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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  Dans review - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By dtichy - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car with the V6. Performance is great in city and highway driving and it uses regular gas. Comfort is more than adequate for a car in this price range.Gas mileage is around 26 mpg.For 200 HP that is great. Ive had one proble - with the steering column. It was replaced without question. I wish that I had added a few more options. I would buy another.

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  Gm has the worst service department - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By DonH - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I brought the truck new and have put 20,000 miles on it. My onstar stop working, windsheild wipers wont shut off at times, airbag service light comes at times and the front end seems loose when curving right or going over bumps. Also, Ive been told the all gm vortec engines have piston slap and gm refuses to fix it. Ive been to the dealer 3 times and they cant seem to fix the problems. The dealer service department is the worst, no loaner car or ride to work, I get my truck back and it has grease and pen marks on my leather seats, it takes on average 4hrs to change the oil and worst of all the service tech told me dont worry about minor problems.

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  Out of nowhere... - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By CB - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Had a Mazda 6 and was looking for a larger safer car for our 1 year old. The plan was to look at the usual suspects RAV4, CRV, Forrester, Escape, Santa Fe. Then I stumbled on some information about the new Equinox (did not know there was an old one) on Edmunds and started to look for any info I could find. I didnt know it but I was already sold. We never looked at the other cars. The LS has great options, but I felt the LT1 upholstery made a significant change in appearance. The exterior has the attitude that I missed since selling my Grand Prix GTP. The Mazda was reliable and nice, but didnt have that American feel that I missed. Need "LTZ" trim for Fog lights!? Empty fog cover = lame

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  Marvelous Malibu - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ross Jensen - September 18 - 6:26 am

  I test drove a 2005 Malibu LS on a whim because I didnt like the back end of the Impala (Those plain circles!). I ended up getting in the car and compared it to any good quality export. The salesman gave me the keys and we took it for a test drive. I was so impressed, I had to drag my wife in a few days later. She never liked American cars, especially Chevys. Despite her resentment, once she got in the Malibu, she loved it, too. We drove around for ten minutes and that was all it took. Chevy really did a great job n the Malibu! Weve had it for four months now and we love it!

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  Superb - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By Rolling*Thunder - September 18 - 2:00 am

  The finest car I have ever owned... or driven... or ridden in. USA badge, a V-8 (Corvette) Engine, Rear Wheel Drive, .... all the right USA muscle stuff. In a word: Superb.

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  family fun - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Jeff Porter - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I have a family of four and we love the Tracker . The overdrive button and passing power button the fuel consumption is awsome for an suv .My family enjoys the music sound and the extra power ports for tv , computer ,games ,ect. Going from a Grand am we are very happy

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  impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By jeff badger - September 18 - 2:00 am

  it is a fun and exciting vehicle to drive. Well built and very reliable.

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  Superior to Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Joe Torres - September 18 - 2:00 am

  My experience with my trail has been great! Its fun to drive. Has a very smooth drive! Definitely Ford Explorer Sucks! TrailBlazer is the best!

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  Fun Ship - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jim dSmith - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I am on my third Tahoe. This vehicle is easily the best value on the market today. It goes anywhere does anything. I could spend twice the price for a Lexus but why?

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  My first American car in 29 years - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MulchHauler - September 18 - 1:53 am

  I saw this car in January at the auto show and decided to wait until it came out this summer. The only serious competition was the Toyota Venza, but the Equinox is better-looking and a better value. I waited 7 weeks for the one I ordered to arrive. Im pleased with it. I like the comfortable seats, quiet ride and of course the mpg. Its not a great handling car, but the steering and acceleration are what you would expect in a 4-cyl. crossover. The interior lights are very cool, but theres too much plastic for my taste. I dont understand why I couldnt get the upgraded Pioneer speakers with the 1LT model. The exterior color choices are extremely unimaginative; I went with Navy blue.