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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  For the price, at least you get size - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By SccaBrian - December 26 - 12:10 pm

  Ok, the numbers may look a bit harsh, but has anyone considered an alternative? Theres the Ford Fusion and the Hyundai Sonata. This car is not a bad one, but for the 17,000 dollar price tag, there are many better options out there. The ride quality on the Malibu is great, but the suspension is so soft that the car wobbles in the wind and on the highway. The 4cyl engine is very loud, which can make you think youre going fast, until you check the speedometer that is. Within 6k miles, the dome light stopped working (the switch went bad) and the drivers side sun visor fell off. This is a car best left for hardcore Chevy enthusiasts. Unless you can find one at a huge discount, dont even bother

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  duramax/allison the best - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By dan morgan - December 26 - 10:00 am

  This truck is the best ride and economy ive ever experienced. Getting another one!

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  Tahoe 4x4 - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By S Rollandi - December 26 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has been a great one. We have had no problems and its much more exciting to drive than our old mini- van. It holds the same amount of people but looks so much nicer.It makes you feel not so bad hauling the kids around in a nice safe vehicle.

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  Roomy for the kids... - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By PAT - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Took the grand kids to the east coast 3600 miles round trip. 22 miles to a gal. Roomy even for the 5 year old not to get fussy. Love the bench seat in the back. Great on the get up and go. The horse power is good for a 4.8 vortec. Oh yeah the price was right too. Color Arrival Blue sure is pretty. Overall good for the money.....

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  2017 LTZ Silverado Cheap Leather - 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Josh - December 26 - 4:34 am

  Owned my 2017 Silverado for just over 4 months with only 12,000 miles and started noticing accelerated wear on the leather seats. The dealer said I should drive with my shirt untucked so my belt and pants dont rub on the leather........ talked to Chevrolet customer care and they blew me off and said they wouldnt warranty the leather. They suggested I put a seat cover on the seats to protect them. Talk about a disappointment. The interior quality of the leather is very poor and the customer service from Chevrolet was the worst Ive had to deal with. I will not be buying another Chevy. Ive been brand loyal for over 20 years......and this is how they repay loyalty.

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  Perfect for me - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By eck125 - December 26 - 1:43 am

  I wanted to add my 2 cents and give love to my 93 Cavalier that I am trading in within the next week. I have had this car since 1997 and have drive it from Iowa to St. Louis<400 miles> over 50 times! and only once did I have problems with itKept the lights on while eatingI must say this car has been nothing but perfect for me.This car is good for those who accidently forget to change the oil every 3K. I have driven this car to the point of me thinking how many miles can I put on this beauty. I would be keeping it but with a baby in my life I need something a little more NEWER!

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  Almost the perfect truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mobey - December 25 - 10:47 am

  I bought my truck with 6 miles on the odometer in March 2004. It was recalled for the instrument panel. Very good experience there. While it was under warrenty, I had it in for new Cats and O2 sensors, three times, but never again since. The last warrenty items I had replaced were the comfort control switches. I now have 190,000 miles on the truck and, get this....Im replacing the brake pads for the first time, and the rotors have very little wear. This is by far the best vehicle Ive ever owned.

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  Victory Red LTZ in Alaska - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By AK Victory Red LTZ - December 25 - 9:43 am

  LTZ with the 6.0L Vortec and 8 box. Great engine; plenty of power. Sounds awesome. I am averaging 15 MPG in mixed driving (mostly highway) 6 speed automatic makes driving and towing easy. capacious cargo box. Very comfortable and plush interior. High quality materials instead of the hard plastics used in previous models. Were it up to her, my wife would be driving it instead of me.

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  Does Not Get Any Better - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Mark W - December 25 - 8:32 am

  Simply wonderful car...Power to spare,handles like no other, The Z51 handling package makes every trip like the final lap at the Indy 500..Do not chnage a thing. The overall look of car just WOWS ya !

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  A Cadillac ride with a Chevy price ! - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By snm - December 25 - 4:37 am

  We have owned this vehicle since new ( my wifes car). It has been an in town vehicle primarily until recently, but it has always had a great comfortable, quiet and dependable ride since new. The 3.5L V6 engine is very quiet, smooth, powerful, will run on ethanol fuel if desired, and features like the dual zone climate control help the car feel like a luxury vehicle . The only part we replaced since new was the battery ( also had rear wheel alignment and tire replacement due to warranty / GM factory issue). It has the "Premium LT Package" which provides 6 way power driver and front passenger leather bucket seats and the rest of the chrome and stainless steel floor shift and dash appearance package. From day one we have enjoyed each mile of driving this vehicle. I know the new ones are the "next generation" of technology and appearance packages, and have very good professional and customer ratings, but we are still very happy with this vehicle. This generation of the Impala still is great for dependable "best buy" used car purchase.