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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  2007 Red Chevy Corvette Convertible - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rue - May 9 - 2:17 pm

  Love this car! The 07 replaced my 04 which I did not like. The features, handling, automatic roof,and the horsepower are the most bang for the buck. This car has been a joy to own. I drive it to work daily. The victory red color turns heads every time. Never go anywhere that I dont hear "nice car" yelled from somewhere. The gas mileage is also impressive.

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  Aubergine - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Andrew - May 9 - 3:50 am

  Love the car including its looks and gas mileage! The color was a question mark but Ive decided I really like it, too. This is the best car youve come up with since you stopped making the Cavalier and Chevelle wagons, both of which I owned and liked a lot. It is good to see a practical, modestly priced, fun car! I almost bought a PT Cruiser until I happened to see the HHR.

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  LT1 Z28 a real performer - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By mean green - May 9 - 1:50 am

  I own a second gen, a third gen. And this fourth gen z28 is by far the best performer. handling is great. dash components are turned slightly towards the driver for ease of use. front driver side provides comfort, but lets you know you are in a muscle car. the other seats well I wouldnt know

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  Cavi - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By lbc - May 8 - 7:41 pm

  I got my car at 80,000 miles and now its at 100,000. I love her. I had to replace the power steering pump once. And theres rust eating at the bottom of my car but I love how I have never seen my check engine light. This car has been perfect.

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  Super Kid Car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By robinfla1 - May 8 - 2:20 pm

  We bought this to replace a Ford Explored the daughter was driving to college. The Exploder was costing me $75 a week in gas. The Aveo (Buttercup) as she calls it run me $30 a week. She can fit her large drum set in it, and all her junk. Its a great little car, and a super value for the money. 12K tax and tag.

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  Kid Hauling Machine - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By 5 Girls - May 8 - 1:32 pm

  With 5 girls, this vehicle has everything we need. Room for them and all they things they insist on bringing on our many road trips. It has great power and handling no matter if you are doing 80 mph on the 4 lane or 60 mph down a back country road. The auto 4x4 and stabilitrak are great features for our snowy & icy ND winters. The only problems we have had is around 80,000 miles we had to replace the instrument cluster and some pressure sensor in the fuel tank. We had extended warranty. At 120,000 miles we believe our E85 sensor is out, but runs like new as long as we use regular gas.

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  A Total Work Horse - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By ALM396 - May 8 - 12:15 pm

  Bought it two years old off a lease return and it has performed awesome since. Pulls my race car trailer with little effort and holds hockey equipment for three kids with room to spare. At 160K I replaced the fuel pump and the water pump twice since Ive owned it plus the intake gasket which is a know issue. Since it just turned 183K I cant call that excessive. It always starts and drives well and handles the New England snow like a champ. Its as roomy and comfortable as my living room. Love this truck!

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  Sometimes, surprises are good things. - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By VB - May 8 - 11:56 am

  I was in the market for a mid-size sedan last summer, as my previous car had become unbearable uncomfortable - Im 61, and I used to drive a Corolla. Now, my Malibu is nowhere near as good on city MPG (19 as opposed to 26), but it also has an engine twice the size and weighs 600lbs more. The highway is a different matter, though I average 31MPG when I cruise at 70-75MPH in my Malibu. That is phenomenal for a big V6...my old Corolla got 37, but was pushed around by the wind. The power around town is good, though. Id recommend it in a heartbeat for a students first car, or anyone who wants some comfort.

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  Outstanding little car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Big Kahuna - May 8 - 9:28 am

  I researched everything under $20k. My Aveo is loaded with everything they had and was still sub $15k. What a great car. Small enough to be economical, heavy enough to ride smoothly and quietly. Im 60 275 lbs. Best fit of any car smaller than Chevy Malibu. If youre looking for zoom-zoom, this is not for you. If you want a comfy ride, low road and engine noise, plenty of interior room, upscale accessories and good mileage (I avg. 32) all at a great price, then the Aveo is your ride. Much better than Yaris, Scion, Versa, Fit. There are some bad reviews out there, but thats true with any car. I have been a Toyota believer for 30 yrs. The Aveo beats every other small car hands down!

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  "love and hate" - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By "love and hate" - May 7 - 10:32 pm

  I bought this car because my father had one. If I would of known what I know now I promise you I wouldnt of bought it. Dont get me wrong I love the car but I have had many problem with brakes (abs), power steering pump, head gaskets twice, but at the end of the day I really do love to look at it and drive it. The power and style make up for all the headaches and I figure Ive put too much into it to give up on it now.