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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  Base Malibu-Great value-Great car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dick T - August 23 - 3:10 pm

  I love this car, Super gas mileage, 30+ in suburban driving, 36+ on a highway trip. The 4cylinder has plenty of zip for any normal driving. The V6 models must be real performers. Electric power steering is really great. Get a GM credit card and save more money. I have friends with Honda Acords that have had several problems, but I have had none. Chevy gets an A+ with the new Malibu.

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  Great fun truck - 2018 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Steven Sanner - August 23 - 9:42 am

  Absolutely love this truck, I average 18Mpg driving to work but I can get around 24Mpg when Im just cruising down back roads. Love the ride, very smooth and can hardly feel any bumps.

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  S-10 Keeps on Trucking - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By GJCAILL - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I have had only minor repairs until recently.(front end work-lower ball joints,upper a-frame bushings,tierod ends,idler arm and center link. I had previously had only changed the ac compressor, spark plugs one time, water pump-leaking,belt,and idler pulley.The shocks have all been replaced

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  Getting fed up!! - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jessica Cardona - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Had A/C problems since I took it off the lot!! Had to be brought back every summer since date of purchase for the A/C. Freon is coming through my vents!! Crack occured after 30,000 miles on the dashboard. Check engine light always comes on, but they cannot find anything wrong with it. (so they say)..Shutters on the highway after reaching 70mph. Sometimes it hesitates on startup. Hesitates a lot when not in motion. Pain in the butt to change headlight bulbs.

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  Reliable Cavalier - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By JMeadows - August 23 - 2:00 am

  A very good, reliable and gas friendly vehicle. Very little up keep other than basic oil changes, etc.

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  Reliable Venture - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By JMeadows - August 23 - 2:00 am

  This is our family vehicle. It is very reliable and comfortable. There are so many options for storage.

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  Gas Milage On Actual Usage - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SPCCTX - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Yes, Ive noticed that in town stop and go driving kills the mpg, but once on the highway its much better. I have the V-6. The only thing Ive noticed is that tiny rust marks like tiny pin hole drops are all over the paint. Im not sure what happened there since I bought the car used back in Nov. 03.

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  Great vehicle for the money! - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Blazer248 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  So far this has been a great vehicle to own! Minor annoyances like chipping paint on the radio, and a piece of molding above the windshield flying off. I have not yet had a mechanical problem with this vehicle at all!

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  Suits its purpose - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By lmstearn - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I am in a van because I need to be with 3 year old twins. Going in to it I decided I wanted bare bones only with no fancy extras like power doors, etc. However, this is my second van and there were some must haves like rear air and 8 passenger seating. Ive owned the van for 1 year and have been very happy with it. It definitely suits its purpose and I have no major complaints. Overall I am very satisfied with this vehicle.

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  Great Car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sommer567 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  This is the first new car I have purchased and couldnt be happier. Great design, smooth ride, lots of pickup. Also, surprising amount of storage space for a mid-size sedan. Only thing I would change about this car is the interior...not a fan of the looks of it, nor the feel.