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:

• 

  Grood Decision - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Randy - August 25 - 11:40 am

  I liked the malibu when it first came out but had to wait for my lease to end. Wanted a sedan and really like GM design Came down to saturn aura, pontiac g6 and malibu, I never owned a chevy but when i drove one i was hooked.The price i got it for was great I have owned maybe 20 new cars but for some reason this one really excites me!! I examined this car inside and out over and under and could find no flaws Color me satisfied

• 

  99 MALIBU - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By DP - August 25 - 10:26 am

  Overall a very enjoyable ride and fun to drive. Comfortable for long trips. Have needed major engine work due to head gasket failure @ 105,000 miles along with other repairs. CD player has broken twice without extensive use. Passing it along to my child for use at college, so it will stay in the family a bit longer, and replacing it with a new Malibu

• 

  Not sure if it will last! - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By 1choice - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Bought mine as a GM certified used vehicle with 34400 on it. And like many others in the reviews, mine has been in the shop alot and I do take care of mine with routine maintenance! Shocks had to be replaced at 35000K, & seals at 36000K, pinion bearing, steering column problems, wheel bearing, rattles at the door trims, etc. The whole vehicle shudders at 60 - 65 MPH, and forget driving really fast like 75-80 MPH, it really shakes then! I bought this vehicle with the intent of keeping it for a long time, however, even with proper maintenance, I find myself wondering if it will last past 60000K!

• 

  The ultimate in convenience! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Robsis - August 25 - 10:00 am

  My wife wanted a four door, I wanted a truck. We went looking for club-cab pickups and she fell in love with the new Avalance without body hardware. The cladding was hard for her to take; however, once she saw the new model without it, she fell in love. What a great vehicle. Rides like a Tahoe, carries 5 comfortably; and, I can go the the home improvement store and take home anything. We also plan on getting the optional tent and using it for camping.

• 

  Alicias Impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Graydon - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Just bought this car this week and it is absolutely beautiful.

• 

  Quietest Truck Around - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Allie - August 25 - 10:00 am

  First I must say if you are looking for a quiet truck, this is it. I have bought five brand new trucks and this is by far the most refined.

• 

  I RECOMMEND BUYING A TOYOTA - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By DENNIS 75 - August 25 - 10:00 am

  All was well with the truck except for the windows, the driver seat,the speakers,the console,andpaint peeling off the ashtray. I didnt have any other problems with it until I decided to do the smart care engine and transmission flush. Since then the truck leaks engine and transmission oil at about a quart a day...,DONT GET IT...,I AM STILL HAVING TO BRING MY TRUCK BACK TO TRY TO GET IT RESOLVED...,ITS BEEN VERY FUSTRATING AND TIME CONSUMING...,THIS IS DEFINITELY THE LAST TIME I BUY AMERICAN THANKS TO THE RUDENESS AND POOR ATTITUDE OF TWO DEALER-SHIPS AND THEIR POOR RELATION ETHICS

• 

  The Best Car I Ever Owned - 1994 Chevrolet Caprice
  By starbreeze74 - August 24 - 7:43 pm

  I bought my Caprice a year ago and it was the best purchase I have made. With over 260,000 miles it still runs just as smooth and great as the day it was put on the lot in 1994.

• 

  My Cav - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By wpb - August 24 - 5:53 pm

  Love the pep and handling. Only problem is the slave cylinder for the clutch went out. WhenI took it to Chevrolet for repair, I had to wait a day because they were waiting on parts for another 2004 with the same problem.

• 

  1998 4wd Blazer - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Conrad - August 23 - 11:37 pm

  I keep thinking just one more repair and it will last me awhile. Door hinges replaced, oil lines replaced, intake manifold gaskets replaced , cat replaced, air cond replaced, blinker switch replaced, O2 sensor bad now the air conditioner is acting up again. Besides that, a decent auto, ha ha, Thinking of getting a full size. Gas mileage for the Blazer is the same as a full size truck these days. The newer 5.3 v-8s are getting close to 19 mpg on the highway, my Blazer is only 18 at best. I might as well have the room and power if the gas mileage is going to stink.