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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  Murrays HD - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By J Murray - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Great truck for work, play, and family

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  GET A 5-SPD IF YOU WANT BETTER MILEAGE - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Stickman - August 12 - 10:00 am

  these really are great trucks, and they dont have to get awful mileage. i am averaging 14.5 in town (i never get on the highway) with the 6.0 liter, 5 speed and 4.10 rear end. everything is stock, but am going to add a K&N filter and bigger tires soon. this is my 4th chevy PU in a row and i had 225,000 on my last one. nothing wrong with it, just got tired of driving it.

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  Small Car with a Big Ride - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By J.R. Williams - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I am a Big Guy and I drive a Chevy Silerado, and the Family car is the Malibu. I was very suprised at the amount of room in the car. It fits me like a glove and can that Malibu move down the road. The ride is superb for a mid size and it handles well. The electric steering is very sensitive, requiring little effort. My wife and teenage daughter love the look and the way it drives also. We drove it on vacation and averaged 28 mpg on the interstate,mountains, and city. We drove the speed limit and then some. The only complaint is that the interior could use a little upgrade to make it more asthetically pleasing. Over all a wonderful vechile

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  the new malibu is great - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By alex0715 - August 12 - 10:00 am

  the new malibu is far better then the old one.it more fun to drive and it handle 100%better then the old one.

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  # 1 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By John XXX - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Very smooth on long drives. Can drive all day, easily.

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  2004 Tblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Russelle77 - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Our first suv, have had two chevy trucks 79/86. The quality looks really good to me, have only had it a week now, no problems found yet. We are extremely happy with the deal we got, had a $1000 certificate from the truck. Got it for $9000 off sticker. Big discounts available right now. Everytime my wife drives it she gets out with a big smile on her face.

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  Still the best performance bargain - 1997 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Inaband - August 11 - 6:57 pm

  This C5 is my 4th corvette, found on the net. Owned 5 years so far, no major problems, just oil changes, antifreeze and reg maintenance. 28 mpg highway w/ 6 speed. I drive it to club shows and functions, awesome car for the money.

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  More than you can imagine - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jerry - August 11 - 10:18 am

  This is the only car on the planet that you can : drive all day, do a 12 second quarter mile, put on a road course and go 185 mph, gets 25 mpg city/country, top down then put on a tux and take your wife dancing, all in the same day in the same car. This is the greatest car ever built for the money and it is unlikely that it will ever be equaled again. If you dont love this car, you are not human.

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  Malibu, a job well done - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Tee - August 11 - 9:07 am

  Well I guess the days of new car first service lists is over! Drove it out of the dealers lots and been going ever since. No complaints here, and i can be a little picky on my cars. For as much as cars cost today its a true value and stylish to boot. And an added kicker, 20mpg in town and 29 highway loaded up on a trip, well above the mfgs stated economy. This is with the 252 hp v-6. Love the car and @ 63years old Ive been through a few. Keep it coming GM, well done

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  Best vehicle to come out of US car maker - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By atlfan - August 11 - 6:26 am

  Kudos to GM! I cannot be happier with this vehicle. Ive avoided US auto makers over last 10 years, and only took a look at the Tahoe after we had our third child. The Tahoe is quiet. The fit and finish is unbelievable, and it rides like a luxury car. We took a 12 hour road trip and it was extremely comfortable.