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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  Loving It - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By SDauper - April 18 - 1:20 am

  This is definitely the car for me. I am getting 33.9 mpg on the highway and 27.8 in the city. The new electronic power steering is great, no dead space when wheel is at center. I live in Southern Wisconsin and this car tracks great in the snow and ice. Select shift transmission makes slippery take offs a snap. Traction control works very well. Factory installed keyless remote start sure makes window scraping a breeze. Not to mention heated seats in cloth. Dont have to have leather if you dont want it. The shift into passing gear is extremely smooth, dont get a big head jerk as the car gears down. Plenty of passing power on the interstates. I highly recommend this car to anyone.

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  2006 Equinox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By J - April 17 - 1:03 pm

  Love the car. Totally roomy, lots of storage, my dog LOVES the backseat! I am also impressed with the gas mileage...Im getting around 21 MPG with highway/city/TRAFFIC mix.

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  Towing, Hauling & Feeling Good - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Rick Waterman - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle was the perfect fit for a family of six that camps, hauls gear, drives to vacation destinations, and tows a boat. Nice features and ride make it feel like a luxury vehicle, but the marvel is in the engineering and safety.

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  If only.............. - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By dakota - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The car is an absolute joy to drive. Abundant power, adequate creature comforts and stunning performance/handling. Unfortunately it burns oil. 1qt for every 1500 miles. If GM could only address this problem without the need to prove that it is happening.

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  Wonder Car - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By william_Tarasen - April 17 - 2:00 am

  5700 miles on the 02 Z06. Averaging 25.6 MPG, over 30 on trips. Great road car, comfortable, pulls moutains in 6th gear with ease. Digital cruise is a charm. Car is noisy on rough roads without insulation but does an exceptional job of not beating you up. 1-4 shift around town is a pain, I find myself either exceeding 3000 RPM or doing a 1-3 shift. It is by far the most fun/powerful/best handling car I have ever driven.

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  My Beretta Indy - 1990 Chevrolet Beretta
  By MAJ28 - April 16 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, its 13 years old and still looking nice. Cheap to repair in most cases. Lots of power.

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  trips - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By coupstair - April 16 - 2:00 am

  excellent

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  I love my Malibu!!!! - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By monica - April 16 - 2:00 am

  This is actually my 6th car in 12 years. I have had everything from Hondas, Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles, Chevys, and Fords. I was reluctant to but another Chevy, however, after intensive research I found the Malibu. This car received major good reviews from a lot of car publications. I have had my car for almost a year and I am completely satisfied. I am really hard on cars, especially the brakes, and my car has held up VERY well. I have a fully loaded LS, this was one of the best purchases I have made.

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  Pauls review - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ptankers - April 16 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely no problems with this vehicle--quiet for a convertible. Incredible performance form a pushrod V8. I had a 540i BMW befpre. No comparison to the corvette in performance of my experience so far with quality.

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  My Graduation Present - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Fuffy - April 15 - 2:00 am

  We shopped for the Tahoe for over a year. We have been driving it now over a year and love it as much as the day we bought it. Loads of space, easy to drive despite its large look. Flexible seating arrangement make it great for whatever the need. We are actully looking at getting a second one.