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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  Super Kid Car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By robinfla1 - May 8 - 2:20 pm

  We bought this to replace a Ford Explored the daughter was driving to college. The Exploder was costing me $75 a week in gas. The Aveo (Buttercup) as she calls it run me $30 a week. She can fit her large drum set in it, and all her junk. Its a great little car, and a super value for the money. 12K tax and tag.

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  Kid Hauling Machine - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By 5 Girls - May 8 - 1:32 pm

  With 5 girls, this vehicle has everything we need. Room for them and all they things they insist on bringing on our many road trips. It has great power and handling no matter if you are doing 80 mph on the 4 lane or 60 mph down a back country road. The auto 4x4 and stabilitrak are great features for our snowy & icy ND winters. The only problems we have had is around 80,000 miles we had to replace the instrument cluster and some pressure sensor in the fuel tank. We had extended warranty. At 120,000 miles we believe our E85 sensor is out, but runs like new as long as we use regular gas.

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  A Total Work Horse - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By ALM396 - May 8 - 12:15 pm

  Bought it two years old off a lease return and it has performed awesome since. Pulls my race car trailer with little effort and holds hockey equipment for three kids with room to spare. At 160K I replaced the fuel pump and the water pump twice since Ive owned it plus the intake gasket which is a know issue. Since it just turned 183K I cant call that excessive. It always starts and drives well and handles the New England snow like a champ. Its as roomy and comfortable as my living room. Love this truck!

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  Sometimes, surprises are good things. - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By VB - May 8 - 11:56 am

  I was in the market for a mid-size sedan last summer, as my previous car had become unbearable uncomfortable - Im 61, and I used to drive a Corolla. Now, my Malibu is nowhere near as good on city MPG (19 as opposed to 26), but it also has an engine twice the size and weighs 600lbs more. The highway is a different matter, though I average 31MPG when I cruise at 70-75MPH in my Malibu. That is phenomenal for a big V6...my old Corolla got 37, but was pushed around by the wind. The power around town is good, though. Id recommend it in a heartbeat for a students first car, or anyone who wants some comfort.

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  My Last GM Product - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By soind - May 8 - 11:10 am

  This van started falling apart at about 50000 miles. Door handles breaking, DVD player quit working, backup sensors quit working, seat side plastic plate broke to name a few. It now has 105,000 miles on it and I took it to the dealer with a list of things I would like to have repaired and asked them to give the van a good once over for problems. The total came up to roughly $5,000. The good ol manifold gakset needed replaced, new shocks and struts, new brakes and rotors, a new computer, new plugs and wires and they wanted $183 dollars to fix the cheap plastic seat side plate. Im going to have the stuff repaired, but not by those crooks. My 1997 Nissan Quest has 206,000 miles. Hmmm.

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  Outstanding little car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Big Kahuna - May 8 - 9:28 am

  I researched everything under $20k. My Aveo is loaded with everything they had and was still sub $15k. What a great car. Small enough to be economical, heavy enough to ride smoothly and quietly. Im 60 275 lbs. Best fit of any car smaller than Chevy Malibu. If youre looking for zoom-zoom, this is not for you. If you want a comfy ride, low road and engine noise, plenty of interior room, upscale accessories and good mileage (I avg. 32) all at a great price, then the Aveo is your ride. Much better than Yaris, Scion, Versa, Fit. There are some bad reviews out there, but thats true with any car. I have been a Toyota believer for 30 yrs. The Aveo beats every other small car hands down!

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  Awesome Avalanche - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jrwjr99 - May 8 - 6:43 am

  This vehicle although very fun to drive and extremely versatile, is one to keep in the garage until needed for work or play. Not the best communting vehicle because of the mileage. But all things being said this is a really fun truck to have if you have a family.

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  "love and hate" - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By "love and hate" - May 7 - 10:32 pm

  I bought this car because my father had one. If I would of known what I know now I promise you I wouldnt of bought it. Dont get me wrong I love the car but I have had many problem with brakes (abs), power steering pump, head gaskets twice, but at the end of the day I really do love to look at it and drive it. The power and style make up for all the headaches and I figure Ive put too much into it to give up on it now.

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  Capable truck - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By SRW - May 7 - 7:58 pm

  I replaced a 2001 GMC Highrider or ZR2 with the purchase of this Z71 4X4. Big difference in build quality between the two with the older model far exceeding the new models parts. No skid plates on new truck, rear drum brakes opposed to disc on the old model however this does get good milage and is a good everyday truck. I have taken a couple 200 mile trips and vehicle is very comfortable and capable. Time will tell how reliable this model is, old ZR2 is bullet proof and is still in the family, son drives it and is going strong with no problems at 110K miles.

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  Poor gas mileage, very dissappointed - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By none - May 7 - 7:47 pm

  I bought this car for the gas mileage. I drive at least 30 miles a day in my commute to work 6 days a week. Supposedly it gets 33 mpg highway. I drive the express lanes at 60 mph every day with 2 to 3 miles of my commute on surface streets. I am getting between 22 to 24 mpg consistently. I am very disappointed. My son is 6 foot tall and even with the seat all the way back his legs are almost resting on the steering wheel. It comes with an arm rest which is so far back in the seat it barely reaches my hip and is so low that I can only rest my wrist on it if I reach behind me. As far as driving goes it is easy to drive. I have to fill up every 4 days. My other car went 1 1/2 weeks per fill up.