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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  All I hoped that it would be - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Michael Miller - October 6 - 10:33 am

  I love this car. I consistenly get 26.5 miles to a gallon around town and on the freeway. My average speed in use is 30 mph. I roll it at 70 on the freeway and combined with my street level average 30 mph. Handy layout lets me haul large items. Plenty of pep in small engine.

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  Excellent fuel mileage - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Kenny in NM - October 6 - 10:10 am

  Bought in 2003 with 17,000 Miles. Replaced CV joints at 70K. New Plugs wires at 100K. Just drove from NM to AL and back for vacation and got 32 MPG on first tank of fuel (Night-time Driving With a/c off). Averaged 25.7 MPG for the total 3068 miles driven.

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  One of the best cars I have ever owned! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By priggly - October 5 - 2:18 am

  I have now owned my 2006 Impala SS for forty months and have to say that it is absolutely one of the very best cars that I have ever owned. It is blindingly fast, exceedingly comfortable, handles very well, quiet, solid, free of problems and generally of extreme quality. I have had very few problems with the car and which are limited to a bad battery which was replaced under warranty and a defective power steering hose/clamps, also done under warranty. The dealer service experience has also been unparalleled with polite, competent and thoroughly professional service each and every time I have taken the car in for service. I have been most impressed with the level of professionalism.

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  Best car ever - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By gramps99 - October 4 - 9:09 pm

  Bought new in January 2009. I was attracted by the exterior styling, the two tone interior and the fuel economy. I like the quiet ride and overall feel of the car. With 9,500 miles on the car there are absolutely no problems. Fuel economy is better than the EPA rated. I live in a rural area & my city driving has very few stops. I keep an Excel spreadsheet for fuel economy and the calculated economy is even better than the readings on the dash. The lifetime fuel economy so far is 30.4 mpg overall. The 2.4 engine is quiet and reasonable for acceleration (not a hot rod).

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  Too Much Good Stuff - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By krs3087 - October 4 - 8:26 pm

  Absolutely love my new malibu! Last 09 on the lot...Handles well, plenty of get up and go, and I love the exterior design. I look forward to every drive I take.

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  07 1500 w/ the new body style - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 07Chevy1500 - October 4 - 5:20 pm

  I have to say this is the nicest most comfortable truck I have ever owned. To really set it off I have the 5.3 and it has great power and better fuel millage than the smaller V8. Love it!

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  Review - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Ken - October 4 - 10:54 am

  I love my trailblazer. I am a drummer and have to haul my equipment every weekend. I traded down from a 99 Suburban and was concerned about the loss in space but the TB turned out to be fine. Handles well and Im proud to say the engine light has only came on once because of a faulty gas cap.

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  I love my Aveo! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By heather Anne - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had my car for 2 days, and Im lovin it. I get a lot of comments on it.

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  fun to drive - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By darrell - October 4 - 2:00 am

  easy to drive in cities, also easy to get around period

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  Malibu LS V-6 - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jmart - October 4 - 2:00 am

  The car is really peppy with the V-6. Absolutely LOVE the remote start feature on the cold winter mornings.