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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  Affordable Luxury - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Maribel Munoz - October 13 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is a beautiful and an affordable car. Great for those people who like luxury cars but cant afford them. Its very spacious and drives like your floating on air. I recently got into a car accident and lost my car. But I will definately purchase another Chevy Malibu!

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  A Beautiful Mind - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By matt2002 - October 13 - 10:00 am

  I love my 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, it has all the room you need and is a sporty SUV, that turns alot of heads!! With the 4WD and locking deferation you can go in all conditions!!

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  Didnt Last Well - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By ChevNoMore - October 13 - 9:36 am

  Bought with 42k miles. Right away, started to have trouble starting and the headlights wobble causing a flicker effect (Ive noticed this on many other Malibu Ive seen at night). Both things were fixed, light problem started again soon after. Drivers door doesnt always stay open, has shut on my leg many times! Around 50k started to shudder at moderate speeds and when braking. At around 60k CD player started to not accept and/or not spit out CDs. The best part: 60k, 5 year old car, a pin shears off, the timing chain snaps, and $4000+ worth of engine damage- almost the bluebook of the car!!! Chevy covered some of the repair costs, but not enough in my opinion- it was a manufacturing defect.

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  Impala #1 - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By susan - October 13 - 6:30 am

  Starts easily, excellent low speed pickup, great hi speed overdrive, consistent mileage (25-27). Very nice stereo/cd (easy for non pros to enjoy), quiet inside & out. Comfortable smooth ride except for one place where it vibrates from the road. Very responsive in tight places. Excellent cargo space and accessability. Good long trip car, but maybe a bit more road noise control.

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  2008 is not a 2006 or 2007 - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By David - October 13 - 4:03 am

  Bought it 30 days ago. Love it. Got a LT loaded, Leather seats and all. Big difference with a loaded HHR and a basic HHR. Cost was 18K.

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  Remote start - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jerry Hobson - October 13 - 3:48 am

  Only works 10’ from truck

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  We love our "Burban" - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Joanne - October 12 - 9:55 pm

  We really like our 07 Suburban. We had a 2004 but decided to purchase the 07 for two reasons. As the mother, I wanted to get it because of the side curtain airbags and the backing up sensors and camera. My husband wanted to buy it because it is "sweet." We havent had it long, but did lots of research and dont think we will regret it. We have black exterior, black leather so Im not sure if we have any mismatched colors like the other reviews. I really wish GM would put moms on their beta team for future models.

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  All day, every day Chevy - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Tim - October 12 - 11:06 am

  Very few 2500 4WD 3/4 ton on west coast. Vehicle drives extremely well on wet pavement. Comfort is excellent, plenty of room in the back for food, kids etc. Compared with Tahoe, for the same price but with 3 extra feet of cargo space. XM satellite radio does not work on major roads where I live in Washington. Wish it came without wood grain finish, but only in LS models. Center console is a little confusing

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  SSR Super Stinky Roadster - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By kajunteddy - October 12 - 3:11 am

  It looks real good sitting beside the road while you wait for the tow truck. It looks good in the dealership repair shop. It would even look good in your garage if you could get it from the dealer to your garage. This is the worst made GM product and least stood behind. Forget the three year/ 36 K mile roadside towing assistance,(Which you will need) because GM will not honor it. If you want a quality built $50K vehicle, buy foreign.

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  National Lampoons Vacation - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Ed - October 11 - 10:40 am

  Do you remember National Lampoons Vacation? My truck looks like the family truckster. I traded in my Durango to get better gas mileage and thats what I am getting. As of yet no issues. She actually scoots along better then you think for a 4 banger. Although I miss having an armrest or console to throw my cell change or anything else. Shes a little sloppy when you round a corner. Other then that, I work 7 days a week and put 450 miles on every week. Plus, she looks nice being victory red and street package. I am still surprised with this truck. Keep in mind one of my techs has a 2004 with 165,000 miles already he drives everyday and all day. Except for oil changes never skipped a beat.