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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  2003 Monte carlo ss - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By coonhound01 - April 22 - 10:01 pm

  I bought my SS with 83,000. It has been a very reliable car. I now have 176,000 on my car. It still runs and rides smooth. Ive replaced the thermostat, a/c condenser and resonator during that time. The condenser was the result of a stone or debri, which I was told was typical. I like the car, the interior has held up well, and the exterior is even better considering the miles. I average 23-24 mpg combined, 27 mpg on a trip.

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  Love my Chevy!!!!!! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By big daddy - April 22 - 10:00 am

  Its everything I ever wanted in an SUV. I love this truck more than I love my wife!

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  Cute Sporty Car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By VJF - April 21 - 11:13 am

  Bought used with 30,600 miles. Have had the car since 12/13/05. Drove in rain/snow/ice mix first day. Handled well, felt secure with traction control. Like the look and handling of the Maxx. Drove over 400 miles during the holidays with cruise at 70 and got 32.5 mpg. Have difficulty getting comfortable in the rock hard seat. Have only two electric adjustments. But the pedals and steering adjustments do help. Three adults in the back seat amazed at leg room even tho a little tight on seating and were impressed with sunroof and spacious interior.

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  I love this car! - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By D. Hintze - April 21 - 1:16 am

  This car has been my dream car for the last 3 yrs. I have been so happy with it. It handles like a dream, and is very easy to drive. I drove a Chevy S10 Blazer for 8 yrs. Gets great gas mileage. It is just a wonderful car. Now my husband is wondering how he is going to get me sleeping in the house again!

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  TrueTruck Guy - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Truck Guy - April 20 - 8:26 am

  I use this truck as a sales vehicle. It is driven over 40,000 miles per year. I have only had it since October 2009 and it has been great! Very comfortable on the road. 22-23 mpg hwy. Ride and handling is great for a truck. NO other truck gets this good MPG HWY. 5.3 V8 unloads on HWY seems to help MPG. Added dual exhaust.

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  Awesome car--looks and performance wise! - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By blmackin - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I absolutly love my car. Its sporty looking and even though it is 8 years old, it still turns heads and people compliment me on it almost weekly. Its comfortable to drive and has all the features you could want. I put alot of miles on this vehicle and have had minimal problems. The only drawback to this vehicle is that if you have a problem with it..its expensive to fix.

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  How to fix headrest - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By hugeholstein - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Just wanted to let people know that I was not going to purchase this car because of the front headrest being so far forward until I realized that the back headrests dont reach as far forward. I just switched the front and the rear headrests and the problem was solved. Hope this idea helps others out. Too few miles to review the rest of the car.

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  Family Car?? - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By funlut - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I was so excited to get rid of my Trailblazer and go back to a Malibu. I had a 98 and loved it. I was even more excited to have a sunroof and remote starter. It drives great and it comfortable and quiet. The only thing that is stumping me is child safety locks arent standard or available to be installed. My last three Chevy vehicles had it but now that I need it I dont have it. Figures! I didnt even think about it until the day my two year old opened the door on me after putting it in park to grap the mail.

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  I LOVE MY TRUCK! - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By BIRDBRAIN - April 19 - 10:00 am

  BY FAR THE BEST AND MOST FUN VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. I WOULD NOT GIVE IT UP FOR ANYTHING.

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  REVIEW OF 2004 CHEVY IMPALA SS - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By J NEFF - April 19 - 10:00 am

  This is the first new car that my wife and I have purchased in 17 years. Our last car was a 1987 Mercury Cougar. We enjoyed that vehicle very much also. I like the ride of the Impala, the seating is comfortable and the view of the dash instruments is good. The car seems to have sufficent power, althought we have not had it in the mountains yet. This is the first GM product that I have owned in many year so time will tell on my continued like or dislike. Currently I am happy with it.