are usually out of the question. Other than that the car is great. The heating system works great and no other complaints.