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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  S10 ZQ8 - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By mbaker - June 25 - 2:00 am

  The S10 is, in my opinion, a great value in todays automotive market. Yes the design is old and the engine is not the most refined. GM will fix that in a few months with the release of the all new Colorado and Canyon. However, the S10 gets the job done quite well. With the ZQ8 package and a strong V6, I can tackle the curvy backroads as well as weekend chores. I do pay a price for the tight suspension. The ride is harsh. Right now is a great time to take advantage of the rebates and finance rates. My truck is loaded. I paid thousands under sticker and I have no intrest to pay. If thats not a great deal I dont know what is.

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  2000 venture plus - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By petesa - June 25 - 2:00 am

  Great luck with it. No major repairs in 3 years. No dealership visits.

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  First 3 years - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By mcgringo - June 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought a new, fully equipped Blazer. First 3 years numerous mechanical, electrical failures: transmission, alternator, A/C, wiper motor, battery, drivers window. Abraham Motors, in Miami,part of Republic Industries,now owned by Maroone, would not honor warranty for transmission failure at 16000 miles. Last two years, it is running well. Probably my last Chevy.

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  Mailbu worth the money - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Shawn555 - June 25 - 2:00 am

  For a peppy fun to drive car under 20,000 test drive a chevy mailbu. My car is silent only when you blow the doors off civcs and other punk cars cant you hear the car make noise. Also the factory sound system is very simple to use while driving. The best part is the cup holder next to the steering wheel it has already come in handy many times.

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  Quiet, Stylish, Handeling, Great Value - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By High Rollers - June 24 - 6:30 pm

  I bought this car a few weeks ago. I like the sound the doors make when it is closed - feels snug and tight. The standard safety options are great: stability control, air bags everywhere (curtain, torso, and front), traction control / abs, and OnStar. The car is quiet, corners very well, and takes bumps in amazing fashion. It is stylish, the lines are nice and the wheels/times are too cool. The seats are comfortable. The 4 cylinder engine is plenty for me. I had a Honda Civic that I traded in during the purchase of the Malibu. This car is by far superior. The Malibu rides so smoothly that I steer to the bumps and you cannot feel a thing. The Malibu is quiet too.

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  2006 Chevy Crew Cab - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Steve - June 24 - 3:00 pm

  3.73 axle ratio helps MPG: 19 city/23+ highway - great for a truck, but Id like better. Great power, chirping tires down the road. Folks complain that the interior design is old school, but I like it. Biggest issue is that the steering wheel feels off center from the seat. Great ride, fun to drive, hands down winner compared to Lariat. Big, comfortable cab is great for kids and adults. Rear radio with headphones is a hit with me and the kids. American Eagle tires are junk. Bargain for better tires. I like the 06 interior configuration better than 07.

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  SS has no rival - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Better Fords - June 24 - 9:00 am

  My last car was a Ford, & I liked it a lot. Im not stuck on one brand, rather, I buy what I consider to be the best car for the money. The SS fits that bill more than any car Ive ever owned. I love the understated, clean styling. IMHO, simple interiors are best, & the SS is as straightforward as it gets. 18" rims are great, and like the rest of the car, tough looking yet classy at the same time. Love the heated seats, XM radio, & sunroof - options I had never splurged for in the past. Hwy ride is smooth, be careful, though...this car can get away from you! Mileage is function of my driving; can get 28 mpg on hwy if I need to, but fun factor of the V8 has me averaging more like 19 :)

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  My Aveo - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Cheeky - June 24 - 2:43 am

  I love my Aveo! As soon as I saw that these were going to be coming out soon I just had to have one! Its great on gas, comfortable and very roomy. My husband is a big man and he has enough room for his long legs. I get great mileage and I just cant get over how good the car drives. I just cant say enough about my Aveo. I just hope more people buy them so they can experince the same.

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  great tow vehicle - 1996 Chevrolet Express
  By cooch - June 24 - 2:00 am

  purchased new to pull camping trailer. Mechanically very dependable and still runs great after 7 years. Interior fit and finish mediocre. Plastic does not fit cleanly. outside mirrors vibrate.

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  Others that are better - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By tbates - June 24 - 2:00 am

  *Headlights are terrible, if you are going to be driving at night, drive somthing else. *If you want a vehicle that is a snap-together vehicle your looking at the right one. Most everything inside is snapped together making it easy for it to unsnap and wear out. *If you like unusal noises coming from your vehicle, this ones a regular musical instrument.