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 domestic in 15 years - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By mhall - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Test drove the Malibu several times and came away more impressed each time. Solid ride with absolutely no rattles or sqeeks. Impressive list of extras. More pick-up than the Mazda Millinia it replaced with great millage, 23/32. Very good handler with room inside. Only complaint is the headrest is tilted slightly more forward than I was used too. Got used to it very quickly.

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  Best Malibu Yet - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ken Geiselmann - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Leased a 1999,then a 2001 and now a 2004 and find this to be the best. I think this one is the best of all, it seems to ride smoother and the the mpg averages 22+ under a variety of conditions. Engine response is tremendous. Has plenty of standard features that are usefull. Upgraded to the 6 cd radio and it is great. I have one rattle and have isolated it to the front passenger seat and will get rid of it.

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  excellent vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By hutch66 - October 28 - 2:00 am

  excellent vehicle has plenty of power stay on the road in turns and is built in the untied states by the uaw

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  Its Great - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Spike Meredith - October 28 - 2:00 am

  No problems in first 3500 miles, excellent fuel economy and performance. Looks great, but of course I had to dress up the interior, add a cupholder, needs more electric outlets for phone, radar detector, etc., needed more sound proofing in rear to isolate the trunk and convertible top area. Did some performance enhancements also. Spent another $2,500.00 on aftermarket stuff.

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  The best one yet - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Alan Frankel - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This being my 10th Corvette, and knowing about all there is to know about the car, I can honestly say this one is by far the best on yet. Comfort and driveability are great. My last one, a 1993 Anniversary edition had more power, but not even close in comfort. I love this car, the best one yet.

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  After 4 months - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By ksscooter - October 27 - 8:02 pm

  This car has been a pleasant surprise so far. It is much quieter than the Acura RSX that I replaced after the Acura had multiple trans problems and the warranty was over. Honda lost me on that car. The Chevy gets great gas mileage, etc. It is hard sometimes to see out of so I have to be sure, the power window switches are placed out of reach, but no car is perfect. My black lab is in heaven with her head hanging out the right rear window. The stereo is A-OK. Mine is a stick shift because I am a stick shift guy and I am happy with the performance of the trans. The car is quiet, rattle free, compact, good mileage, stylish, and my dog loves it. Id buy a another one in a heart beat.

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  Terrible Car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Bryan18 - October 27 - 4:03 pm

  I bought this as my first car. I bought it as it was a new car in the price range of the used cars I was looking at. I mainly bought it for the warranty because any car I have been in it has always had many problems that the dealer needed to fix. This car was no exception!! I have been to the daelership at least one time a month to get something fixed on it, and it is always some stupid thing that needs to be fixed. Every time I have gone in their, they have given me a hard time about fixing the thing! I am very disappointed with GM for producing a car with this pad of build quality the electric power steering is also horrible, GM could you be cheap again and give us a normal hydraulic steering

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  The Car That Wont Quit - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By QueenFancyPants - October 26 - 10:31 pm

  I received my Lumina, from my aunty a while back. She gave it to me when she got a new car. The Lumina is a great car. Its great on fuel mileage, reliable and very comfortable. Im 56 and I can easily get comfortable in the drivers seat. Power is instant and I can hardly resist the sound of the 3.1 V6. The car has over 140,000 miles on it and the transmission shifts from first to fourth since its failing. Other than that, this car is perfect. I love the interior and exterior and its a shame that Chevy stopped making Luminas. Reliablity is spot on and I do routine maintenence myself. Its the car the wont quit.

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  On the Fence - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By klutz27 - October 26 - 10:25 pm

  There are things I love about my car, like the get up and go on the highway others I hate. I have the Opal blue, and with the coolant issue, FL sunshine and bug issues, the paint on my hood is toast (talked to others with GM color whove had same issue) Like others Ive had the coolant leak,but no brake problems, Im on the 3rd A/C switch since I bought with 8000 miles on it. (program car)had the tensioner problem and gasket issue and the ABS light issue. I have a leak somewhere in the windshield fluid reservoir no one can find (& labor to pull it is way too much now.) CDs get condensation with the A/C on hi (Im in FL) and now will not work at all. Was great as 1st car, but ready for new

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  Fond Memories! - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Rachel - October 26 - 10:07 pm

  This was the best car I ever owned! I bought it used with 43,000 miles on it and put another 135,000 miles in 6 years. It ran like a dream even after it was flooded in Florida! The A/C didnt work so great after the fire, but it still ran for another year. (if you change the oil, dont leave the rag and bottle under the hood!) If you take care of it, itll last you a really long time