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:

• 

  97 cav - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By clh - March 29 - 2:00 am

  comfortable car nice looking but too frequently in the shop for many minor problems

• 

  malibu is just ok...it always starts?! - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By paulaintacoma - March 29 - 2:00 am

  all in all the malibu has been an ok car..I am getting ready to trade it in soon ...have had two total brake jobs in 44,000 miles..the first one on gm as they said the rotors were faulty..the brakes still click when I drive..the ac has a mind of its own..comes off and on when it takes a notion to..that sucks. also dont believe the hype about the 100,000 mile coolant system..big lie I have had to keep topping it off with that special coolant at least every 3 months and the radiator light blinks off and on frequently..also the check engine light comes on for no apparent reason..but basically it has been reliable transportation for 5 years.

• 

  HHR a great car - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Our HHR - the hearse - March 28 - 3:53 pm

  We have owned our HHR for almost a year (this replaced our Saturn VUE). Its comfort level and fun to drive rating are high for us. It is black and our freinds refer to it as a hearse. It is anything but a hearse. Neat looking, lots of after market items available to customize. This is a leased car. We may wind up buying because of the style and comfort level. Highly recommend this to anyone. Just plain cool to be in and drive.

• 

  C6 -- my first Corvette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By lynette5151 - March 28 - 10:00 am

  My husband has had 6 corvettes in his lifetime, but this is my first . . . and I love it. From absolute stunning beauty to high performance and exceptional high technology, this car is everything I ever wanted. I chose a Metallic Red Coupe, and I assure you heads turn everywhere I go. People stop in their tracks to stare. I cant get through a stoplight without someone rolling down their window to tell me how beautiful my car is. Thanks, Chevrolet, for the car of my dreams!

• 

  fun fun fun - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By kyla dutil - March 28 - 10:00 am

  love it. just the way the car looks and handles is great. you cant beat the price of it either. i bought 3.

• 

  Need to look back - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By vetteboy - March 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is not as sexy as the 1962 vette. It even under performs compared to my 1962. They need to re-look at that design and go back to a real sports car. My M3 convertible(2004) is much more fun to drive and it feels more sporty as well.Its not as expensive as a 62 or the M3 but then you really get what you pay for. Im actually disappointed, I was looking for 62 exhileration again, and they missed by a mile...what happened to the 327/340horse with real giddyup...

• 

  Driver friendly - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By DANIEL LAM - March 28 - 10:00 am

  Most driver freindly sports car. Past 9 years I have owned a Porsche 968, 993,996 and a 2000 Viper but this vette is fun to drive.

• 

  best car ever - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By nickdela - March 28 - 10:00 am

  this is the best sports car for the money. with all the looks and power of legendary chevy small block, wow!!!!

• 

  Fourth Vette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bird - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought this 2005 Vett 1st week of October being early and RED. I had just sold my 1999 600 SL which gave its new buyer the thrill I had had. But this 2005 corvet is a monster. I pushed its way up the meter at 9.9 in the quarter. Impossible you say? Ha Hahaa well get whatever you are driving up next to me. ...we will see who is laughing ....i never look Back!

• 

  C6 review - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By happihank - March 28 - 10:00 am

  The C6 for someone who has never owned a performance car is a rush. Its a pleasure to drive ( mine is a 6 speed) I purchased the ISB package and Z51 suspension. Its grey with a sport grey int.