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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  maximum contentment - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By webber1 - October 11 - 3:00 am

  Have had many cars and makes over the years. The Malibu Maxx is one of the best Ive owned (into my sixth year with 80K). Normal maintenace only, couple of wheel bearings, tie rod, ball joints, new steering rack and tail light assembly. Car is into its ninth year and still drives and looks great. (I have treated it with rust proofing every other year) Would consider moving up except there is nothing out there to replace it, so I keep driving this one of a kind car and loving it still.

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  no title - 2001 Chevrolet Metro
  By alan smirnofski - October 11 - 2:00 am

  great car, very reliable, and it came with a great affordable price. Im nothing but happy with my Metro. Thank You Chevy!

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  Blazer review - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Paul Wright - October 11 - 2:00 am

  I have had no problems with this vehicle. It has run great and is very comfortable for an SUV.

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  Saw it. Drove it. Bought it. - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By St. Patrick - October 11 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Got premium sound, 16inch alloys, spoiler, sunroof, sport suspen, cruise, AC, chrome exhaust tip, MP3/CD player for base $16,000. "Pro" reviewers shred the Cavalier while at the same time say the Civic is the greatest car since the wheel was invented (BTW I grew up with Hondas). Flat rediculous at best. These reviews of the Cavalier are nonsense. There is no way the Civic will beat this car for the money, or period for that matter. This is a great car. The professional reviewers also complain that the interior has cheap plastic. Why is it that plastic is just fine on the inside of Japanese car or a MINI but is "cheap" in an Amer car?

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  Very Sastified - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By jschmuke - October 11 - 2:00 am

  I work at the dealership from which car was purchased. I sell Caddy, Buick, Chevy, Pontiac and GMC. The overall value of the Impala just cant be beat in the large car segment. Fuel economy, roominess, reliability, comfort and a five star front crash rating all, by todays standards, at a very reasonable cost. Suggestion: Do upgrade to power seat. The Impala is the car I bought.

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  Finally pulled the trigger! - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By bbudman - October 10 - 8:03 pm

  I just purchased my 2009 LTZ 4x4 Crew Cab with the Duramax diesel engine and this thing is great. I love everything about this truck except: As others have said it needs bigger wheels. Fuel mileage not as good as the older Duramax, thanks to Uncle Sam! Nerf Bars should come standard on a $55k vehicle and not an option. Other than that, no complaints. My primary reason for owning it is to pull my 8k lb boat which it should have no problem. The styling inside and out is fantastic. The Bluetooth for my phone, excellent! The audio system sounds great. The seating is comfortable. Finally, I love the remote start on cold mornings! Thanks Chevrolet for building a great truck.

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  Most Bang for the Buck!!! - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By mtviperdriver - October 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car after owning both a Mitsubishi 3000GT and a Nissan 300ZX, and needless to say I have never looked back. Not only is it more powerful than both the Nissan and Mitsubishi, but it also averages 30 mpg (which in this day and age is a must) on the highway and is more comfortable to drive, too. Excellent purchase and would recommend to anyone.

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  Reliable large capacity minivan - 1994 Chevrolet Astro
  By Markk - October 10 - 2:00 am

  AWD extended minivan which has served well hauling kids and dogs on short and long trips and moving furniture in all types of weather. Well powered, Construction is solid. Good sound system and interior quality. No mechanical problems at all in 130,000 miles.

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  The Tracker - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Cotton - October 9 - 2:00 am

  To Small cargo area, rear seats do not fold down all the way feels cramoed in front seats, not really made for tall persons.

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  venture - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By snzmomy - October 9 - 2:00 am

  great if you have 3 small children