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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  Great Truck - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By George P. Burdell - August 14 - 8:00 pm

  Great truck. Drives like a car.

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  First Car - 1996 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Franklin - August 13 - 11:28 pm

  This was my first car in 2001 and it still is my only car. I wrecked it once (my fault), but I got it repaired and I have never had a problem other than normal wear. I live in a small town of 8,500 and most older cars (not classics) are the Caviler, the Corsica and the Beretta. Practically everyone who has ever owned one of those three say that they wont die. I dont want to ever get rid of my Beretta.

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  Outstanding - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
  By Brent - August 13 - 8:26 pm

  This vehicle is my daily driver. It will definitely exceed the EPA listed mileage. Im currently averaging 35+ mpg in mixed city/highway driving. Given the nature of this car, performance was not at the top of my list, but it will move when you ask it to, and get solid mileage the rest of the time.

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  Motor issues - 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Eddie Doherty - August 13 - 4:46 pm

  Car performs good but within 5 months had 4 recalls had to replace some part . They give me a free oil change but I know that it was to see if I was using that special oil that was required because motor Pistons were melting, destroyiing the engines and if oil wasnt right it was your baby. I hope to make it till lease is up then unload it before some-thing happens to motor. Gmac will try to dump it on you if motor melts, they dont give away oil changes for nothing , they just wanted to see if I had that special oil! I will not least another one until motors have been improved. JUST BEWARE

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  GM Problem child - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dave douglass - August 13 - 1:00 pm

  Back to the dealership approx. 23 times for different repairs each time. Combined with other GM problem child in my driveway I decided to rid myself of this unreliable headache. From intermediate steering shafts to leaf springs, leaking output shaft seals, frame tears, leaking weatherstripping, engine knock, power window failures, u- joints, interior falling off etc. etc. this is a big reason that the imports consistently score higher when it comes to build quality and dependability. Chevy- if this is "our truck", we in big trouble!

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  Great car for all - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By rick burns - August 13 - 12:13 pm

  My wife And I purchased this car during a snowy wet cold Tuesday night in January. We (and about 5 salesmen) were the only people in the dealership. Bottom line, we stole this gem for around $8900.00 +tax. We had rebates and a $2000.00 coupon. The car is great on gas, 30mpg. We use it for work and a back-up. The interior is a little cramped when all 4 of us are in it. It looks just as good as the day we bought it . We garage it and are meticulous with the care of it. The front would shake during stopping and the wheel covers were squeaking. A quick trip to the dealer to cut the rotors and grease the contact points of were the rubber bumpers contacted the metal and we were good to go.

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  car kicks . . . - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By MAtthew - August 13 - 2:00 am

  i bought this car a short will ago it has been great havent had to do anything to it exept for some new rims because the caps r ugly but other than that it has made it from colorado to massachusetts and california without any problems exept for gas!!

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  Love My Car - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Lynniepooh - August 13 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. When I was looking and I was looking for a car I wanted a safe, goodlooking car. A lot of the safe cars are old people looking. The Monte Carlo is for all ages. I was so picky on finding a car. It took me 3 years to find the one I like.

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  A Great Car! - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Mayur - August 13 - 2:00 am

  Just bought the LS with leather, power sunroof, spoiler, upgraded sound system with the cassette. PAID $17,000 out the door with TAXES...had $2500 on my gm credit card rebate and plus $3000 from GM....cant beat yeah I know when I am going to sell it... i will get 1-2K less then a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry...but guess what? I PAID 7-10K to begin with!! BTW, JDPower ranks Malibu Best Entry Midsize...GO AMERICAN CARS! :)

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  Electronic nightmare - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Brooks1 - August 13 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a brand new 2003 LT with all the gadgets (including DVD). It was extremely comfortable and smooth riding. However, the electronic climate control system had a problem where the A/C would go wide open no matter what temp. setting you had it on. Also, the headlights flicker on and off. After 4 trips to the GM dealership, I left it with them and got my old car back. I also have a 2001 Suburban LT which has been great. However, because of GMs lack of service and knowledge on the 2003, the next one I buy will be from another manufacturer. Warning - If you buy the 2003 with all the electronic gadgets, dont expect much support from GM.