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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  Best "Small" SUV on the Road - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By NoxisGreat - November 5 - 1:33 pm

  This is the best "Small" SUV on the road. Forget the RAV 4 (dated), CR-V (unsightly), Ford Explorer (even more dated). Best value for the $. Engine/transition are excellent. Seats are very comfortable. Excellent technology included. Interior fit and finish is excellent and features quality material. I am fully impressed. There is a reason GM cant keep these in stock and is adding capacity to keep up with demand. Also cant believe editors rated only 7.5- did they rate the 2009 Equinox instead?

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  Love the Car - 1998 Chevrolet Metro
  By steveg - November 5 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Metro, bought this 1998 Model with 28000 on it June 2002. Have had 0 problems and get close to 50 miles to the gal. If you want a nice little car that gets you there and back cheep this is the car.

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  Long lasting & inexpensive to own - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Guano - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car new 8 years ago. It is very reliable and when minor things have broken (Alt.,waterpump,blinker switch)parts are very cheap. Knock on wood, it has never stranded me in 116,000 miles. Take care of these cars and they take care of you. No leaks and doesnt burn oil. My wifes New Beetle has cost more to fix and burns oil w/only 40,000 miles. Very easy to work on. Done all work myself except for Struts. Gaps in body panels are off, structural integrity is wobbley, dash bounces on semi rough roads since day one. If you want a good, cheap to buy and mantain car that will last a long, long time, buy this one!

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  Great Car - 1991 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Berretta Ed - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car new and have loved every minute of driving it. The fuel economy was great, especially for the performance. I have nearly 190,000 miles on it. Unfortunely my daughter was involved in an accident that crunched the front end. I was surprised at how easy it was to repair. Fantastic car. Paid $12,300 for it new and have really gotten my monies worth.

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  Satisfaction - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Cway - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I am ultimatly pleased with the vehicle thus far. Ride quality is exeptional and engine has more then enough huevos. I really feel you get alot of vehicle for the price.

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  My Xtreme - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Knowklew - November 5 - 2:00 am

  My Xtreme has been a very fun truck to drive and has a big opening for aftermarket add-ons which i dropped plenty of money into. The ride in my truck is comfortable if you like the sporty bumpy pick up truck style but i didnt buy my Xtreme for the purpose of comfort. The handling on my truck, along with the new tires i installed, allows me to keep up with a lot of more expensive sports cars that. The one downside of my truck is the fuel economy, it sucks literally. I did opt for the V6 and the automatic in my truck and i must say that with a few bolt-ons my truck is a rocket.

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  Hold on tight!!! - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By White Lightning SS - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Only complaint - drive shaft cannot handle all the horses. Ive had it replaced twice. There is a chevy bulletin out on this and a heavier duty shaft available. My car still has twisted the newest drive shaft too (I dont do anything stupid to abuse it). I couldnt tell these things were even happening - it was when I took it into the dealer that they caught it. I hope before the warranty is out they have a shaft that wont weaken.

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  Best Hatchback made - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Drummer182 - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Car is fast as hell, plenty of room, remote start, dvd package.. everyone I know loves it

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  GREAT CAR - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By GINGER - November 5 - 2:00 am

  THIS NEW MAXX IS A GREAT LITTLE CAR TO DRIVE.

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  THIS SEDAN TURNS OUT TO BE TOP QUALITY. - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Mr_Picks - November 5 - 2:00 am

  If you are looking for a vehicle that has a feel of a luxury car at an affordable price, the Malibu is for you. It is stylish, spacious, quiet, good fuel economy for its engine size, electronics, and suspension, makes this car a fun and smooth ride. Oh...and most important to me...it has been one of the most reliable cars I have driven.