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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  Track Tested - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By olenc - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car mainly because of past Monte Carlo experience, and being a NASCAR fan of the # 3 Monte Carlo.I had the opportunity this summer to go to Talladega Superspeedway and take it 2 laps around the track. Awesome at 120 MPH!!! Awesome around the highway too. No problems so far. I bought it with 67,000 miles on it and I will put 55- 60,000 anually on it. Great experince so far.

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  Best Chevrolet in Years - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MPBRAD111 - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I have had the new Malibu for a little over a month now and could not be more pleased. This car is the best that Chevrolet has offered since the rear wheel drive Impala SS. I bought the car for my wife, but I find myself driving the car a lot more than I thought I would. Import/European style, qualty and safety not previously available from Chevrolet.

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  whoa - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By flynmalibu - August 29 - 2:00 am

  The 2004 malibu is incredible, i owned a 2001 and traded it in, the most amazing piece of machinery i ever seen, the power of the V6 really kicks and you can seriously feel the 200 HP in the engine, i admit the price to pay for the car was high, but the room, look and color interior really styles a malibu, not to mention the amazing 23 mpg i acheive only in street driving. its not 100% economy, but i recommand this car to anyone who seeks sport with refinement.

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  great truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By farmchicaonu - August 29 - 2:00 am

  truck is powerful and comfy

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  Supercharged SS - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Kimberly Roach - August 28 - 2:56 pm

  I have had my Supercharged SS for just over 2 months and I love it! It is fun to drive. It turns heads everywhere I go! I shopped around before buying the Monte Carlo, and I couldnt be happier with the decision I made. It is a little rough on gas, but the good looks and speed make up for that!

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  2001 Trail Blazer - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By BG - August 28 - 11:28 am

  I first rented one at Jackson Hole Airport. Liked it so much I returned to Nashville and purchased one. It has been trouble free except for the smog pump failure at 90000 miles. I love driving it. Consumer Reports rates it bad and I rate it Excellent. Ive driven on long trips and its a joy. Easy to park and non-tiring on long trips. Two thumbs up!

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  First Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Lisa - August 27 - 7:33 pm

  I was skeptical about getting a truck, but after driving this one I would recommend it to anyone. The ride is smooth and the gas mileage is way better than that listed on the sticker. The resale value is also excellent.

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  Love My Uplander!!! - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Lovin it! - August 27 - 6:00 pm

  We recently upgraded to an Uplander from our Chevy Venture, due to high mileage. We love everything about it and are proud to own a Chevy! One thing that impressed me was how much leg room there was in all three rows even with the captains chairs in the middle. Plus the seats are nice and solid, so you dont sink in to them when you sit in them. The DVD is great for long trips and the fuel economy is GREAT! We love our Uplander!

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  to hell and back....... - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Max - August 27 - 3:47 pm

  Could this be the perfect car? i saw my vehicle in a friends front yard for 550 dollars, with 98000 miles on it. now it has 203000 miles. what went wrong during my year and a half of ownership? nothing really! the only repairs ive had to make was spark plugs (looked like they were never changed!),a new radiator(i drove it too hard one night), and a new water pump and belt. and these repairs were far and few in between. i even drove this car in the cold winter of 2008 WITH NO ANTIFREEZE and it started and ran EVERY TIME!!! chevy should design all of their cars like this one. and the water pump didnt crap out until 150000 miles AFTER i got the car. that is damn good considering the age.

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  Out the door trip - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Alan J. McTaggart - August 27 - 1:39 pm

  Took my Traverse with only 180 miles on it out to South Dakota on a 3,600 mi trip with absolutely no problems four adults and luggage everybody as comfortable gas mileage averaged 20.9 for the whole trip. More mileage on the vehicle the better the mileage. Could not have been happier with the vehicle.