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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  Not a happy camper! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bonnie0372 - August 27 - 2:00 am

  I have only had this vehicle since June of 2004 and already it has been in the shop 3 times!!!(Recalls, bulletins) I have had a rough idle from the first week I brought it...I took it in the dealer and they of course cant find anything wrong with it. I am not happy with the performance of this car....AT ALL..but the style, comfort etc is excellant.

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  2004 LT - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By longbow31 - August 27 - 2:00 am

  the car is not real ppretty in from the front.

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  Still love it after 10 years - 1995 Chevrolet Impala
  By mohammo - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought our SS off the showroom floor in 94. Wish We would have waited a year to get the floor shifter offered in the 96 model. When new, we were regularly smoking the 5.0 Mustangs and impressing local law enforcement. Lots of fun to beat up ponies with a grocery-getter. Frequently asked if its for sale...maybe...if my wife convinces me to upgrade to a C6 Vette.

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  yahoo - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By DDD - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I love this car it is the coolest car and I think everyone should have one and I cant wait to get mine customized in hot pink. Its going to look so cool and it will be the only one like it!

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  Perfect vehicle for family vacations. - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Rodney880 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Chevy Venture Warner Brothers Edition. It is the perfect vehicle for an active family. There is nothing like a van for road trips/vacations. The Entertainment center keeps the peace. The only complaint has been the problematic air conditioning - had it in for service and they told me that it works just fine - but it doesnt hardly work at all! Love the fold down 3rd row seat and the 8 passenger capcity.

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  My 2001 Suburban - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By John N. Ottey - August 26 - 2:00 am

  My 2001 Suburban has a powerful 5.3 L V8 and on the highway I get 19.5 MPG. I chose a two wheel drive model for better fuel economy, lower cost, less chance of mechanical failure, and because I dont need four wheel drive. I plan on keeping it for 250K miles. If I thought Id resell it after a couple of years I probably would have chosen a four wheel drive model since resale would be easier. I love this truck. It is roomy inside and comfortable for my family. I have four children who all enjoy riding in it, and I dont have to worry about them out-growing it. It has a front bench seat (that I insisted on) and a third row seat with fairly easy access, and

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  2001 2500HD - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By rackmaster287 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Problem with engine knock and goig to full throttle when slowing or stopped with foot on brake. Neither problem fixed by dealers.

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  My 2003 Avalanche Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Richard J. Ruggiero - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Fantastic riding also the extremely comfortable seats. My wife enjoys the heated seats.Overall view while driving is great and the only complaint are the mirrors are very wide and on a narrow rd you can almost meet oncoming vehicles mirror to mirror. This is my first Avalanche and certainly wont be my last.

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  trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By gyhooya - August 26 - 2:00 am

  great suv, fun to drive, great economy, great engine

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  Great Vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By beak - August 26 - 2:00 am

  More fun to drive than my Vette. Great vehicle on the road and on long road trips. Very comfortable.