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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  Awesome SS - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By ken&roe - November 28 - 11:56 am

  I have owned alot of cars but none compare with this one. This car is just plain fun and has its own personality. Chevrolet got his one right!

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  Great job for Chevy - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By stanley - November 28 - 8:56 am

  This van is great. Its my first van and I drive it all the time. We drove it to on a 500 mile trip and the seats were very comfortable even for the three kids. We have we only stopped for gas one time and for a break. No back problems driving this van and my wife has back problems. Its very fun to drive on a long trip. I never liked minivans until I got this one. We love it.

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  Impala SS - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Garsarno - November 28 - 12:26 am

  If you drive it, you will buy it! The SS version is a great all around car. I still have not enjoyed the Bose music system because I cannot get enough of the exhaust sound. Has 800 miles on it and no problems whatsoever. The interior is very functional, back seat bottom folds up to reveal a storage area that can take a beating versus the leather. Trunk is very large and the ride, while some say it is not firm enough, is almost perfect. The tire replacement cost is going to be high (18") but the cars performance and workability is a big plus. I recommend a test drive of the SS version. Once you do, you will not consider the lesser versions.

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  2.0 is the way to go! - 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Rick Rajala - November 27 - 10:01 pm

  Great ride- firm but smooth and quiet. Acceleration is strong but linear- not sudden jerk. Average 30 MPG. Handling is sporty- but not a sports sedan. Transmission shifts smoothly and always in the right gear- no hunting. Seats are comfortable. Forward visibility is good, but headlights just adequate. Side and rear pillars block view- rear camera helps with backing, but not great- maybe just need to get used to it. Forward Collision Assist is okay, but rain and fog can cause inaccurate calculation which has resulted in sudden braking for no reason- no cars on rural road. Side mirror alert also shows a ghost vehicles- ie none there. Lane Assist does not work well in wet weather.

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  King of the Hill - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By shoknawe - November 27 - 8:39 pm

  Picked the car up two days ago, replacing my 03 Z06 that I thought couldnt be matched. This car is far beyond words. The power is absolutely intoxicating,and its stance is without equal. Sure, I couldve bought a Porsche or Ferrari. If I had, I really would have hated to get "spanked" by a dude in his Z06. Thankfully, I get to avoid that distasteful experience and do the spanking myself. This is definitely the "Heartbeat of America!"

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  Great Choice - 2006 Chevrolet Suburban
  By woz - November 27 - 7:57 pm

  Bought this Z71 loaded except for the Nav system. Four trips over 600 miles each way in total comfort and luxury. Fun and comfortable to drive and ride in. Glad I chose this after driving and researching all the others in the large class. Small click under dash at steering wheel when spedometer hits 10mph. No one knew what it was until they finally discovered it was the brake system going thru a self check. Center bucket seats could be more easily adjusted for entry to the rear.

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  My little avalanche - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By crabby blue - November 26 - 8:16 pm

  I love my Avalanche, but gas prices made me turn to the HHR. I love the style and simple features, no XM radio or OnStar needed. I love it without $500 opional running boards. Drives like a dream and the sport suspension just screams to run the windy roads. Reminds me of an Escort GT I owned. Wanted the orange, but could not find one so went with a black just off the truck. Will be taking it on three 2000 mile round trips to FL this year and can not wait to get on the highway. So far it runs like a dream. Put flames on it first day and people always stop to look at it. Get out of the way PT

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  Why Ill not own another U.S. SUV - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By F. X. McGrath - November 26 - 8:13 pm

  Too many mechanical problems after 60,000 miles. Replaced fuel pump, water pump, instrument cluster, (speedometer stopped working), replaced horn, engine gasket, steering problems. For a vehicle of this age and mileage these types of problems should not occur. Ill not own another Chevy. My next vehicle will be Japanese or German. U.S. auto makers need to make a more reliable vehicle if they want to compete.

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  The best car Ive ever owned - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By D - November 26 - 3:36 pm

  I would not own anything other than an Impala. The car rides nice, handles well for the size, great power, outstanding looks, plenty of room.

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  Love My ZO6 - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Big Gar - November 26 - 10:01 am

  This is my first Vette.It is truly unbelievable. It cruises the highways smoothly with no effort at all, then downshift and hold on it is gone. MPG is great, as I have made several long trips and averaged 26.7 mpg. Who needs a hybrid? The heat of the center console is tolerable for a while, then move your leg, just too hot. The faster I went in this rocket the better the handling felt. Taking mountain roads with signs saying 25 mph or 35 mph on tight curves and even hairpins at twice that speed was nothing for this car. Have had two other makes of American built so called rockets back down from this car.