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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  review for edmunds - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By john - October 24 - 10:46 am

  12000 miles drive everyday to work have had wheels rotated and 2 oil changes so far no problems. have leather opted for remote start should have gotten the heated seats. wife dont drive it because she says its to long, Im use to it by now. has been a great truck so far no problems.

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  Great Value - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By credman - October 24 - 2:00 am

  Went from a 92 Lumina w/193,000 miles to a 02 Demo Malibu w/6,000 miles. Love my Malibu. Hope I dont have the same brake probs. w/the Malibu, but, judging from the comments here I just might have them. No one bothered to mention the Stainless Steel exhaust which NEVER got replaced on my Lumina, as well as the original shocks. Saved a small forune on them alone. Good power, plenty of space in the Malibu. Very much like it.

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  America is coming back - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By mike - October 24 - 12:50 am

  After being shut out in the cold for over 3 solid decades, the American auto industry is taking an about face with customer satisfaction and all out quality. Not a bad word to say about the Malibu, smooth ride, great start up, superb gas mileage and handling. Hope that things come around more so in the future and will be looking forward to support our American economy again!!

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  Pleasures of a Chevy Silverado - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Richard Ward - October 23 - 5:40 am

  The right balance for a good comfortable pickup. Quiet, comfortable, good gas milage and good looks.

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  Camaro - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Keith S. - October 23 - 2:00 am

  You will try to find a reason to go for a drive if you own own one of these. A blast to drive!

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  Great Car! - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Cavalier Owner - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love with this car from the first time that I test drove it. The LS version has larger wheels which make for a great drive. The only maintainance that I have to do on it is the standard oil changes and services.

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  First time Corvette owner - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By pkw - October 22 - 6:50 am

  i sprung for the Z-51 package that includes larger tires and a more suspension goodies. Although the suspension is most impressive, the active handling system is very protective. If you are a novice, it will protect you from driving beyond your limits. That said, I have not had it on the track to see what happens when I turn off the AHS. Spinning the tires with the AHS and traction control on is very difficult. If you turn off the traction control and AHS, you can light em up all day long.

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  They dont make them like this anymore - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ryan Yinkey - October 22 - 2:00 am

  This is an extremly nice truck, it has more then enough power to tow a heavy load and accerate like you wouldnt believe with the 4.3L. Its a very reliable truck and will do anything you ask it. Extremly reliable, weve had this truck for about 9 years and still runs like its brand new. Take care of this truck and it will take care of you

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  1999 - Chevy Prizm - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Tomcated - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I got the prizm bran new from the dealer and since then it has not fail me, I have about 120,000 miles on it and it still runs like new. I like it because it does what it needs to do, take me to work and back. Fuel economy is good. It came loaded with CD player, sunroof, power everything, driver, passenger and side airbags. Yes, there is little run on the back, but I am the only one who drives, so who cares. I dont care what people think of the prizm, I like it and its going to be hard to get rid of this car.

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  1992 Convertible - 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
  By NJ VETTE - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Have a 1992 Convertible with the removable fiberglass top. This car has been great overall. I am relatively rough on cars (acceleration etc) and the vette holds its own. The tranny went around 78K which was a big suprise (as my brothers 1987 has 150K miles and is still on the original tranny). Even with the tranny I still think this car will last another 3 years easy.