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:

• 

  Practical and Sporty - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Maxx999 - November 1 - 12:46 am

  Ive had my SS Malibu Maxx for 4 months and put about 5000 miles on it. I really love the car. I wasnt considering the SS until I sat in one and realized how comfortable the seats are. I test drove it and was hooked. Im not really a performance car guy but Im becoming one. Car handles beautifully and the acceleration is awesome. The regular Maxx is pretty peppy but Id encourage prospective buyers to try out the SS. The tricked out family car is cool. (Even, my friend who is a BMW devotee is jealous!) I was attracted to the Maxx b/c of its room and styling. It feels like a much more expensive European car -- but will be much more reliable.

• 

  Well Designed Auto - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By gerber - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Strong features include: Comfortable seats--both front and rear; smooth and well controlled ride; relatively little lean cornering at 65-75 mph on the freeway; smooth automatic transmission; good low and middle range torque; good gas mileage; responsive stearing;

• 

  Great buy, Great ride - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By MikeShep - October 31 - 10:00 am

  It is the most solid ride and best buy I have ever experienced. I feel safe, it looks great and rides and handles with grace and responsivness. It handled my New York winter superbly. I have not had but one minor gauge problem since purchase date. Best of all its American made with long overdue high quality "New" American standards.

• 

  great truck!! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By speedy12 - October 31 - 10:00 am

  purchased new and now have 3,500 miles on the odometer. love the 6.0 vortec,has great power through out the rpm range. tows my atvs and trailer like nothing!! the 410 limited slip is great for my back woods hunting. even though it is 2500HD, it will take you alot of places in 4 low. (i opted for the manuel shift transfer case which i love!) and still acts great on the open road. buddy has a 2003 f-150 and another a 2002 dodge, this vortec blows both of those boat anchors away! good job chevy!!

• 

  Fun and exciting - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By zdarin - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle, very minor problem with inside headliner(glue didnt hold), but it is a 1st yr model, and it is very sleek looking with great looking exterior, interior

• 

  CAR - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By F1333 - October 31 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR IS BETTER THAN ANY IMPORT

• 

  Amazing Ride - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Delreal98 - October 31 - 8:28 am

  Other shoppers should know how efficient this car is. It drives very smooth and helps you save gas by putting the vehicle in fuel economy mode. It is honestly the best car I have ever droven. Most importantly other than my new Chevy Cruze being as beautiful as it is, it also makes me feel safe!

• 

  Great car - 1995 Chevrolet Caprice
  By dweller - October 31 - 2:00 am

  Great car. shame they stopped making them. more style and power than youd expect.

• 

  I LOVE this car!!! - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Andrew Shaw - October 31 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased a 91 Covertible camaro with the 305 V-8, and I have to say, this is the most fun car to drive that I have ever owned. The motor is strong, the car handles like a vette, and the convertible is a MUST have! I will own this car the rest of my life, no doubt about it. My advise is, buy one of these cars, because before you know it, they will be HISTORY!

• 

  I like it, I like it a lot - 2000 Chevrolet Metro
  By Whisphers - October 31 - 2:00 am

  ok, ok. So its small, but probably much bigger that you think. This is a car created specifically for the just out of college, kind of got a job, but its far away - no family person. When I bought it, I didnt want a cavalier and focuses & echos were brand new (and not available in my area), so this was I got. I love it. My insurance is cheap and all Ive had to fix is the air filter.