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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  Corvette - No Thanks - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Gary - January 6 - 1:28 pm

  If you have or plan to buy a Corvette, you better have a fat pocket book. I just got rid of my 1999 Corvette because I was tired of putting money into it. Although it turns heads and is fun to drive it all boils down to that this car is junk, especially for a "hand made" car. Mine was not a daily driver and was garage kept. Im even anal about having a spot on it. All scheduled maintenance had been done. Maybe I got a lemon. All I can say is never let your extended warranty expire. My Corvette had 25,500 miles when I got rid of it. Problems? Bald Goodyear tires $1350 for Michelins. Bad window motor $600. Fuel gauge not working $979. New gas tank $715.

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  Good car for a low price - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jeff - January 6 - 10:29 am

  After 2,000 miles there have been no problems. 26 mpg avg for city driving. The 4 cylinder has plenty of pep. Nice set of standard features on the base model plus we really like the 5 star safety rating for side impact when equiped with full side curtain air bags.

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  Sweet Ride - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Da Man - January 6 - 10:00 am

  Overall a very nice truck. I have no problems with it what so ever. It is quick off the line, and handles the corners better then my friends Ford. Great Pickup truck. I love the engine. The Transmission though seems to shift into 4th too soon. Other then that, I have no problems with the truck.

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  Tight and Quiet - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jville1 - January 6 - 1:44 am

  Just passed the 1k mark and everything is go, except the bluetooth links to my Iphone about 80% of the time. Been to the dealer. Reflashed but still problem persists. I give up and have just learned to live with it. I have a regular cab 2014 Silverado WT2 4.3 that I love for its more compact size. Doesnt create a hazard when parking at the local Publix. When in the shop for the bluetooth problem, I was provided a 2014 5.3 extended cab. Think the 4.3 is actually peppier and slightly more economical. Save your money and opt for the 4.3 for everyday use. Taken back by the rude treatment I received from the dealer service writer. Not treated with loyalty as I am at the VW dealership.

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  Never Buy a First-Year Product! - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By j_r_denver - January 6 - 12:50 am

  This truck replaced a 2001 Dodge Dakota. It is equipped as a 4x4 extended cab with the I-4 engine, which is a horrible mismatch for a truck of this weight. The construction of the box is terrible, with noticeable gaps in the welds where the floor of the box joins the front wall. It came from the factory with the front end out of alignment. It has had non-stop power steering problems, The pump was replaced under warranty, after having not been properly filled at the factory. The replacement was also noisy. It is now down because of failure of the high- pressure hose. Several bowtie-fan friends have called it a lousy representation of a what a Chevy truck should be.

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  My Malibu is great - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Leslie - January 5 - 10:03 pm

  This car is much nicer than I thought. Ive always liked Malibus, but the new body and nice angle on dash is great. It drives great, and its great on gas. Love my new Chevy!

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  My first new truck - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Coach Stew - January 5 - 6:46 pm

  I have wanted a truck for some time and choose this vehicle over the F-150. My experience so far with this vehicle has confirmed I made the right choice. I particularly like the fact that it does ride very smooth. I dont like the fact that the air conditioner automatically switches back to outside air. I havent figured that out yet.

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  Corvette owner RPC - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By russell cole - January 5 - 3:36 pm

  I traded a 1991 converble for my 2001 Corvette. The z06 was the fastest car that I have ever owned. However, the ride was not comfortable as expected and the rear wheels or road nose was very loud when driving on the freeway. The acceleration was amazing. The Corvette is a fun car to drive.

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  A Maxx love affair - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Lynne - January 5 - 2:16 pm

  Our Maxx has been dependable, fun to drive and has met all our needs. It corners great and is easy to handle in all situations. The load capacity is perfect for carrying groceries, passengers and lawn and garden products as well as home improvement items. The highway mileage is great. We have has much leg room as our last car a Mercury Grand Marquis.

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  Overall Satisfaction - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By 04 Impala LS - January 5 - 12:11 pm

  Very satisfied. Gas mileage not as much as I thought would be about 24 mpg. A few warranty issues with brakes and rotors, speedometer, steering column, paint chipping on volume button for steering wheel. Luckily everything covered under warranty. Very nice car otherwise