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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  Gone to the Maxx - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By BC from GA - May 6 - 6:20 pm

  I was looking for a car for my 50 mile commute each day. I need something comfortable and economical. My Dad has a 92 Corsica with almost 200K miles and gets great mileage. I looked at Honda (owned 3), Toyota, and Nissan (currently my wifes car), and Hyundai econoboxes. Was astounded at the gas mileage from the V6. Very comfortable car. I have the maintenance done when required (the car tells me!) and that is it. Has great sound system and love the moon roofs in the back! I went from a Lincoln Town Car (another great car for the money and mpg to boot) to this and the ride is almost as plush. The ABS and Traction Control are wonderful. I love my Malibu Maxx & plan on driving 4ever!

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  2005 Z71 Silverado Ext Cab - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bruce - May 6 - 3:33 am

  Great ride, comfortable interior, and good gas mileage, but I dont like the new 3.42 gears. Would like my old 3.73s back.

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  96 Chevy S-10 - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Singleton - May 6 - 2:00 am

  After owning my S-10 for about four years, I would recommend it to anyone. I have taken it places you would never believe and if you enjoy smaller trucks, dont overlook this one.

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  4 dr police package - 1995 Chevrolet Caprice
  By cskribbles - May 6 - 2:00 am

  great car. chevrolet really did it with this car...150,000 miles on the body. all major components replaced at 70,000. fast and fun to drive. no problems to this day.

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  the zed - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By morbid zed - May 6 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car wrecked and has been one of the best investments Ive made. ---FIX FOR THE GETRAG 5SPD RATTLE--- USE 2.5-3 QUARTS OF B&M TRICKSHIFT OR STICKSHIFT SYNTHETIC WITH .5 QUART OF SATURN

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  its a chevrolet - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By bink7 - May 6 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR, HAVE NOT HAD ONE PROBLEM WITH IT IN THE LAST 2 AND 1/2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. RIDES GREAT LOOKS SHARP AND IT PERFORMS WELL IN ALL AREAS AS LONG AS COMMON SENSE IS USED WHEN DRIVING. MY ONLY BEEF (MINOR) IS THAT I THOUGHT THE GAS MILAGE WOULD BE A LITTLE BETTER, GETS ABOUT 28 TO 30 MILES PER GALLON. MY WIFE HAS A 2000 SATURN AND SHE LOVES IT, BUT TO ME THIS CAVALIER IS A MUCH MORE SOLIDLY BUILT AUTOMOBILE.

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  Chevy Wins Again - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Huryinhawks - May 6 - 2:00 am

  Dont be swayed by people who say "they dont like their Blazer" They are few and far between. I am 31 years old and my wife and i leased our 2001 white Xtreme Blazer. The only time we had to take it in to the shop was when the brake light switch went out, they had a recall and it was fixed. This is a great vehicle and we will most defintely buy another one when this lease is up, its nice seeing kids and grown adults admiring your vehicle when your out and about.

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  2011 Equinox Update - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By vwalburn - May 6 - 1:30 am

  Weve owned our Equinox for about 4 months now and have 4000 miles on it. The longer we own it, the more we like it. We test drove many other vehicles but just kept coming back to the style, room and comfort of the Chevy. Were big Honda fans so the CR-V was the leading candidate going in but did not compare well at all to the Chevy in style, room, interior features or design. The Honda seemed very cheaply built compared to the Equinox. Everyone should at least give the Equinox a good look while shopping for their next crossover. features and design many other vehicles and just kept coming back to the style, room and comfort of the Chevy

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  LOVE IT! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
  By dmz28 - May 5 - 10:13 pm

  Just bought this hybrid slightly used. The first tank of combined city/highway driving came in at 29.7 mpg! Very comfortable and quiet car. Lots of features standard equipment, cant wait to take it on a long vacation. Exterior styling is beautiful, my friends are very impressed!

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  Im Hooked - 1995 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Roxie2288 - May 5 - 2:00 am

  I Bought my Corsica used, almost 7 years old. I have replaced the radiator and that is about it. Im no mechanic and have really beat on my car, yet it still runs beautifully. I get comments frequently about how smooth it rides. How it stops on a dime, etc. I think with all the luxury cars and such on the market, thats a heck of a compliment!