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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  A Great American Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By jgrein - December 12 - 7:00 pm

  I love my Impala. I have driven to Lincoln, NE and back and got 31.6666 miles to the gallon. Its very reliable. I do wish it had cushier seats, but, other than that, I really do love it. Thanks Chevrolet, for making a great car.

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  Many improvements - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bill48 - December 12 - 10:55 am

  I had a 2005 Coupe and had a lot of trouble with it, mostly electronic. I also was not impressed with the noise when driving. The 09 has taken care of all these issues. It rides better and so much quieter that I can hear the radio at highway speed.

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  My 1st Chevy - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Houston - December 12 - 1:40 am

  I was looking to replace my Mazda6 with something more grown-up, safer, quieter, roomier, that had some heft to the controls. I like the more solid feeling structure the Impala provides compared to my Mazda and most Japanese cars, I dont need nor want feather weight doors that close at the slightest blowing of the wind or overbearing road noise, you the kind you only learn about from taking a roadtrip.

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  Great Car - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By SDK-ASK - December 11 - 9:03 pm

  Bought as a GM certified car. It had 29k on it. The price was decent, the equipment level is great. Plenty of power, plenty of amenities. I got to drive it for 3 weeks before my wife borrowed it, she fell in love with it, and has been drving it since. (oh well, gotta keep her happy I guess) I got a new truck, but still enjoy driving this car. Even with 60k-plus miles, it still has plenty of power. Turn off the trction control, and spinning the tires is not a problem. The response from others is still very positive. If you are looking for a 2- door, but are concerned about space for backseat passengers, look no further. This car has plenty. Drive one, youll love it.

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  All of the Above - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By 08 LTZ - December 11 - 9:22 am

  What is the Avalanche, a pick up truck, an SUV, a motorcycle hauler, a comfortable long range cruiser, a technical wonder? The answer is, all of the above. The Avalanche does so many tasks with ease. I load with people some times, or haul one of my motorcycles in the back or both. The LTZ with the auto leveling suspension handles that with grace. This is my second Avalanche as I had a 2002 when I was living in NH. Both have / were totally dependable with no issues what so ever. (to be expected from an American car, I know). The 08 with this advance handling and suspension is a dream to drive in very slippery conditions. Buy one you wont regret it.

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  Great for a to b - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Colts XLIII Champs - December 11 - 1:42 am

  I inhearited my Lumina from my mom. She had the car since 02. Really I have seen no mechanical problems. Im a delivery driver in college and the gas mileage will suprise you. Its not flashy but it will get you from a to b pretty well. One thing I do have a problem with is there is only one cupholder. All in all if given the chance I think I might get another one

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  Great Car - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Lumber Baron - December 11 - 12:57 am

  Leased this car 3 yrs ago & have nearly 36k on it now. Lease will end in April and I may just buy it as it has been all that I could ask for & more. Just one trip back to the dealer for warranty work - dim light in radio & clunk in steering. Fixed both in about 1/2 hr. I tracked the mileage for the 1st 30k, recording every gallon used. Averaged 29.8 mpg for the 3 yrs & got as high as 40 mpg on 1 trip. Just returned from 2500 mile trip with 4 adults & trunk full of luggage. Averaged 30.2 mpg for the trip. This has been a great car, adequate performance, good ride, reliable, trouble free. Well thought out interior with lots of room. I much prefer it to my wifes 08 Saturn Aura XR.

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  Best and Most Versatile Vehicle Ever - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By JON - December 11 - 12:56 am

  Chevrolet have got it bang on. The vehicle has power with great fuel economy, wagon cargo space with nice styled lines. Perfect family vehicle, DVD player in the back keeps the little ones happy and quiet. Great versatility with being able to fold all seats flat to increase storage, as well as the back seats being able to slide forward and back and tilt for great back seat comfort. Loads of leg room front and back. Power foot pedals, seat, roof, windows and locks make things very comfortable. The oil life monitor meant that my first oil change was not until 12,000km so very economical for service and also environmentally. Has been very reliable with a bulb being the only thing to replace.

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  1 Year Later - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jp - December 10 - 7:11 pm

  Its been a year since I got my Malibu. Overall a good car but sluggish on highways, very uninspiring, gets the job done without fanfare. Chassis is very long making it a pain to park in tight areas. Blind spot on passengers side, love the XM radio, hate the OnStar stuff that comes with the vehicle. Never use it or need! Very quiet on road, fan loud, AC/defrost/heater great. Difficult to back up, cant see how close you are to objects behind. For the money a good buy for a family of 4. Its not my kind of car but at the time it was the only thing I could get and I did not make a bad choice, all and all.

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  Rollover and walk away - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By mike - December 10 - 5:20 pm

  We bought this car for my 18 year old daughter for her high school graduation. She loved it and we loved the cost. Last Sunday she had an accident on the highway in which she hit some black ice. Smashed into a wall. And than the car rolled over landing on the roof. She was wearing her seatbelt. Thank God. Without a scratch she gets out of the car. Calls me first and than called 911. I arrived before the emergency services and she was sittinbg on the side of the road with out a scratch on her. Needless to say that after the insurance pays off I will be getting her another Cobalt. This car did a great job in protecting my kid and it will do the same for yours, buy American. All in all I cant thank Chevy caring enough and not cheaping out on the safety aspect of this little economy car