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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  Almost a lemon - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jurate - April 21 - 4:09 pm

  From the first month of ownership, the car had various troubles. Visor fell off, CD changer did not function, keyless remote needed to be replaced, steering malfunctioned, tire blew at high speed on interstate, and finally a MAF sensor went out. I had decided to trade it after making my 16th car payment, but the decision was made for me when a driver rear-ended me and totalled the car. The Malibu, on its Saab chassis, protected us very well in a pretty high speed collision. I was stopped and the other driver ran into me at 35 miles an hour, knocking me across the intersection with 3 distinct hits. I am now shopping for an import.

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  Oh, Geezzzz - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Suzcrew - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Oh, geezz...this car was a dream when I bought it new! It is fast and furious. When a 4 year old stops you at a gas station and tells you your car is cool and you arent driving a fire truck...you know you are sporting a good looking ride. Since the warranty ran out I have had a few problems. Signal lights work when they want to. Which is very dangerous! Steering wheel controls dont work sometimes, transmission is slipping and a seal leaking. Very costly repairs at 40,000 miles!! Was hoping to get more out of this good looking car.

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  I have owned 21 Vettes in my life... - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By VetteExpert - April 21 - 2:00 am

  You could say I am an more familiar with vettes than any dealer and now everything from A to Z. My new C6 is a power monster & after break-in just literally ate up my friends 04 Z06 in a 0-100 & 0-60 time trial. I cant wait to see what the C6 - Z06 version will do. If you owm a C5 pawn it or trade it in before it goes down in value, this is the one you want.

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  love my SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By busylizzy - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Im a mother of 2 and my kids and diaper bag ,car seat toys and groceries all fit well.

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  great - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By pedro_89 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  very happy with purchase.

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  great and fun to druve! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By TParker - April 21 - 2:00 am

  this car is a mini suv, but thinks its big... the styling is different and more sporty than most mini suvs. i love driving it!

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  My first pickup - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Saundra - April 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my first pickup and I am totally suprised. And pleasantly so. As a woman, I dont have to jump up to get into the truck or slide down to touch the ground. There are plenty of features that I almost forget I am in a pickup truck

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  My little Prizm - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Mr500CM - April 20 - 6:31 pm

  Not a bad car for the price... its zippy, handles well and its good on gas. In over a year, no real problems, the biggest one was that I needed to replace two bulbs. It runs and handles well all year long.

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  OK replacement for Accord - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By wildbill - April 20 - 5:27 pm

  I replaced my beloved 91 Honda Accord EX with the Malibu LS, with fear and trepidation. So far so good! Got a killer deal, too. Handles great, comfortable, and gas mileage of 26/32 like my Accord, after 25K miles. No service needed other than routine. It aint a Honda, but itll do for commuting in safety and comfort.

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  Still Love our 02 Impala - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By mesaba - April 20 - 3:16 pm

  Still a wonderful family vehicle after three years. No problems whatsoever, lots of room for two adults, a toddler and an infant. Trunk is massive and holds stroller and luggage for a weekend trip to the cabin. We broke it in well and regularly see 32 mpg on the highway using our own calculations (not the computer which shows 34 mpg). For the price it cant be beat. The engine and handling is more than sporty enough for a mid 30s family of four. No BMW but still very nice.