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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  First car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Chris - October 1 - 11:00 am

  I bought this car used, and the main purpose is to get me from work and back. This is my first car, and after training in other vehicles I can say that I fit in this car very comfortably, more so than my folks old Cougar, my friends new Solara, or the last Sentra I sat in. Ive had other Chevy owners (mostly pickups) call it cute, and then look shocked when they see a 62" football build guy come out of it. The sound is great, everything works just fine. Passing cars in Upstate NYs hilly roads is an everyday thing so I love the V6 engine and the power behind it. The safety features (ABS, Traction Control, Multiple airbags, passive anti-theft, etc) assured the folks that Id be just fine.

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  My "01SLP SS - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 01 SS/68 400 - October 1 - 10:04 am

  I got the car a few months ago from a guy that had barely decided to sell it. I jumped on it and got the car for $6k. It is T-Top, 6 speed standard, LS1 engine, and all stock, (which I highly recommend people get, A stock car). Once I got the car, the clutch went out. I just decided to park the car and mod it. I barely got done working car and its great! I love it to death! I put 3" flowmaster super 44 american thunders, 3" slashed tips,a SLP cold air set up, Edelbrock headers,(which dropped the 0-60 time by 1 FULL SECOND!),pistol grip Hurst shifter and short throw, Eiback springs,Moroso shocks and oil pan,Vette injectors, and 18" Z06 black vette rims. I blacked the car out!

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  Good ,But Not GREAT. - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By FlaBear - October 1 - 12:02 am

  I bought this car at the height of the high gas prices. Expected HUGE gas savings. BUT I have never gotten better than 18mpg in the city,and that is driving no pedal to the metal ever. Fun driving drops it even more. I got better mileage in the truck I traded in for this car. Mechanically it is solid. But trim pieces fade fast,paint is easily scratched,hatch release lever has broken 10 times! All fixed under warranty. But now warranty is gone,and minor things are wearing fast. Nothing major,yet. Kind of fun to drive. Easy to add options that 99% other Aveos dont have. Like FACTORY side molding, tint,aftermarket wheel covers,and graphics kits. Easy to park,and lots of storage in the HB.

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  Need better quality control - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jenga70 - September 30 - 6:32 pm

  I traded in my 2002 Trailblazer this winter for the new 2014 Silverado for my daily driver, hunting and hauling the boat around. I bought this in February and it was very cold. The morning after after I brought it home, the truck would not start, just a click sound, full electrical power and battery was good. A few more attempts with the key and it started. This happened multiple times. Read on some truck forums that there was a bad batch of starters. I had the dealer replace the starter and no issue since. I rated reliability as poor as this new truck with less than 40 miles could have left me stranded in woods when it was dangerously cold.

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  Happy Camper - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Happy Customer - September 30 - 1:37 pm

  I bought new in early 09, had a 01 Malibu w/ over 260k mi. Wanted the XFE, 1LT package. It took a bit to find car. after delivery, I found it comfortable, roomy for that size of car, great mileage, 36 has been my low, 40.9 has been high. I drive 150 a day, commuting to work. gas usage went from 5 gal a day to 3.2. started with Mobil 1 a 5k mi. went 11.2k to second oil change. I drive at 60 - 65mph, keep foot off the floor, expect over 200k and not a lot of cost. good car! also set up car for towing behind motorhome. Great Towed

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  Powertrain Control Module Replacement - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By LDean - September 30 - 10:00 am

  Due to the Malibu starting intermittently, the PCM had to be replaced. After only three weeks of ownership I am no longer confident in my vehicle, (or the entire line). Unlike myself you may want to do your homework before purchasing a new Malibu. Judging from my problems (and other consumers, it appears that the Malibu has electrical problems.

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  Dale Jr signature series - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Donnamaria56 - September 30 - 10:00 am

  best car we have had!!!!!its a beauty!!!

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  A Senior with a Desire for Sporty - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Reallyreal - September 30 - 10:00 am

  Am a senior tired of the expected style for seniors. Love the handling, convenience, selection and dependability of the Colorado. Have the 5 cyl, extended cab which is not avail on the selection for this survey. Love it.

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  I LOVE IT!! - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By KEVIN A . TAYLOR - September 30 - 10:00 am

  IVE HAD MY AVALANCH FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW. GAS MILAGE ISNT GREAT BUT FEASABLE. I AVERAGE ABOUT 350 MILES A TANK. ABOUT $47 TO FILL UP FROM EMPTY AT ABOUT $1.79 A GALLON. REGULAR UNLEADED SEEMS TO PERFORM BEST IN THE ENGINE. POWER IS GOOD ALTHOUGH THROTTLE RESPONSE COULD STAND TO BE A TAD BETTER. SOME OF THE INTERIOR IS SOMEWHAT CHEAP BUILD BUT MANAGEABLE.

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  americas sports car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jabez - September 30 - 10:00 am

  I found my chevy corvette the fun-ist car I ever drove. Most other cars it took me a few days to get use to how it drove but the corvette I was comfortable in it after an hour. acceration was excellent and the power was wonderful.Just the feel of owning one will make your ego and confidence soar. You will get a surprisingly excellent MPG for a V8 engine wih normal driving