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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  My Cav - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By JAILER 6 - February 7 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive. Less road nois would be a plus.

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  Good Choice - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By mdmader - February 7 - 2:00 am

  The smaller 4.8L engine is a bit under powered. Im getting about 16 MPG on average. Mixed city and highway driving. Mileage could be better. Breaking is weak. If you haul large load, consider aftermarket breaks. Goes great in the snow and off road. Smooth when driving on the highway with stock tires. Visors are a bit small could be a bit longer to cover width of the side windows. Interior is dated.

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  Corvette Z06 is a Classic - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Z06DWS - February 7 - 2:00 am

  The first of the many sports cars that I have owned that I would have actually paid more for. Handles better than the cars that I raced SCCA years ago, yet provides a very comfortable ride, and great ergonomics. You cannot touch this car in terms of price vs. performance.

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  happy - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By joesnuffy - February 7 - 2:00 am

  Most car for the money on the market

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  2003 S/10 - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By rsaad - February 6 - 2:00 am

  PROBLEMS WITH WATER LEAKS IN CAB.POOR REPAIR METHOD FROM THE DEALER AND GM, ROOF SEAMS WERE SEALED IN THE EXTERIOR OF THE BODY,AND NOT PAINTED OR ANYTING.

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  1997 Malibu - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By roberth - February 6 - 2:00 am

  puschased this veh at 36k miles, appently all the good had been used. had trouble with alignment on rear tires. car vibrates excessively and the road noise is terrible. car was quasi- ok for the first year we had it, put in a new battery. had the alternator replaced. last year the water pump went out. that is quite a chore!! had to remove the timing chain.would not recommend this car to others.

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  Great Value! - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Cathy Moen - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Mine looks just like the one on the website too. I love it! It is a much better bargain than the Corolla. I had a Corolla for over 10 years prior to this purchase. Great buy for your money.

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  Greatest Company Car I have ever had! - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Vetdoc - February 6 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Chevy Malibu for 4 years and have had no problems. It is safe and has a lot of power. I had a choice between a ford taurus and a Chevy Malibu and I am happy with my choice, The MALIBU!

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  brake pads made of swiss cheese! - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By CliffS - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Well, after less than 32K miles, my front brake pads are completely worn out. To quote my wife, "I drive like an old lady!" I have owned several other front drive cars, none of which have needed changing before 70K! Did everything that GM allows, and of course, no ownership at all. I called the salesman, sales manager, service manager and rep together so they could witness another life long and former GM employee (to boot, I am eligible for the GM discount) walk out the door to Honda or Toyota. Im done dealing with the problems!

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  Super Sub - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By hw101 - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive had eight Subs and they keep getting better. Only reason for trading this one is to get an 04. I just hate the so called "professional" reviewers that always knock the size of the vehicle. I say, if they want to live where all you can drive is a match box, that your choice, just dont trash the most perfect vehicle in the world for the real world drivers.