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:

• 

  2500HD LT 4WD Crew LB 6.0L - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Todd - February 14 - 5:23 pm

  Great truck with reasonable fuel economy given the size and extensive capabilities. Large 4-wheel disc brakes operate smoothly. Average of 13MPG in mixed driving. Able to handle off-road and deep snow with ease (after upgrading tires to 265/75-16 BFG All-Terrain T/A KOs), and still cruise on the Interstate smoothly and quietly. Crew cab great for getting small children in and out of carseats, and rear vents are a nice addition, as well as the heated/power leather front seats. The 6.0 V-8 is smooth and powerful. Fold down rear seats are a nice addition for interior hauling space. The slight styling differences of the HD nicely set it apart from its light duty counterparts. Great Truck!

• 

  2006 Malibu LTZ - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ktm0126 - February 14 - 3:00 pm

  Completely surprised and pleased with the performance of the 2006 LTZ. Features for the price is outstanding compared to vehicles in its class. Interior has a well defined classy look with the leather, contrary to other reviews. Handles well, with some power from the V6, and so far the gas mileage has been good.

• 

  Love it - 2004 Chevrolet Express
  By Martin Griggs - February 14 - 9:52 am

  I have had this van for about 18 months and Ive been very happy with it. We have had less problems with it, than the 2 Honda vans we have owned. I have taken it on many long trips and it is not only comfortable, but it gets between 17-19 mpg on the highway. Being a car guy I have never been a fan of GM products, but after talking to my trustworthy mechanic he recommended it - he was right.

• 

  Love This Car - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Chris - February 14 - 5:53 am

  I was worried that my Chevy Impala would not compare well with Toyotas, Hondas, Dodges, and VWs that I have owned, but I was pleasantly surprised. Quality, economy, ride, reliability are all outstanding. I think American cars, at least for the ease of servicing and the relative price, are commonly underrated. The Impala compares very favorably with the Honda Accord and even with the Dodge 300, both of which I have either owned or driven. Quiet, responsive, respectable (my 19 yr old college student daughter says it is "swank"): it is the perfect car for my 54 yr-old tastes.

• 

  A few Problems - 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By AngryBrian - February 14 - 4:53 am

  Runs good and always starts on cold days, constantly has electrical problems. A great car to start out with, relatively hardy car. Had a power window motor go up in smoke (no damage). I would recommend looking over the wiring before buying. Other than that a great car with everything a student would need to get around.

• 

  My Dream Truck! - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By Fred Austin - February 14 - 3:23 am

  I own a 05 Chevy SSR and its been just perfect. I live in Salt Lake City and some members of my family are English teachers in the Mexican city of Guadalajara and I decided to visit them last September in that city. So me and one of my daughters went down there in the SSR. It behaved just excellent, as I expected, even though gas mileage was the worst part (what can I expect from a sports truck) of the trip, everything else was awesome. The truck handles very well on the Mexican roads and curves, it does everything well and also you can have some heads turning to see the truck passing by. Ive had such a beautiful experience. I’m in love with my SSR!

• 

  Not bad - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jim - February 13 - 6:16 pm

  So far so good. Its my 3rd Vette and by far the best. The interior could use some upgrades in the trim areas , maybe some wood grain around the radio. It does get 28 mpg at 70 mph, city is a little less then expected but the same as my other Vettes mid 14 to 15. not bad for 400 horses.

• 

  Been good to me - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By morey000 - February 13 - 1:37 am

  After 6 years and 60K miles it has been a terrific vehicle. Reliability has been near perfect. Mileage has been 18 city and 20 hwy- not bad. The creature comforts and interior features in my LT are terrific, and with an after market set of tires it takes me where I need to go off road. Its been cost effective, functional and comfortable. Im ready to buy a new SUV... as soon as I find one I like better.

• 

  Not Bad For an American - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By supersteff - February 13 - 12:48 am

  Purchased this car used with about 172K, and the cars been a good experience after 206K. Great engine, provides lots of power, but could be better on acceleration(because of weight). Great on snow and ice, and very reliable for a north-american car. This cars never had any major problems, except the brakes and stereo. Exterior and Interior quality could be a bit better too. Interior plastic is flimsy and moves around very easily, while some of the trim on the exterior pulls off quite easily. All in all, not a bad truck for the every day driver who has to overcome some bad weather during the winter.

• 

  My 06 Malibu SS - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ladydecuir - February 12 - 10:23 pm

  Wonderfully exciting car to drive. Small gas tank, but good mileage. Excellent mileage on the highway. A real fun and sexy car driving experience!