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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  Simply Unbelievable - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ADE 1000 - August 3 - 2:00 am

  My 2001 was my first Corvette after dreaming about owning one since I was a child. The car is simply amazing. The power, grip, and brakes are far more than anyone needs on the street, and are adequate to embarrass pretty much every other car out there on the track. It is also fairly practical, offering a decent ride for a sports car, a fair amount of cargo space, and suprisingly good fuel economy on the highway. My car has never burned a drop of oil and has never needed a trip for the shop for any kind of warranty work. The car also responds well to basic mods, just changing the air intake has taken me past 400hp according to my last dyno run.

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  good - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Yuan Wei - August 3 - 2:00 am

  best car i ever driven

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  muscle at its max - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By JordanZ06 - August 3 - 2:00 am

  I would say the Corvette ZO6 is way cooler and faster than a viper. If you like muscle cars than you should buy a corvette.

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  Stay Away from Astro and GMC Products - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By Astro Owner - August 2 - 2:00 am

  The Astro Van has known manufacturing defects that GMC/Chev. have not addressed which include, the side window not locking in an open position, transmission slippage, idler arm defects which result in early wear of tires. This is a poorly built, low volume vehicle that either needs to be pulled from assembly or fixed.

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  vette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By printer631 - August 2 - 2:00 am

  far better than any corvette ever built

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  07 Yukon - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Annshusband1 - August 1 - 1:46 pm

  Had a 2000 YUKON and really hated to give it up, but I could not pass up the deal they made me and I am so happy with my 2007. The ride is softer, the room is bigger, and the mileage is better with the 5.3 DOD. Many more features than 2000.

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  What Fuel Economy? - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By silveradohd - August 1 - 7:42 am

  I own a 2002 2500 HD Silverado 4x4 with the 6.0L engine that has 115000 miles on it for six years now and i could not be more pleased with it. Ive done a few mods to it like larger tires, flowmaster cat back exhaust, K&N air filter and some other cosmetic items.The truck has been super reliable and is a blast to drive. As far as fuel economy, I didnt buy it for that. but It still gets about 16 mpg and tows anything i put behind it. As far as fuel economy is concerned 16 mpg from that big of a motor isnt thats bad. Their maybe more efficient trucks on the market today but I would still put my Silverado up against any gasoline truck out there as far as perfomance and reliability.

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  Look elswhere! - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jcosta - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought this new and 2 weeks after taking delivery had it back at the dealer to have the inside roof (of all things) repaired due to a loud noise. Less then 6 months later it was the AC switch, and then the tie rods and then breaks (3 sets in 39k miles). One set of new tires and a couple of other minor things before the head gasket went at 37k miles. Out of warranty... Talked to the service manager and complained about the poor quality of these cars and he told me these engines are notorious for blowing head gaskets. Squeaking serpentine belt replaced 8 times in 3 years. Theyd replace it, but never found the problem for the reoccurring squeak.

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  Would not buy again - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ys91t7f - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Not a bad vehicle for the price except for chronic brake problems that many others appear to have (if you must buy this car, get the extended warranty!). Problems with A/C also common and annoying clacking noise from engine. Fairly roomy interior, but seats lack leg support for taller drivers on long trips. Would be fairly happy if GM could correct brake problems but they dont seem to have the will or ability to fix. Sorry GM, you blew it with this consumer... just bought a new Toyota

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  I LOVE THIS CAR - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By RENEE - August 1 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR IS DA BOMD