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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  2011 Camaro - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Pat Rollins - November 15 - 7:52 am

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  1997 Chevy Malibu LS-V6 - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Anthony - November 14 - 10:08 pm

  I bought this car in 2002 with 90,000 miles. It now has 171,000 and I only had to replace 3 parts, altenator, water pump, and thermostat. They were really cheaps parts and Ive never had to replace anything else besides tires and brakes. Its a really good car and I recommend it to anyone. Ive added a cold air intake for a few extra horses and it shows

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  If only it got better mileage - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By True Blue - November 14 - 3:36 pm

  The only thing I can say against the TrailBlazer is that the gas mileaage averages around 15-16 mpg. I like my TrailBlazer better than any other vehicle I have owned, and it is perfect for driving in Wisconsin Winters. I feel it is a mucher safer vehicle for my family than any mid-size sedan or smaller SUV.

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  2006 Z51 Corvette coupe AT - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By hunter - November 14 - 2:36 pm

  My driving and ownership experience has lived up to what I thought it would be! All i can say is wow this car is a monster.

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  This is a great car. - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By mesanders - November 14 - 1:22 pm

  I have owned GM since I started driving. My last car was a 1991 Chevy Lumina Euro 2 Dr with a 3.1. Had to retire her after 290000 miles. Other than normal maintenance, oil change every 3 months, trans oil every 24 months with filter, the car still runs great and the new owner still gets 24 mpg with a heavy foot sometimes, just broke 300000 miles. This 05 Impala is a great car 28 mpg average 3.8 k motor 4spd OD trans LS option. Cant ask for more at this price. GM Certified Used Car, 5 year 10000 mile powetrain coverage from the original in service date with 12 months new car warranty coverage from the date of the used car purchase. I am looking towards another 300,000 miles.

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  Got my moneys worth - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jack Kallenbach - November 14 - 10:03 am

  I bought this car new in 2000. It has been a very good car. No major mechanical problems,only normal wear and tare. Everything still works. Uses no oil. It still drives and rides well. The car is kind of basic compared to some others. Nothing fancy, but less to go wrong. The performance is quite acceptable. Its not a muscle car, but it has enough power. I even pull a small trailer. The pushrod V6 turns fewer RPM at highway speeds than more modern overhead cam engines. But because of the low RPM, you seldom hear any engine noise unless you are really standing on the gas. Fuel economy is decent. What struck me most about this car is that the car feels like a larger car than it really is

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  Bad car - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Dan.G - November 14 - 7:36 am

  I can"t beleive it was built by GM. Ive always had Chevys but this is the last! Foreign next. Bought it at 137000 klms for a good price privately. The first drive to license it the fuel pump went. The very next time driving at night the headlights flickered, had to change the alternator. The power door locks dont work either, rear window wiper too, evap sensor on the gas tank, then the wipers stay in the up position when theyre off, and the last is the airbag light is on as well. I only have 140,000 on it now, just waiting for the intake gasket to leak now. Oh also the blower motor resistor went and only have heat in high.

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  SS is a great car! - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Mark s. - November 14 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my 2002 SS for 16 months and have really enjoyed the car. Chevrolet did a great job designing this very distintive car that it not like many others. The ride is great and all controls are easy to use. The handling is great and the V6 feels like a V8. Long trips are a breeze with the very comfortable leather bucket seats.

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  Great Truck - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By W Daly - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Great truck on the highway, cruising the interstates with ease and comfort. 20 mpg on the road and highway speeds but a little short in the city due to the big hp. Interior is comfortable on long trips. Back and forth to Myrtle Beach non-stop except for gas and a snack and no physical problems from the seating. Passengers (3) had no complaints whatsoever.

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  Needs more gas! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Fredly75 - November 14 - 2:00 am

  I love the vehicle. Its comfortable, easy on the eyes, and goes when I need it to go. Mama loves driving it back and forth to work. My only complaint: needs a bigger gas tank, short legs, especially when towing.