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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  Corvette Convertable - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Carloscano - October 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is AWESOME.

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  Great Family Car - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By SusanM - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I have 4 yr old twin boys and this car fits our family just right. Plenty of room for everyone and the boys love "MOMMYS NEW TRUCK". We have the 3rd seat in our Tahoe which folds up with ease to fit groceries,sports equipment or beach gear! We live on a steep hill and I cant wait to try out the 4WD when the snow hits us hear in New England! I would highly recommend this vehicle. Drives like a car not a truck!

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  GREAT CHOICE - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By rmpd8680 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I WANTED A GREAT SPORTS CAR AND CAME ACROSS THIS ONE. NO PROBLEMS, FUN TO DRIVE, COUNLDNT GET BETTER FOR YOUR MONEY. MINE HAS 57000 THOUSAND MILES AND STILL GOING STRONG. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

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  SSs are great - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By hal_396 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Purchased 2 years ago. Only drive it 6000 miles per year. The fun factor is off the scale. Just as fun as a vette but at a fraction of the cost.

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  Stop bitching about mpg - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By tom1967 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  The car is beyond anything I ever drove in that price range. The mpg is pretty damm good remember there are 405 ponies what do you think they drink air? Please stop complaining about mpg thatÂ’s like saying I want the light very bright in the room but I dont want a high electric bill. P.S. Pay for the gas or go drive a Yugo.

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  Buy American! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bossnj1 - October 20 - 2:00 pm

  Many of us have been waiting for an American car that is built with quality craftsmanship, superior performance, and smart styling. Be assured that the day has arrived- the Malibu is the real deal. I traded my 01 VW "New" Passat, and while I loved that car, it became very expenisve to maintain and was less than reliable. This car handles very similar (may even be better), has 60 more horsepower, and has similar quality feel and smart styling- all for +$2,000 less than I paid for my VW 7 years ago!! This car has lively acceleration, is very comfortable and quiet, and handles extremely well. Couple that with very smart, modern styling, an afordable price and you have a mid-size leader!

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  S-10 is an excellent choice for students - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jonathon Simmons - October 20 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Xtreme S-10 truck for 1about 1 1/2 years now and I have not had any mechanical problems other than normal wear. This truck has been very reliable to me while I was in school and driving a lot of miles. I would not recommend the regular cab truck to someone who is any taller than 6 feet unless you dont mind being a little crammed. This truck is an excellent decision for a student who wants a truck that is reliable, fun to drive, looks awesome, and is relatively inexpensive.

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  corvette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By dodgerfan1 - October 20 - 2:00 am

  it was awesome,crazy,groin grabbinly good, ca

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  2003 Z71 - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Gary Schimmelpfennig - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Its still new, no problems, fit and finish are excellent. Arlington did a good job building this one.

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  I love my malibu - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ktcjt - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I have enjoyed my malibu. great family vehicle. we have taken many long and short trips in this care, truck size is great, ride is smooth and comfortable. 4 adults can comfortably sit in the car. Need some work on the brake system, the glove compartment doesnt close flush, and the a/c system constantly gets leaves in the coils.