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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  Love my Malibu! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By KayW - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Malibu for a full month now and am loving every second of it. I have never owned a Chevy prior to this purchase and am really glad I bought this one. What a beauty of a car, inside and out. Ive received many compliments about the looks of it and I feel very safe driving it too.

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  Chevvy hits the Bullseye - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jack w - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I cannot find fault with this vehicle,it exceeds any car I previously owned in all respects. It is great in build quality,comfort,performance,economy and value for money.No previous Chevrolet has approached its quality. I heartily recommend it and best of all it is American!

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  US Altima - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Depew - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Had the dealer prep me a new Impala LS and saw this car in the showroom, drove it and fell in love...same power lotzzza features all standard on the LT. Just love this car.

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  SS MONTE CARLO - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By REGRAHC - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Had it since July...Not 1 problem

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  What else offers you factory XM radio? - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By missnothingcarcritic - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I looked at the Honda TL for 2004 ....nice car alright but forget sticker prices and far away dealers and questions of service departments....I got a 2004 SS loaded with every option from heated seats to factory XM, CD, bilateral power seats, sun roof, supercharged motor rated one of the ten best motors ever built all for $25,+++ with the incentives...for this price I even like black which I was not looking for in the beginning.

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  gotta have a Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ravenjr3 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is absolutely awesome the comfort and and ease it handles with are great. the only bad thing is the gas mileage is bad but i will never buy another make again except the Z71 Tahoe, but i also wish you did not have to pay for the Onstar and XM radio

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  Great Car! - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Chris - June 8 - 8:53 pm

  This car is great. Just need to know how to take car of a car. Its like any other car. If you do the required maintenence it will last a long time. I have 165,000 miles on it and it is still running great. Only minor repairs along the way (as can be expected). Engine runs perfect. Dont need to buy a Toyota/Honda to have a car last a long time. Just keep up with the little things and this car will last you a long time as well. Only 35,000 more miles to hit 200,000. Cant ask for more than that in a car. It has done its job and paid itself off by far.

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  Eh... - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By princessbanana - June 8 - 4:50 pm

  This car was just ok. Purchased at 63,000 miles. Heater and air conditioner went out within first year of owning it. Tires went bald fast, needed to fill with oil every two weeks after it hit 70,000 miles. No "get up and go". Forget about good gas mileage. Needed new transmission as soon as I hit 101,000. Automatic windows work only when they want to. Back window motor went out. I put almost half as much in to this car as I paid for it. Dont count on this car lasting over 100,000 miles. Save your money. Buy a Honda or a Toyota.

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  1 year old - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By jerry - June 8 - 4:22 pm

  Best riding SUV we tested- solid feel and handling - avg 17mpg Just took a road trip and got 21mpg on hwy. Tows heavy trailer with 2 yards of dirt with no strain. So far no mechanical issues.

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  Comfort To Drive - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By robert watson - June 8 - 2:12 pm

  As an owner of this vehicle I have recommended it to several friends. I even went as far as to buy my wife one with the OnStar package. When you travel as much as I do you want reliability and comfort with no hassles and the Chevy TrailBlazer gives you just that. Best car I have ever owned