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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  I love my car! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By KariLynn - December 6 - 2:00 am

  As this is my first car and I needed one to get back and forth from work and to and from college and my apartment I must say the Cavalier has completely fulfilled my needs and expectations... and more! I love how simple it is to drive and the sporty look that even the sedan has. An excellent buy for its price range!

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  My Avalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Colt90 - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I have owned the Chevy Avalanche Z66 for about 7 months and I LOVE it. It is fun to drive and practical.

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  Love the Z34 - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Z34 Lover - December 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car just over 2 years. Ive put over 60,000 miles on it since I bought it (about to rollover 100K). It is very comfortable, powerful, stylish, and fun. Considering the mileage Ive racked up on it, my Z34 still looks and feels like she came off the showroom floor. However,problem I have had include: a faulty brake switch (a cheap fix) which led to the malfunction of a solenoid in the transmission (an $800+ repair--OUCH!!). Other than that, VERY pleased with this car. If you have one or are considering one, have a mechanic plug in to the Onboard Diagnostic system to check the brake switch (and for any other problems).

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  Its Great - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Gary Weiss - December 5 - 10:00 am

  After 26 months I have, 47,500 miles on it. It has been on many trips and other stuff and is great. At 30K I had to put new front breaks, otherwise perfect. The radio speakers are starting to have problems but thats minor.Its great but it.

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  Great Buy For What You Get - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Thomas H. - December 5 - 10:00 am

  This is a very nice little car with more interior room than I would have thought. It is fun to drive and I have had no problems whatsoever with it. I would not recommend this car to a person who is looking at Cadillacs or more expensive vehicles, but would for someone looking for a nice, inexpensive new car.

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  Excellent Choice - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Yvonne Hibbert - December 5 - 10:00 am

  I never in my life thought that I would purchase a truck. I saw the commercial on TV, "change for a dollar" and I just had to go and check it out. I took it for a test drive and decided that it was the one for me.

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  Edmunds Unfair to Impalas - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Paul Black - December 5 - 10:00 am

  Edmunds reviewers must have been on loco weed when they said Impala was "dreadful". We looked at everything from Audi to Volvo and settled on an Impala LS. The LS has a snappy engine, full independant suspension, and rides great. It corners like an Aston and has zero understeer. Itll beat anything but a "muscle car" in a dead heat off the line. Fully loaded, its the buy of a lifetime.

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  Great truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By chev_03_Z71 - December 5 - 7:13 am

  Bought used with 69,000 miles 2.5 years ago. I now have 115,000 miles with no problems. I regularly tow a 3000 lb ski boat and have a truck camper in the bed and the 5.3 L has no problem handling it.

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  A++++++++++ Automoble - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By snow BR - December 4 - 2:00 am

  the smooth pickup, smooth ride, easy to handle,performance. before buying this car, i was looking for a 4x4 blazer, cavilar, grand am, is what i mentioned to the dealer. and what i could afford was this vehicle! i drove a 1988 5spd calilar one time and i loved it way back than. and i know than it was a very dependable vehicle, which is one reason why i look into the cavilars performance!! I love everything about this car, !!!!!!!!!! etc. im glad i made this decision:))))

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  Why I ove my car.....not - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By TiffHalv83 - December 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had no problems this month yet. When I first got it back in May there was bubbling in the paint and had to have the whole car repainted. The back lights in the car tend to go out every month or so. Something about the bulb melts to the socket. Im not lyeing....