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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  Bring it Back - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By daisydal14 - May 3 - 2:42 pm

  Bought this car new and only have 93,000 miles on it. I have been hit once in the left rear quarter panel and had it repaired back to new! I was getting 37mpg on the freeway for the first few yeas but I am still getting 35mpg today. In town is not so great. I absolutely love this car! I really enjoy driving it either around town or on the freeway. Still has great acceleration. Have only replaced thermostat, serpentine belt and brakes and a spring. Muffler has a small hole in it which is not surprising - in Wisconsin. Everything still works (knock on wood). The remote fob broke but I am getting it fixed at a jewelers as it needs to be soldered.

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  awesome - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By r j posner - May 3 - 2:00 am

  i am 68(16 may03) its a real 1st class GT love the 6 speed trans. great mpg==yuma, az to flint, michigan 30low 34 high fun to drive--15-18 hours per day goes up the az mountains at 78 and down at 78 --with cruise set at 78--rarely lose or gain 1 mph==thats at over 9000feet!!!

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  Love it Love it Love it - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Carol - May 2 - 11:36 am

  Traded in my Suburban for Traverse. Have driven Suburbans since 1997...I have never enjoyed a car so much. Gas mileage is 22 on Highway...1 trip to Florida and back...very comfortable. Only one problem...have a burning smell that cannot be located. Seems to be intermittent and 2 dealerships have looked. People stop me all the time to comment on what a great looking vehicle it is. So far, best car I have ever had including 2 Cadillacs.

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  Loved the car for a month or so, but now - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Joe - May 2 - 4:10 am

  I have owned my Cobalt for about 3 months and my initial impression has been very good. Very little rattles, good mileage, and the 4-cylinder engine has more power than I expected. But the car has been to the dealer twice now for an oil leak from the manual transmission, first at 800 miles and now at 1300 miles. It is in the shop right now and the dealer is replacing the transmission. Safe to say I am not happy. A three-month-old car with 1300 miles and the transmission needs replaced. Hopefully the new replacement will be fine. I am keeping my fingers crossed. But at this low of mileage I think the whole car should be replaced.

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  An ok car - 1991 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Rohlffy - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Its an alright car but it could get better. Not bad for a first car.

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  Great Offroad vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By StoutZR2 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Looks great, rides great and can tackle any obsticle you throw at it. It has a mean look to it with the lift kit and big tires that come from factory. I really like the third door option. Not bad mileage. I can tow my toys without any problems and when I feel adventurous the truck handles awesome off the beaten path. The best offroad truck I have ever driven that comes from factory. Good job GM,were gonna miss the ZR2 in 04. Lets hope the Colorado keeps up the tradition.

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  best under 30K - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By camaro fanatic - May 2 - 2:00 am

  this is by far the best sports car outhtere for under 30k. it has amazing acceleration even with an auto. the interior feels a little cheap and with the t-tops they so tend to rattle a little, but thats nothing i cant get live with considering the car outstanding performance.

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  OWNER OF SEVERAL BLAZERS - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By VINNIE - May 2 - 2:00 am

  PERFORMANCE,QUALITY, MECHANICAL,INTERIOR,EXTERIOR AND STYLE ARE EXCELLENT, ONLY FLAW IS LOW MILAGE OF FUEL CONSUMPTION OF THE 6 CY.

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  I got a lemon - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By phylli - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but trouble since I purchased car. Have replaced starter, gas tank removed for parts replacement due to leak, now shocks (struts) are sounding terrible. Im getting rid of the lemon.

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  Good - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By James Davis - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I beleive that this car is a really nice suv for a teenager or doing things other than towing, needs a larger engine ro more horsepower and torque