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 2008 LTZ Malibu - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Cbrus - July 4 - 3:16 pm

  We purchased this car in late 2007 after considering the Altima and Camry for several months. We just fell in love with the styling of this car and value for the money. Once we test drove it there was no turning back. We have the V6 LTZ - which Id say is the only way to go with this car -- and so many features are standard. This car handles like a dream and we get so many compliments on the looks. In my town we are still part of the very few who have this car and it seems to turn heads wherever we go.

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  Its all relative - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By benalbright - July 3 - 10:43 pm

  This has been a great vehicle. Ive driven over 82,000 miles with no significant problems. Very dependable, powerful, and efficient. The swiss army knife of vehicles, it can do just about anything (except make tight turns). I plan to have this vehicle well past 200,000 miles. The only problems Ive had were abnormal front tire wear early on and a blown front speaker (warranty item). Starts up quickly, even in 0F weather. Im still on my original set of brakes, with plenty of material to go.

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  Fun To Drive - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By JOE - June 30 - 12:23 pm

  Still new but lots of fun to drive! Quiet interior sound.

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  Love My Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By joepilot - June 30 - 6:33 am

  It rides nice with a quiet ride. Replaced the EGR Valve and front struts under warranty. Im disappointed with dealership performance, but not with the vehicle. Lots of storage with rear seats folded down and forward. Same storage as a standard trunk with seats back. Lots of rear seat leg room. Good acceleration. Gets 19-22 mpg depending on how you drive it. Gets 24.5mpg on the highway, or if ridiculously babied. Traction control and anti-lock brakes work great in Michigan.

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  I Love My Chevy Truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By J&M - June 29 - 2:40 pm

  I love my Chevy truck. It is so comfortable for long trips & it gets fantastic gas mileage for a V8. It has lots of leg room & the seats are so plush & comfy. There is plenty of leg room in the back seat too. It is built very well. I have not had any problems with it at all. Good job GM.

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  Why buy anything else? - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By steve - June 29 - 11:36 am

  No reason to buy a Toyota with the Malibu here. We actually bought an LTZ with a 4 cyl. engine and the 6 speed transmission. This is a new feature for the Malibu. Now you have great looks with the LTZ and a great fuel economy. Plenty of power and acceleration with the 4. I have owned a Toyota Camry and this car has it beat handsdown. No wonder the Chevolet dealers cant keep them in stock!

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  My Trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By David Jackson - June 28 - 9:30 pm

  I have owned 9 Suburbans and still have a 2002 and decided to down size alittle to a Trailblazer. After test driving 3 different models we decided on a LT 4WD and we are very pleased with the performance. The turning radius and shorter wheel base is excellent for parking. The L6 engine has plenty of get up and go. The suspension has been improved and rides very smoothly for a short wheel base vehicle. The Sirius radio /Bose sound system and OnStar phone are 2 options I have never had in the past, but are great options that we are enjoying very much, and will continue to purchase after the initial free trial period expires.

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  Fun Driving the LTZ Silverado - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ron Jackson - June 26 - 10:00 pm

  Love driving this vehicle, just recently returned back from a road trip. From Virginia to Atlanta, GA. Loved every min of driving the Silverado. I let my Son drive for a while and I enjoyed the back seat. Nice and quiet. I went to sleep for about about 2 hours. Not only does it look good with its sleek styling, but it drives great. We have a JAGUAR and a Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Silverado is the Road Vehicle. I am a Chevy Man.

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  Oh my - Fantastic Car! - 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  By thmlnrg - June 26 - 6:44 am

  I purchased a Premiere Coupe with the manual transmission and have owned it now for 3 weeks. I took it easy (hard to do) for the first 200 miles – something that is in the manual. The drive train is smooth and of course the car is fast. I have been driving in Econ mode and still lots of power. Everyone reading a review knows the car handles well but what surprises me is the suspension is stiff for no body roll but at the same time the suspension is not stiff - absorbs road bumps very smoothly. It is like your mind says turn and the car just does it effortlessly.

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  2010 Equinox - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mkjpoll - June 24 - 1:30 pm

  I really like the vehicle. Very comfortable to drive. Lots of room for driver and passengers.