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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  Worth the money - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By gm guy - November 7 - 11:25 am

  GM program car bought 1/2003 at 24,000 miles, now has 85,000. Original Firestone tires wore out at 33,000, replacement BFG tires still have 5/32 tread. Intake gasket coolant leak repaired at 51,000 on extended warranty. Brake pads replaced and rotors turned at 78,000. MPG records show 25+ mixed driving, up to 31 MPG hiway. Starts good, runs good, drives good, rides good, with lots of power when needed. Recent electrical problems were battery cable corrosion hidden by rubber cover at positive battery terminal. Normal maintenance includes synthetic oil at 5,000 miles. Great car.

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  Monte Carlo SS - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By troobie - November 7 - 10:00 am

  none

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  Wow, surprized by the # of complaints - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By acrobat - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I am shopping for a new car now. I am considering others but keep looking at the Malibu for the value. I have been very satisfied with my 99 Malibu. It is the first Chev. I have ever purchased. I am in sales and need a car that has room and still be easy to park. I am still on my original brakes. Like the ride, gas mileage and performance for a 20,000 or less auto. My only proplem was a leak under windshield. Fixed on first try.

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  No Reliability - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By stunned - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Vast interior volume improvement over the blazer. The new engine does not feel as if it is unleashing 270 hp. Build Quality is still questionable. I have had mine in the shop for electrical problems and as of yesterday it left me on the side of the road due to an electronic malfunction. I beginning to think FORD.

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  I Love My Monte - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Patricia Engelbrecht - November 6 - 6:33 pm

  I believe something happened to my car before I bought it...the front seats are NOT right. The time I asked them to be checked I was told they were normal...but I have checked other 1998 Monte Carlos and they are better. My husband is a big guy and he does not have much room. Besides this problem, I love my Monte Carlo. (I owned a 1985 Monte Carlo before I bought the 1998.)

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  Best SUV Ive ever driven - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By martin - November 6 - 5:10 pm

  I got this Tahoe LTZ after trading in my 02 Tahoe. I thought that was a great SUV until I got my new Tahoe. Its absolutely beuatiful, in white with the chrome wheels, grille and in white. The insides white leather seats are the most comfortable seats Ive ever sat in. Already at 2500 miles and Im getting 18.3 MPG with about 70% city driving. Ive owned a 02 Tahoe, 98 Tahoe, and this is the best Tahoe by far

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  GREAT, GREAT, GREAT - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Sgt Darkness - November 6 - 4:53 pm

  Three years ago when GM said they were going to bring back the Camaro, I said yea, sure, same ole, same ole. I have ate my words, twice. This is probably the best car I have ever owned, 21 and counting. The ride, power, fit and finish are perfect. Chevy has a great car again. I bought the LS, 3.6, 6 speed manual to try to replicate the 67 version as much as possible and for 23,000 I feel like I stole it. And I thought my 08 Miata was fun to drive......Another reason I bought the LS, 6 speed manual is because as of this date only around 500 have been made. There will be many LTs and SSs on the road so the LS will be hard to find one day. Great car, buy one NOW.

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  2008 4LT Jetstream Blue Coupe - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By nhnascar - November 6 - 12:14 pm

  The all "new" 2008 Corvette is exactly that! From a new Jetstream Blue exterior, a revamped upscale interior, 36HP increase, and a new exhast system the new feature enhancements are extraordinary. The new Jetstream Blue exterior really stands out in the crowd. The 4LT interior (Linen & Ebony) finally puts Corvette in the luxury realm. The 436 HP puts the Vette way above any other car in the price range. The optional Z06 style butterfly exhaust makes the car really sound like a Vette should right from the start. I added an optional remote that lets me control the exhaust butterfly. I owned a 2004 C5 prior to this C6 and was completely blown away at how much better this car is over my C5.

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  Great Little Car - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By rharris - November 6 - 8:54 am

  The car is a lot of fun to drive and handles well in city and country driving. Seats are a little hard for long trips. Needs more cup holders.

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  My Chevy Maxx: - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Lane N. benda - November 6 - 12:53 am

  What a neat car. Purchased as 2nd car but has become our main car. Rides as good as my 2001 Buck LaSabre. Very quiet, smooth ride. Had to have rear right wheel replaced due to RPM chip being bad. Love the red color, sun roof and rear roof skylights. Took this car to Outerbanks of NC, great gas mileage. On board computer showed 33 MPG on this trip from PA to NC. Real math showed 30 MPG, still good for a hi speed heavy load trip. Sun roof has a rattle when opened. All in all a great car for the price. Steering a bit hard at times. My wife loves it. Lot of rear leg room.