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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  Last Chevrolet truck Ill buy - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jeff&his Pile of %$# - October 24 - 2:00 am

  Was a great truck for the 1st year I owned it, then Look out. Right around that 100,000km mark EVERYTHING went. clutch,balljoints,idlerarm,ujoints, starter,tyerod ends,oil- coolerlines,Interior parts are cheap and rattle like crazy. in 2yrs spent around $4k in Maintanence. Dont really want to but gonna go Honda next. Try to be supportive in the big 3, but Iam going broke trying to keep this thing running.

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  Im running the wheels off!! - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By scottyd - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used and drive it 150 miles round trip everyday and it has not gave me any trouble(knock on wood). Hardly uses oil and gets about 33mpg. I have 130000 miles on it and it just keeps going. I plan on driving it till she wont drive no more.

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  Great Value - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By credman - October 24 - 2:00 am

  Went from a 92 Lumina w/193,000 miles to a 02 Demo Malibu w/6,000 miles. Love my Malibu. Hope I dont have the same brake probs. w/the Malibu, but, judging from the comments here I just might have them. No one bothered to mention the Stainless Steel exhaust which NEVER got replaced on my Lumina, as well as the original shocks. Saved a small forune on them alone. Good power, plenty of space in the Malibu. Very much like it.

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  America is coming back - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By mike - October 24 - 12:50 am

  After being shut out in the cold for over 3 solid decades, the American auto industry is taking an about face with customer satisfaction and all out quality. Not a bad word to say about the Malibu, smooth ride, great start up, superb gas mileage and handling. Hope that things come around more so in the future and will be looking forward to support our American economy again!!

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  Pleasures of a Chevy Silverado - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Richard Ward - October 23 - 5:40 am

  The right balance for a good comfortable pickup. Quiet, comfortable, good gas milage and good looks.

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  great vehicle - 1996 Chevrolet Express
  By MikeJ - October 23 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been fantastic. Only problems I have had in 90,000 miles is that the computer went bad and intake manifold gasket. Still tuns like brand new

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  Camaro - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Keith S. - October 23 - 2:00 am

  You will try to find a reason to go for a drive if you own own one of these. A blast to drive!

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  Great Car! - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Cavalier Owner - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love with this car from the first time that I test drove it. The LS version has larger wheels which make for a great drive. The only maintainance that I have to do on it is the standard oil changes and services.

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  Exception to The Rule? - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Monte Carlo Z-34 - October 23 - 1:10 am

  Overall a good purchase but expensive to maintain. Comfortable driver compartment but tight for rear passengers. A joy to drive and, contrary to others experience, Ive enjoyed good fuel economy, e.g., 28 mph highway and 21 in city. Black exterior/interior and styling (with rear spoiler)is catching and appealing. Just turned 336,000 miles - yes, thats over a third of a million. Have, other than continuous service, replaced the timing belt at 300,000 miles and transmission at 320,000. Have serviced car at dealership over 50 times in the 8 yrs of ownership. Expect to sell for $3,000 in spring of 2006.

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  First time Corvette owner - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By pkw - October 22 - 6:50 am

  i sprung for the Z-51 package that includes larger tires and a more suspension goodies. Although the suspension is most impressive, the active handling system is very protective. If you are a novice, it will protect you from driving beyond your limits. That said, I have not had it on the track to see what happens when I turn off the AHS. Spinning the tires with the AHS and traction control on is very difficult. If you turn off the traction control and AHS, you can light em up all day long.