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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  STS twin turbo 3.9l ss maxx - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By wowza - March 6 - 7:43 pm

  I loved the SS Maxx from the first time I saw it. It is naturally fast. Very comfortable, and quiet (for those who like quiet, I prefer a throaty exhaust). I would totally recommend this car to anyone (modded or not)

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  Got my moneys worth - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By CEL - March 6 - 4:10 pm

  I bought car new and have put 166,000 miles on it in 7 years. The engine (2.8l) and transmission are great for what I paid. Have lived with 1and 2 blower speeds out and A/C kicking on/off for last few years. Twice I have had to have fuel pump replaced (in tank!). But overall I have gotten my moneys worth.

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  I Really Enjoy My Truck. - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Haily - March 6 - 3:36 pm

  I had owned many cars & SUVs (both small & large) and had always wanted a full size pickup truck. I purchased my Silverado and have never been sorry since. I am in the process of purchasing an extended warranty to cover my truck once the manufacturers warranty runs out in August of this year. The truck is solid & sound, very comfortable with enough power to handle whatever I need. I have the 5.3L V8 4X4 crew cab. The room interior comfort and roominess is hard to find in other trucks. I work for a Ford dealership in sales and have sold/driven most other types of trucks. I have not found one yet that have felt as safe & comfortable as my Silverado!

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  A fun car - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By ss355 - March 6 - 3:15 pm

  Bought mine with 8 miles on the clock. Now has over 165K. Its been a fun car to drive. A few quirks, certainly, but overall Ive really enjoyed the car. Not 96 Supra Turbo fast, but certainly enough ummph to get on the highway with no trouble and impress a few teenagers. Fantastic car for the highway. Plenty of room for the whole family. Large trunk. Reasonable back road performance, given the 4000+ lb. curb weight. The air pump (emissions control) and water pump have been headaches, but otherwise a fairly reliable car. Plan to drive this one till it drops.

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  Very Reliable - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gregg - March 6 - 1:34 pm

  My Impala has the Police Pursuit package as I use it as a police vehicle. This car has been very reliable. At 115,000 miles I have had to replace the cooling fans and the catalytic converter which was covered under warranty. I drive about 100 miles a day and it is very comfortable. The trunk is huge and holds all of my "goodies" and the performance is still very good. The interior is cramped with all of the accessories that I need, but it is workable. I would buy an Impala for personal use.

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  Love it - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Old Coot - March 6 - 6:06 am

  Traded in a 2003 for the 2007 with the Z71 package. Cant believe how much improvement in ride and quietness. We have the 6.0 and are very happy with the performance and gas mileage which has been 14.5 overall. Have not made any trips with it so cant say about highway mileage. Almost as much fun to drive as our Corvette. Have to say it is a great truck.

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  2007 Cobalt LT3 - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Driven - March 6 - 4:20 am

  After looking at Honda, and Mazda etc., when shopping for my next ride, none had the options/price I was looking for without buying aftermarket items. On long drives I do not suffer from fatigue I felt in previous cars or feel in other models that I get from the rental companies. My job requires extensive travel and I find myself comparing every rental I receive to my Cobalt! The Cobalt handles very well. I get a good sense of the road when behind the wheel. Simply put my Cobalt is not going anywhere unless I am driving.

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  Problems - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Richard - March 6 - 4:15 am

  Ive had intermediate steering shaft problems, replaced both Idler arms , water pump , blower modular, stereo, and now my transmission is burnt out Im real disappointed. What happened to reliability and pride in workmanship. I paid cash for a truck loaded with problems. Dont buy this truck! After 3K miles the first truck was replaced because the steering problems could not be corrected. All the problem above are on the second truck. Ive had it with this truck.

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  Chevrolet Fun with Satellite Radio - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Nancy Harrington - March 6 - 2:13 am

  Its full of pep. I like its (red) look. Subwoofer in trunk. I especially think it was clever of someone to design a foot rest near the driver door (to the left of brake pedal).

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  Dependable - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By John Gordon - March 5 - 11:57 pm

  have gotten up to 35 mpg per tankful on some roads. Has been dependable and very low cost to maintain.