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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  Family Sports Car!!!! - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Black Tie - August 21 - 1:17 am

  I love this SUV! It is the first 4door car I have ever owned. More powerful than my 70s Vette and 98 Trans Am, handles almost as well. And it can haul my family of five comfortably.

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  First ownership of a GM Vehicle - 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Harry - August 20 - 4:32 pm

  I have purchased a 2016 1LT with the Convenience and Technology package on 1/2016. So far this car is great. Very smooth and has better power output than my previous car (that has a 2.0L N/A 4 banger). The seats are very comfortable and sink in when you sit in it. The lumbar support is great and visibility is very sleek. Im retiring from my rice burner days for something very quite and easy cruiser for everyday tasks. I personally call it the quarter life crisis car.

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  Refined, Comfortable, Powerful, Thirsty - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By PaulC - August 20 - 12:33 pm

  This is my second large SUV, having traded a first-gen Ford Expedition for my Tahoe LT 4x4. Where the Tahoe trumps the Expedition is overall refinement, offering a smoother, more supple ride, better sound isolation, and incrementally better handling. The 1950s Chris-Craft bass exhaust burble is entertaining but never obtrusive, and hints at the burly, but refined nature of whats under the hood. The instrument panel and switchgear appears to be a lift from a late-model Audi, which is just fine by me. Negatives: Too heavy for its size, and a 26-gallon tank is just too small, particularly if you plan to tow with this vehicle. The Expedition had a 30- gallon tank, which was just right.

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  A Long Overdue Change - 2009 Chevrolet Colorado
  By FLYONS - August 20 - 12:08 pm

  I just purchased the Colorado a few weeks ago after driving a 1995 Nissan XE pickup for 14 years. I was reluctant to give up the Nissan because it had been a very reliable and solid vehicle but I was able to give it a good home with a family member. I am enjoying the ride, styling, comfort of my new Colorado. I like the fact that it appears to be a scaled down version of the Silverado. I have the 4 cylinder engine with the automatic transmission and it has good power and adequate acceleration. The gas mileage is pretty much what I obtained with the Nissan about 22 mpg. Overall I like the vehicle and have received numerous compliments about it.

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  The car dreams are made of - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Patrick - August 19 - 1:36 pm

  The new Impala is on its way to outselling the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. It already has sells of 171K so far this year for the sedan alone compared to 178K for the Honda Accord sedan and coupe and 218K for the Toyota Camry sedan and coupe. The Impala is a very comfortable riding car that gives me all of the power I need when I need it.

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  One Classy Family Hauler - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bill - August 18 - 9:43 pm

  The model we bought is not as indicated since the drop down menu did not let me select the V6 LTZ. We bought this Malibu with all of the options available including even the extra cost Red Jewel Tint paint that has a nice subdued gold metal flake built into the paint color. This is one very classy and upscale looking car especially with the two tone (mocha w/cashmere)leather interior. The car has gotten many compliments especially once people have ridden in it. It is very quick for a family sedan and the V6 seems to always be loafing unless pushed.

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  Comfortable and Well Built - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By Service Director - August 18 - 7:44 pm

  This car is put together very nicely. It has plenty of power and easily will get 31+ MPG with sensible driving,The car is excellent for quality and price.

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  very nice - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By paulbier - August 18 - 7:05 pm

  traded in Ford Explorer for Traverse. I was very happy with my Explorer and thus far the Traverse is a much more enjoyable. The interior comfort & drive is nicer. I purchased the captains chairs for the second row. With 2 young children, it is much more efficient to access the 3rd row. getting just under 18 mpg city.

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  What a ride.... - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By wyandot - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Over four years now & 238,000 miles. I couldnt ask for a more reliable truck. Fuel pump, water pump, & the alternator were the only things needing replaced. Pretty good for that many miles! Comfortable, powerful, & it does everything I ask it to do. Best vehicle Ive ever owned.

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  Underrated - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By bigben26 - August 18 - 10:00 am

  The Maxx is an impressive buy. It offers incredible features for a reasonable price, and it even turns heads... (thats free). Not regretting the purchase one bit.