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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  Lots of car for the money - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By George - March 26 - 11:00 am

  Feels, drives, and is equipped like a much more expensive car. Bought for wifey, she loves it too. Other car is an 06 Chrysler 300C, which of course I like even more, but this Maxx does not feel like too big a step down when I drive it, unlike the 02 Malibu we traded which was dependable but a noisy cheap ride. This is much more like it. The car was an absolute bargain. The current "Red Tag Sale" for 06 models is disguised rebate of $2500 to $3000 depending on region of US you live in. With GM credit card earnings of $2600, took home for under 15K, sticker was 22,700. Note of caution, about mid- model year, GM did not change invoice, but cut MSRP by 5%. Late 2006 MSRP closer to 21,700

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  My Review - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jayman2176 - March 25 - 9:07 pm

  I bought this car from my aunt at 61,000 miles. I have had some of the same problems that most of you did. Brakes go in 15,000 miles even with aftermarket brakes. ABS sensor goes bad. Faulty automatic winder motors. Pull goes out. The base line performance lacks but I many performance parts added to the motor and suspension. It made it a good track car after modification. But all and all it still an American made car which means it will never be better than a 7 out of 10.

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  Great Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Clint - March 25 - 7:25 pm

  I have nothing but good things to say about the Avalanche. It rides great, handles perfect, the stereo has great sound and bass and the fuel mileage is better than I expected.

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  Excellent around town car. - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By thewren2 - March 25 - 7:19 pm

  Very comfortable around town car in all weather situations. Very good small family car.

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  Family sedan at econobox price - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By John Waltz - March 25 - 4:51 pm

  A lot of internal space, very comfortable driving. Drives well with automatic and 2 adults + 3 kids + a lot of camping gear.

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  Dont Look Further - This Is It - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Dont Look Further - March 25 - 4:36 pm

  This is my 10th Corvette and General Motors finally has done it. No more water washes the speakers when you open the trunk, That problem power antenna is gone. And every thing I used to have to add on is already there. Ie. Nice stereo thats loud enough and amplifiers amd mp3. This has it all and its darn nice.

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  Very Good Compact! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Ron Sedor - March 24 - 8:27 pm

  I own two of these cars, an 07 sedan and a 04 five door. I have been very impressed with the handling and ride quality of the 04. With some adroit shifting I have been able to achieve 32 mpg city/highway. I have had no problem traveling up a good sized incline in 5th gear.(altough many reveiwers say this is not possible). Altough the shifting may not be as percise as some of its Japanese counterparts, I personely perfer the longer shifter stalk in the Aveo. Altogether a very good subcompact.

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  Best Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By JLT - March 24 - 5:50 pm

  Got the 6.6 Duramax with the Alison 6 speed, only way to go! Did my Consumer review research and found Chevy diesel rated the best all round of the Big 3 for 08! Cant even complain about the mileage. Adverage of 18 mpg, 21 mpg at 55-60 crusing the interstate (unloaded). Love how the Alison tranny grabs hold of the engine when the tow mode is turned on and sounds awesome. I got he 17" rims with my truck which I highly recommend.

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  Problem from hell - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By James - March 24 - 2:01 pm

  Since having the recall on the brake switch done Ive have nothing but problems with my brakes locking up, ABS Faults and the dealship says its not covered after 10k miles and that the recall did not cause it, and to fix would cost over $1500. The fuel mileage is nowhere near what they say it is Hwy 22-24 Im lucky if i get 15- 16 and I only get 10-12 city. Thinking about trading in for a better vehicle.

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  Now theres no excuse to buy imports - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tdcrawford - March 24 - 12:10 pm

  We recently purchased the new 08 Malibu LT w/ the 2LT package after test driving multiple sedans. We tried the LT with the 4cyl engine but the pickup was atrocious. Also, the electric steering feels too sensitive while at the same time feeling sluggish. The V-6 engine on the other hand has ample power. The hydraulic steering compliments the additional power with more responsiveness and better feel. On the other hand, the TapShift rarely seems to come in handy. It can be quite difficult to feel when you need to shift, so you often find yourself trying to read the tachometer (which shouldnt be necessary in a sedan such as this one).