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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  Future Babys First Car - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By crenstrom - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Since we went down to one car nearly 1 year ago we have been very satisfied with our choice of the Malibu LS. The interior is very comfortable. Id recommend it as a reasonable alternative to anyone looking at a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry unless you plan on keeping the car for 15 years. The 3.1 engine is in many Chevrolet products. It has great performance, great ride, larger interior, and doesnt need 93 octane gas in the v6.

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  05/25/03 - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dawn Garcia - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great vehicle to have other than the problem I and others have with the brake system. Even after having the rotors turned and brake pads changed, it still doesnt feel right. Others have made this same comment. Otherwise, its a good car.

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  Excellent car, especially for the $. - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By SJP - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent and impressive car for the money. Good power, and handling and ride as good as the Camry. Very quite, as good as the Camry except for a little noisier engine - at least when accelerating hard. Has just about everything one would want in this class of car. Very good stereo (we have the upgrade), comfortable seats (again, since ours is the LS, the seats are an upgrade over the base - do not like the seats in the base). Very roomy. The original Firestone Affinity tires are the only down side. I replaced them with Dumlap SPs. They improved the ride and handling, especially in the rain.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By admyrar - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I have owned an Explorer and Expedition and feel that the Traiblazer EXT is one of the most comfortable and flexible SUVs on the market. The engine is ultra quiet and performs smoothly.

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  truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By radlt1mo - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Silverado. All complaints I had about the previous truck have been addressed on this new one. Much tighter turning radius than my 97. Much roomier extended cab. Controls are all placed very conveniently.

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  Not a Porsche but not $40,000 - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Lee - May 24 - 6:56 pm

  Ive had my Cobalt for 7 months and it is time to rate it. Its great. Im really a big car fan but this is a fun car. I drive about 250 miles every 4 to 5 days and I enjoy. I got every option except the ashtray for $18,200, lets see Honda beat that. Okay it does have cheap plastic interior like thay say but for the money I think it is a fine car.

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  Motor Problems - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Mike 45 - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Venture off a lease from a GM dealer. Now 2 1/2 years later with only 58,000 miles I need a new engine. Buyers beware

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  Its alright. But Im ready to get rid of - 1995 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Benja - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I havent had the car for even a year and it seems like day after day the car get weaker and weaker. Im not saying the car is bad in any way, but I prefer excellent performance and I am not getting that in my Beretta. After I purchased this car from Dinacolas, aka signature in Spencerport, Ny. My only dislike about the car is how easy it rusts, and the fuel economy. I could drive 20 miles and i would lose 3/8s of a tank of gas. Other than that I loved the car, but its time for something new...

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  MalibuLemon - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By NoMoreChevys - May 24 - 2:00 am

  Bought a Lemon! Bought car in 97 and loved it for about six months. 3 factory alternators, power-steering replaced, power window problems, engine is noisy, Front speakers broke. Seat belts have been replaced, front lights leak, tail lights blow blulbs, too many problems to list all of them. Car has over 139,000 miles & V-6 has lost its get up and go. Will NEVER buy another. Too many problems both minor and major!

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  Keeping her till something out-does her - 1996 Chevrolet Corvette
  By LT4 ya - May 24 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car in February of 1997. It was my every day driver for four years. I would describe the driving experience as unique. You feel like youre in a cockpit of a jet when you first get in. The relative heavy weight and heavy steering due to wide tires can make driving a chore sometimes. However these traits also make the car feel very stable on smooth roads. Bumpy roads do unsettle the front end and the interior squeeks. Consider this if its going to be a daily driver. Removing the top does cause "shimmying" over uneven roads. The motor is smooth, though it will frighten many female drivers especially in first and second gears.