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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  Surprisingly Classy - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By skygirl - November 21 - 5:50 pm

  We just love our 2009 Chevy Malibu! We were looking for a compact car to add to the household but after we test drove the Malibu we just fell in love with it and decided to go for it. We test drove Mazda and we have tried Honda but this American car surprised us. We are Asians and weve always had Japanese/Korean cars and with all the bad rep American cars are getting this model came as a surprise. Costs thousands less than a BMW, or a Mercedes, and definitely a better pick than a Nissan Altima, or Honda Accord. For very frugal people like us, we definitely recommend the Chevy Malibu, very classy and safe car for less money.

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  2003 Silverado - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Tom s - November 21 - 4:53 pm

  No maintenance issues. This truck is more comfortable to drive than any of my cars. I towed a trailer with a used car across country and got over 17 miles to the gallon. Most of that trip was on two lane roads and through towns.

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  Best purchase of the year - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By chris - November 21 - 4:13 pm

  Purchased this truck used with under 26000 miles. Great truck and plenty of room for me and the crew inside the cab. Traded in my 1979 Silverado and havent looked back. These Chevys are built to last as my last truck was a testiment to that fact. The 04 drives like a car and handles like a dream. The 5.3 liters is more than enough power to pass the folks doing 75 MPH in the fast lane. The Bose stereo has lots of thump for the headbangers and air guitarist. Caution air guitar is not recommended while driving. If I could do it all over again I wouldnt change a thing except for not buying this truck sooner.

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  It really is the truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By thelegs - November 21 - 6:10 am

  What an amazing truck. I have had it for a little over a month and put almost 3200 miles on it. New Duramax is incredible. Very little turbo lag. Everything about this truck is the way a truck should be. All the toys and finally a power rear slider integrated trailer brake rear parking assist. Navigation is easy to use and ride is actually improved

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  brandon - 1990 Chevrolet Caprice
  By Brandon coyne - November 21 - 2:00 am

  this car rocks it is one of the best reliabl cars i have everbought

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  Im Impressed1 - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Big Daddy - November 20 - 6:23 am

  I owned a 2001 MB 500SL and decided to try the Corvette. I am glad I made the change! I believe Chevrolet really put a winner together! It is a sexy looking and powerful machine.

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  1998 SS - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By BBS III - November 20 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but fun in my SS for the past four years. It has been reliable with only the turning signal lamps needing to be replaced. Maintenance on consumables has been easily performed and the car still looks and handles great. Great job by SLP and GM.

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  2000 Camaro - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jasons Camaro - November 20 - 2:00 am

  my camaro runs just fin and I have had no problems with it at all. I love it and it is the best thing that I have ever bought.

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  Racing machine - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Hector - November 20 - 2:00 am

  This car has it all. Looks and HPs Fun to drive with a few modifications to the engine and it runs like a devil not to mention that it turns heads.

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  best small car - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By vernon moore - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I am 78 and for all around car, this is probrably best car I have ever had. I like to drive it. It is peppy and gets great gas milage. what a savings on gas if everyone owned one. It is the quietest car I have ever had.