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:

• 

  Bettys Review - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Enelse - January 26 - 2:00 am

  I have 130,000 mioles on my car and Ive only replaced an altenator and wheel bearings. She lacks power but once she gets up to speed she can hang with the best. Shes never left me on the side of the road and I definitely do an exceedingly amount of highway driving. Even now I wont hesitate to take her on a road trip. I would say the only complaints I have is with the brakes. They dont last like I think that they should and they arent big enough.

• 

  Great Car Better than A Pontiac - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By whitedragon814 - January 26 - 2:00 am

  Well I just bought my car and trade in a pontiac sunfire. To compare the two well their is no comparison. I notice all the room in side and the performance was 100% better. The Gas milage is also 100% better. Overall the impala is a very comfortable car and fun to drive. Unlike the Sunfire

• 

  I love this car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By scope - January 25 - 9:10 pm

  If anyone belives the interior is cheap please check out the SS tuner. What a fun to drive head turner. Take one out for a spin and you will be sold. Also the tuner SS only comes in a five speed manual (need for speed)car. I never have to share it with anyone who cant drive a real car.

• 

  Just a great car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By PATIENCE - January 25 - 6:36 am

  This car is awesome. It has so many great features that come standard. Ive always recieved compliments on the sound system, and spacious interior. I was rear-ended and the car that hit me looked like it had been in a major accident, while you couldnt tell that my Malibu had been hit. This car was involved in an unfortunate incident where it went over a 35-40 ft enbankment and landed on its nose. There were 2 passengers, one wearing their seatbelt and one not, they were both able to walk away from the accident,and when tow trucks arrived and got all four wheels on the ground, the Malibu started with no problem. Theres no arguement that this is just a great car!

• 

  I love this car! - 2000 Chevrolet Lumina
  By johnnyrocket - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the car for just over a year and so far its been my favorite car yet. Its fun to drive, has plenty of power, smooth ride, lots of room and gets really good gas mileage.

• 

  Good family car - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Chevy owner - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Overall I like my car, always starts and runs well for the most part. is very roomy, and handles pretty good. I would of liked a little more power out of the engine which when its cold outside the engine just began to make a tapping noise? The engine also this year began using about 1 quart of oil in-between 3500 mile oil changes. Car only has 75000 mile on it bought it a year old with 10000 in 1997. Interior of car is wearing out faster then rest of the car. Cup holder in arm rest broke about a year ago. Driver seat mounting bracket just broke this month.

• 

  Not worth buying!!?? I think not - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By Brian L - January 25 - 2:00 am

  LTs got it all. Indestructable engine, good suspension for its size, lot of room in the back.

• 

  My Van - 2000 Chevrolet Astro
  By Jerry99999 - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Very good van, I find that the GM is still good quilty. Very happy with the AWD.

• 

  Chevy Blazer - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Carlas Stone - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Best decision my wife and I have ever made in our auto purchases. Our kids love the space,comfort and look as well as my wife and I. I plan to be a long time customer of chevrolet for they have never left me dissapointed.

• 

  Excellent Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dave Dilllon - January 25 - 2:00 am

  I Love it, my grandkids love riding in it.It rides just as good if not better than my Town car. I have put over 36,000 miles on it. 93% highway miles, driving through most of the mid and Atlantic states. Never had a problem of any kind. I change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles. Best truck I have ever owned. Love the ride and the handling, Towing 6 to 7,000 lbs is a breeze with the tow package.