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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  My truck - 1994 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Zach Spowart - October 23 - 10:10 pm

  I love this truck. 135,000 with no problems ever. just change the oil every 3,000 miles and have always enjoyed it

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  Colorado - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Bob - October 23 - 9:28 pm

  Its been a fun vehicle with lots of utility for a value priced truck. Great gas mileage. Highway up to 30 mpg.

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  Deceptively Good - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By auroura - October 23 - 5:18 pm

  When I first looked at the Malibu it seemed that it was a great deal for a fairly reliable car. Unfortuneatly, I didnt research it very well ahead of time. Since purchasing the car I have had 2 MAJOR problems. I have had the fuel manifold leak engine fluid into my oilpan and was unable to get the problem diagnosed properly until I suggested that the problem might be the manifold, and I have a big electrical problem where my turn signal somehow got crossed with my CD player and brake electronics. It was very strange because when I would put on my brakes, my turn signal would start up, or if it was already on, would skip of few blinks. Overall, be careful and make sure you get a warranty.

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  A decent family / touring car - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Metalgod27 - October 23 - 3:36 pm

  Overall its a good car. Handles fairly well for the size & lack of sport suspension. Nice dash layout, good factory stereo (I have the 200W cd player, an upgrade). Complaints: engine could use more power, the seats could be more comfortable, and the leather is not soft at all - it feels more like vinyl than leather. Road noise is a little high, and the auto-on headlights cycle on and off at annoying times. Otherwise, a pretty solid car for a family or a 30- or 40- something guy who likes a roomy ride. I wouldnt have it without the sport appearance package though. Too bad there wasnt a real SS in 2003. I like the new Impala.

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  This is an amazing family car. - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Susan - October 23 - 2:51 pm

  This is an amazing family car. I can fit three pairs of skiis, a snowboard, boots, and luggage in the trunk and five people in the car and the drive is still good, still powerful. This car has great acceleration and agility without excessive lean, on the road in the summer and winter. I am the only one who can get up my steep hill in the winter with my Impala without slipping and sliding.

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  Finally a change - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By kcidmil - October 23 - 2:34 pm

  While the truck does get decent mileage, it fails in comparison to my former 02 Frontier 2wd. This is mostly due to the larger tires installed on vehicle. I can say I do have fun though driving the truck despite the even lowering gas needle. And the exterior design is one that makes people turn to look again. And after seeing many different truck from Chevy over the years, Im glad to see a interior dash change. It was sad to see a brand new 1500 have the same dash as the company truck built back in 96. The power band seems lacking at the low end. Though I feel this is due to the larger tires. The truck is perfect for my daily driving back and forth to work. Overall I am happy with it.

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  What an awesome machine - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By sfcc - October 23 - 2:05 pm

  Your writers are correct!! The C6 ranks right up there with some of the finest sports cars made. I have driven 2500 miles. It has been 2500 miles of quiet,tight,comfort and responsive miles I have ever driven. Its fun to drive,great to look at and 17 miles to a gallon in stop and go traffic isnt bad either. Other drivers give this car alot of respect in traffic by making room for me. Forget the power roof for $2,000.00, manual is just as quick.

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  Teach S10 - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Patsy Sylvester - October 23 - 1:05 pm

  I love my truck! It has been dependable as well as reliable! It is everything I need for my long drive to work, as well as hauling grain for my horses. The 4 door S10 is very handy for all my teaching supplies as well as my grandkids on the weekend.

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  Chevy Junk - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By dale3568 - October 23 - 5:40 am

  I bought this car on July 3rd 06 and it has been in the shop most of the time since. It is the sorriest made car I have ever had. The first day I had it the door lock broke and the temp gauge went crazy. I have had the seat worked on several times. I will never buy another American made car they are junk.

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  Loving Life After Divorce - 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rusty - October 23 - 4:57 am

  Bought my first Vette at 25 yrs old for 22K. Loving the car in every sense. The seat of the pants feel is amazing and other the a few mechanical problems she is alot fun to cruise in. Headlight gear bad at 42K, Turn signal bulb bad 3 times in 20K, coolant overflow tank replaced at 46K, Oil pressure sensor replaced at 43K, belt tensioner at 58K and battery at 55K. I push this car like a sports car should be pushed and at 65K I can still muster up a 13.4 @104mph at the track. Only mods are a catback exhaust and Blackwing Intake. GM keep up the good work and I cannot wait to see what the 2006 Z06 can put down for a 1/4 mile time!!!