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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  3rd Consecutive Chevy Sedan - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By azsteve - July 1 - 10:50 am

  2LT V6, Black Granite Metallic. Traded 05 Impala for this car and owned a 2000 Malibu before that. Car is immensely more refined than either previous Chevy. My wife, long-time domestic car basher and Nissan owner, is impressed. New Malibu looks great in black with the 18" alloys. Interior is pleasantly refined at this price point. Front bucket seats are extremely comfortable - back seat, not so much. Most striking is the ultra quiet ride. Cabin is virtually silent at any speed. Suspension just right - hugs corners, yet very smooth. Powerful V6 - though gas pedal a bit touchy from dead stop. One complaint - "Premium" audio option a joke - $500 buys far better after market outfit.

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  Good Overall - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By ShafinKS - July 1 - 4:30 am

  Gas mileage great for its size. Road noise is terrible.

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  Power and style - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By TBLAZE06 - June 30 - 10:58 pm

  I looked at and shopped for several 7 passenger SUVs. I could not believe the power and the style the TrailBazer combined. I was truly surprised by the comfortable ride and the power of the 6 cyl engine.

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  Could be better - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By Bertha - June 30 - 6:47 pm

  Our 98 Astro seems to always need something fixed. Many of the up-keep has been expensive due to the area of parts on the van. At 115,000 miles, we were told its transmision is on its way out. Great. Would I buy this vehicle again? No way.

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  3500 DURAMAX DIESEL dually 4x4 - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By Nemecek - June 30 - 5:13 pm

  after having Dodge diesel for couple years, this new Chevy truck has huge power when used to tow boat or move building materials, but is very friendly inside with a lot of every day features to make anybody happy.

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  4X4 Blazer owners UNITE! - 1994 Chevrolet Blazer
  By bulabula - June 30 - 10:28 am

  Wow, simply an amazing truck. I have had mine for about a year now and its the best truck I have had yet. Although the 5.7 does use a bit too much gas, it still does great for what I need it to do. It has no problem pulling either. I haul 2000 square foot hardwood floors which are very heavy and it drives like theres nothing behind me. I also do some off roading with the addition of 285/75/R16 Goodyear tires it still gets the average to poor gas mileage but it does great off road or in the mud. All in all I would say this is by far the greatest truck I have owned. All it takes is care. Change the oil and check the engine regularly and this truck is good for 200,000 miles easy.

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  So far, so good. - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By John - June 30 - 6:43 am

  While many people compare this car to a PT cruiser, there is more cargo space, and more wow factor with this car. Also, the auxillary input jack for mp3 players makes makes this cars sound system state-of-the-art. Sometimes I sit in my car when I am at home because it is so enjoyable. I run all errands for my wife, just so I can drive my car.

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  Great vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Jim F. - June 29 - 9:18 pm

  This has been one of (if not THE) best vehicles I have ever owned. All controls and gauges are handy and accurate. The built-in tire inflater is wonderful. Acceleration is good and mileage is as good as can be expected for a vehicle this size. The rear compartment is very roomy with the seats folded up.

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  No Complaints - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By bradley2 - June 29 - 4:56 pm

  Wife and I like it a lot. Nice styling, ride, handling, features, value. No beefs about the gas mileage.

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  Just Drive It - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By IMAKID - June 29 - 11:53 am

  Fix the shifter, more comfort, nicer interior? Are you kidding? Fill it up, strap in, and smoke em! This is not a luxury touring car. Its a high speed, awesome sports machine. Serious speed and fun. There is no other car that delivers this kind of fun & performance for the money. If you want more junk to play with, go buy a Mercedes.