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 a bad vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By D - July 21 - 3:06 pm

  Overall, a good van. The fuel gauge is horribly inaccurate and constantly fluctuates. It has decent power, and the gas mileage good. Not a bad vehicle.

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  Just a Review - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Just a rateing - July 21 - 8:36 am

  Love it. Looks great. Drives great. Great for maintenance costs. My only complaint: Its not a V8. 3800 series II motor is great for horsepower but it lacks the low end torque of a V8.

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  Seems like a "One of a kind" SUV - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Rudys - July 21 - 2:48 am

  We bought it new, and it still looks like new, on the outside. Even though its 9 years old, it makes rattling noises like a rattlesnake inside. The exterior looks like a classic, well- built beauty! As for the interior, seems that Chevy ran out of money, and put cheap plastic everywhere. Whats with the sound system anyway? It sounds like all of the speakers are blown. Has anyone had trouble with the rearview mirror? The mirror keeps falling off of the windshield.

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  First time suburban owner - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By BTZN - July 20 - 1:46 pm

  We have owned our first Suburban for a few months (Z71 - RWD). Previously owned various minivans and outgrew the interior space. Needed something with power to pull a boat. First impression is that it is an excellent vehicle (but talk to me in 100,000 miles). Mileage leaves something to be desired, but you know that going in. My only complaint is the placement of the DVD system. When the screen is down it is right in the line of sight of the rearview mirror and is very distracting. DVD is also fed from the second row of the vehicle. In our minivans the DVD was controlled from the front. It is certainly not enough to warrant a red mark on an excellent vehicle, just an FYI.

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  The best car Ive ever had! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Lisa - July 19 - 2:16 am

  After always buying the Euro imports, I almost died when I bought this car! Our first Chevy! But I saw it in a lot and immediately was drawn to it. For the cost of what we paid and for what weve got, were very happy. Its a great family car.

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  Good value - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Martin Ruben - July 18 - 11:50 am

  The Malibu is a good solid car that has the features and drivability expected of a good North American vehicle.

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  Great fuel economy - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By jeepride - July 18 - 8:49 am

  Had van since new. The interior parts are very cheap. The video system controllers kept popping out at times when accelerating. Dealer replaced them under warranty and they continued to fall out. I put adhesive strips behind them and they havent fell off since. I pulled both front seats out the first week I owned the van to send them to an upholstery shop to add lower side support. Now much better. The leather seat surfaces wore a hole within 40,000 miles. My intake went at 42,000 miles. Keep an eye one your coolant level. The 100,000 spark plugs are meaningless with coils that only last 35,000 miles. Transmission shifts hard after 43,000 miles. Dealer charged me for a transmission flush ($300.00). Now bad again at 73K.

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  I love my 2nd Malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Cheryl Vasquez - July 18 - 1:37 am

  I first owned a 2003 Malibu, which I liked as well, although, my 2004 held out better in frontal impact collision. My 2003 was totalled and my 2004 was salvageable. I like the Malibu and I enjoy driving this car immensely. I would recommend this car to anyone with 1-2 children. Any more in the family could be a little uncomfortable.

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  1999 Chevrolet Suburban - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Sarah - July 16 - 9:37 pm

  Needing a larger vehicle to accomodate my large family I went from a minivan to the 99 Suburban. It has proved reliable and easy to maintain. However, the downside is the rising gas prices, but it isnt that bad considering I knew entering the vehicle it was going to be more pricey to operate. I like all of the room for the kids. Where the minivan was just too small, now everyone is comfortable and there is enough space in the back for groceries etc. I have had no major problems other than normal wear and tear type expenses and I strongly recommend this vehicle.

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  Excellant - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Avalanche - July 16 - 1:53 pm

  This has been the best vehicle that I have ever owned. It is very comfortable and quiet to drive.