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:

• 

  Solid Car - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By James - May 20 - 8:50 pm

  The fully-loaded LTZ is a beautiful automobile. The ride is smooth and very quiet. This was high on my list of requirements and the car came through. The sound system is very good and the seats are comfortable. The computer in this car manages just about everything imaginable. (Even the starter. I used the remote start and turned the key too far when I got in. However the computer stopped the starter from kicking in. Good forward thinking, Chevy.)

• 

  Great Car For All Ages - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Keith - May 20 - 6:46 pm

  I cant believe how smooth a ride this vehicle has. With the folding seats and compartments, it is a very versatile car. Great value for the money, which isnt much. Im using this as a work truck. My whole family loves it, even the teenagers!

• 

  Really nice car! - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dave NJ - May 20 - 3:43 pm

  We traded in our 03 Malibu LS with 104,000 miles on it. No problems with the car, just miles. Our 09 Malibu 2LT is really nice. I cant get over how much better it handles and how quiet it is. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a well built fun to drive car. Chevy has really put together a nice vehicle!

• 

  Ive never had better - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By BKostura - May 20 - 1:00 pm

  I love this truck. I have never had a problem with a Chevy truck. I use mine as a truck it tows and hauls practically every day. I like my truck because I drove it home and it has not had any problems whatsoever.

• 

  great buy - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By jughead - May 20 - 10:00 am

  wife and kids love it,great ride.

• 

  outstanding auto vs cost - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By r. fields - May 20 - 10:00 am

  I compare this auto to my 55 chev 2dr ht in size,performance,appearance both interior and exterior. could not be more pleased. ideal car for the wife also.

• 

  awsome new vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By furray murray - May 20 - 10:00 am

  the car rides very smoothly and handles well. it is easy to drive and park for an suv.

• 

  Feels Great So Far - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Angel - May 18 - 10:26 am

  I just bought this car recently and I must say that so far this feels like the best investment I have ever made, overall the car looks decent, great acceleration, very smooth ride, I cant complain

• 

  Awesome Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By C - May 17 - 11:43 am

  This is my first truck and it is great. I was pleasantly surprised that I did not lose any fuel economy when I moved into this truck from a mid size SUV. Chevy truly has made a great truck. I have had the truck going on ten months. It handles wonderfully both on and off road through out various speeds. I wish would have purchased one of these sooner.

• 

  I love my HHR! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Maxs Mom - May 17 - 5:50 am

  This car is a blast! I downsized from an Envoy. I have had it less than a month and love the 26mpg versus 17mpg! Gas mileage will get better as we have it longer. Lots of room in the backseat. I like the height adjustments on the drivers seat. I am short and I feel taller than I would in a regular car. I get so many compliments wherever we go in it. I have a baby and can get him in and out of the vehicle easily. You have to drive one to really like it. The steering is great. I had first liked it because of the look and then drove it and thats all it took to buy! My husband is a "truck" person and he loves the HHR. We fight to drive it! Thank you, Chevrolet!