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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  Excellent Car!! I Love Mine!! - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Sherry - September 26 - 9:16 am

  This car has really suprised me. The gas mileage is excellent. I get an average of 400 miles to the tank. It cost me between $30 & $35 to fill up depending on the price of gas. The most it costed was about $45. It holds 15 gallons if that helps. The car is extremely comfortable and very sporty. Men love it!! So I highly recommend it to single women.

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  Cobalt - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Cobalt - September 26 - 2:00 am

  Roomy and comfortable car with a large trunk. Low exterior noise. Window handle and seat belt keeper need to be of better quality.

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  2008 Suburban is Great! - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Jim Nowlan - September 26 - 12:35 am

  Bought our 2008 Suburban on 9/18. We were evaluating the Expedition EL and the Sub. I found the Suburban to have better interior quality. The standard suspension is very smooth. The 08 has redesigned gauge faces. They look better than the 07s. Sound system (standard) sounds great. Ebony Leather seats very comfortable. V8 Power is great. Wife took a trip from LA to Phoenix. Averaged 17 MPG with mixed City/Hwy driving. An excellent value. You cannot go wrong on this one. We got the Blue Granite Metallic paint. It is very sharp. We were staying away from normal white/silver/black.

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  Good truck but flawed - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By p driver - September 25 - 10:56 pm

  I find this truck to be reliable and fun to drive, but that changed when the transmission went out. Everyone one has no answer, and I hope that this is not the beginning of more problems.

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  2007 Avalanche LTZ - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Paul - September 25 - 11:44 am

  This is my first Avalanche after buying 5 new Silverado pickups. Its a great versatile vehicle, has near luxury car like ride with great styling and comfort.

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  Keep Away - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Frantz - September 25 - 10:00 am

  Full rotor replacement at my expense at 14,000 miles qith dealer offering to pay half then backing out.Only paid half by going to Tuffy instead of dealer and Tuffy warranteed product.Replaced valves at about 24,000, then whole engine at 26,000, constant electrical problems and ZERO help from GM or from dealer.These cars are a natural citrus product, good for lemonade!

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  Ups and Downs - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Amoore - September 25 - 10:00 am

  Wow my car is a month old, and well Its been in the shop for 2 weeks of the month I have owned it, this is not looking good. It had no problems in the first 200 miles, but after that, the transmission has been torn apart twice now to get things fixed, Valves and things I have never heard of. If you get lucky and have no problems enjoy it.

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  Good for the price - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Spoiler45 - September 25 - 10:00 am

  When it comes to price, you really cant beat the 2DR Coupe. Very comfortable on the inside, not bad on the outside. Fuel economy is what it should be for a car like this. Satisfactory leg room. Very reliable, no problems to date.

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  Import Killer - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By SMV - September 25 - 10:00 am

  My job requires me to be on the raod frequently, and this car makes that a lot more pleasant. The driving position is comfortable, and most controls (except the cruise on/off) are well laid out. The 3.8 gives plenty of "freeway merge" power, without sacrificing fuel economy. I average about 23-4 in combined city/hwy. There is plenty of room in this car, you could park a Civic in the trunk. Handling is exceptional, I feel very safe. I have had no mechanical problems, and the had ZERO defects on delivery.

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  Great Ride - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Spoiler45 - September 25 - 10:00 am

  No import can compare to the Impala LS. Surprisingly great fuel economy. Great + Unique design. Excellent power. This is a perfect sedan for a family looking for plenty of room, a good quality car, a fun ride, and something a little different than all those homogeneous imports you see all over the place. The price aint half bad either.