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:

• 

  I love my 2009 Malibu LTZ V6! - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By laurainlouisiana - October 31 - 8:33 pm

  Ive had my red Malibu LTZ V6 almost 2 weeks and I absolutely love it. It looks like a million bucks - everywhere I go people ask me, "What kind of car is that? Its so pretty!" It drives like a 4 door sports car and handles like a dream. So far it is getting 30-31 mpg on the hwy and 18-22 in the city. It seems to get a higher avg mpg as I get a few more miles on it. The OnStar nav is great as I have no sense of direction. The seats are beautiful and comfortable and the trunk is roomy enough for a trip for 4 for a few days in N.O. The elec plug in the back is awesome. Everyday I find more to love about this car! I feel like a celebrity when I drive it because everybody stares at it

• 

  2006 Malibu Maxx - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Ed - October 31 - 3:46 pm

  This is a great car. I can find no fault with it. Great gas mileage for a large V6. Excellent cargo room with all seats down. Overall, cant be beat.

• 

  1 Cool little car - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By A. Hot rodder - October 30 - 6:30 pm

  We tried out the Rave 4 & the PT cruiser. All things considered the HHR has them both beat. Dont pay any attention to the "Pros" reviews, the HHR is not supposed to be a Porsche. Drive one, the thing feels super tight. I love the way the steering feels.

• 

  LOVALANCHE - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By al heil - October 30 - 10:00 am

  GREAT FULL SIZE UTILITY. BEST COMFORT AND UTILITY OF ANYTHING I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. A TRUE WINNER

• 

  The Ultimate Family Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By shieatt - October 30 - 10:00 am

  For a big family, this is the only vehicle that does it all well and looks good doing it. Unless you are willing to drive an Excursion, no other vehicle offers comfortable room for 6 people AND space for cargo. The new Toyota Sienna comes close, but not quite - and not half as good looking. Gas mileage of minivans is only marginally better than Suburban, which will average 18 MPG highway. Were impressed with the smooth ride, the handling and the ease of driving this big vehicle. And nothing offers the entertainment and communications options of Suburban - OnStar, XM Radio, DVD player, separate rear seat audio controls, in-dash 6 disc CD, etc.

• 

  Impala LS - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Johnny Angel - October 30 - 10:00 am

  I love it! Great American car.

• 

  Its The Best - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Love IT - October 30 - 10:00 am

  After test driving the Exterra, Aztec, Escape... I knew this was the one. I have the power and braking when needed. The ride is a dream. I wouldnt want to drive anything else on snow or ice.

• 

  Great gas mileage in town - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By GWD - October 29 - 8:40 am

  Very comfortable to drive, hugs the road on curves on dry and wet payevment. Quiet inside. Roomy for a small car. Decent acceleration. Passengers say it is very comfortable in the back seats. Excellent fuel economy 9.2 to 10.1 l/100k in city driving. Colour tone of paint is very good {silver with a hint of tan}

• 

  Great work truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dave B - October 28 - 7:56 pm

  My 4.3 came with an automatic, a 40/20/40 cloth seat and not a whole lot else, pretty stripped down model. I got a better deal on the Chevy then any comparable Dodge or Ford. Nothing came close. I am a big man, and the truck fits me fine, handles well and is relatively easy to manuever. I had a Dodge van. The 4.3 is a far superior motor to the Dodge V6. The seats fit so much more comfortably than the ones in my wifes Explorer. Even lacking the amenities, this is a worktruck that you wont mind driving.

• 

  Everything and More... - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By CB - October 28 - 8:06 am

  Had to wait awhile to receive, but well worth the wait. Overall a very good car with great gas mileage. The front cloth seat could be uncomfortable. Got the LT1- wish it would have fog lamps.