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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  Z71 Rules the Road - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By wildman12 - January 12 - 10:00 am

  I bought a 2004 Silverado 1500 Crew Z71 in August. About 900 miles now, so still relatively new. Rides very smooth for a truck, with firm control in curves and turns - no dipping. Truck handles bumps well - no high bouncing or side to side jerking. Acceleration is there when needed, as I drive lightly and very seldom exceed engine speeds over 2500rpm. Fuel mileage averages 18-20 on interstate and 14-16 around town. Options = heavy duty trailering package, power adjustable drivers seat, Chromed Stainless assist steprails. I hit the sale at the right time, as this truck was $10,000 below MSRP, plus I received the exact truck I wanted.

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  Love the car - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By PATTY - January 12 - 1:36 am

  I love the car. ItÂ’s fun to drive and itÂ’s a zippy little thing. It has a lot of get up and go. You can haul just about everything a truck can haul..

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  315000 all original miles!!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By matt - January 11 - 11:10 am

  I am rough on a vehicle but, I Change my oil and keep the engine in good order. Bought the car pretty cheaply with 70,000 miles on it. Later realized it had been in an accident. So aside from dealing with the problems that caused in the front end I was able to get it back right. Since then I have been hit 3 times. The car is a TANK. I was gonna be happy with 200,000 miles but she keeps going. I will get another one if my car ever decides its had enough.

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  Great Car - especially for the price - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By a matic - January 11 - 7:20 am

  It is larger than you first think. The engine is terrific. The size of the whole car is just right. Big enough to carry 4 people, small enough to be fuel efficient, and powerful enough to not require a V6. The stereo is a great design and a joy to work although a little more power would be nice. The paint job on my Cobalt is exceptional. I bought the paint protection. I think it is well worth the price for any car. Overall a great ride for not much money. I looked at Focus, but I think the Cobalt is a better car for less money.

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  To The Nay Sayers - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
  By Jeff - January 10 - 11:20 am

  Just purchased the new 09 Malibu Hybrid. So far I am impressed. Not seeing the huge fuel savings I had hoped for as of yet. However, coming from an Avalanche it is much better. I was originally concerned with the perform, however, it is adequate. Even though this is a "mild" hybrid, I still makes me feel good to know I am helping out. I would recommend this over any import car any day! Look out Accord and Camry - the Malibu is here!

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  Chevy did their homework - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Brian Krakovec - January 10 - 4:46 am

  Well designed. LT suspension is excellent. 17" tires give a solid feel. Engine extremely quiet.

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  Chevy Cobalt - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By chevygirl20 - January 9 - 2:53 am

  I love this car, I feel so safe driving it! It is so cute and it hardly sounds like the engine is on, it is so quiet!

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  I Love my 2003 Chevy Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jim Helms - January 9 - 2:00 am

  I 2003 Chevy Siverado ST extended cab with the 5300 Vortec engine. I have taken it on one road trip (1900 miles round trip) and drive it to and from work 5 days a week. My normal road vehicle is my 2001 Caddy Saville STS But I must admit, this 2003 truck is almost as comfortable and has allmost all of the same whistles and bells.

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  Chevrolet finally did it right - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Zack - January 8 - 4:40 pm

  I have always been a Chevy lover, but have recently owned a Ford. I research every big purchase to death. Once I sat in the car, I fell in love with it. This is coming from a guy used to driving pickups. It gets great feul milage and is very confortable for long trips. It is extremly quiet. I get comments all the time on it.

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  Fun Car & Great looking too! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Fun Ride - January 8 - 8:13 am

  I love this car. For those who are short (Im 5 1")I think it is great with the power seats. The smaller windows are great as well, the visor actually works for me in this car than any other car I have ever owned. Storage is wonderful, this is great to hide all those little things you would like to have in the car. The price is right for what you get.