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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  Disappointment - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Bmcmahan - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle in April it is now June. It has been in the shop three times. (Once for Mold in the A/C, Water damage from a defective door, and had the transmission replace). I have had many Chevy Vehicles and IÂ’m beyond the point of dissatisfied with the Colorado Truck. This truck is fun to drive when it is not in the shop for repairs. Good on gas for a Truck. All in all I would be weary of buying this truck until they have a chance to work out all of the bugs.

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  Awesome Tuck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Rewyas - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This truck is more than I could ever ask for. It does everything I want it to do. I would buy it again.

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  Close to our expectations - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By andrew - December 30 - 8:30 pm

  On the heels of 15k miles, this adequate vehicle continues to provide just enough to keep us positive about the purchase. Just some front axle noise and a/c fan whine remind us that at this price point you get some irritants. Tats just how things seem to shake out with the domestics of our time. You know, you hear something weird and think about taking it in while under warranty but somehow know you will really be wasting your time and effort in doing so because the thing still goes in gear and drives. Its generally as good as new, getting 29.5 hwy. mpg, clips along good enough on trips. Not a stand out by any means but adequately comfortable/economical.

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  A great ride - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By rdstoll - December 30 - 6:33 pm

  For a vehicle this size it is relatively quick and a fun ride. Handling is good, and most importantly, the mileage thus-far is performing up to stated claims. You can tell it is a hybrid as you drive it at lower speeds since it feels like youre driving an electric golf cart. Sometimes, there is hesitation from a dead stop as it decides whether to use electric, gas, or a combo of the two to get the truck moving. A minor quibble. Interior controls are intuitive and easy to figure out. It lacks some bells and whistles that vehicles of this price tend to have, however, such a programmed seating, heated outside mirrors, and 6-disc CD player. All in all, I love it!

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  Maxx at 7,500 Miles - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By juswheels - December 29 - 3:30 pm

  We purchased our new 05 Maxx in June of this year. We havent been a GM customer for a number of years but after a lengthly test drive, we decided to come back to GM. So far weve traveled about 7,500 trouble free miles. Not one problem or complaint. On the highway, Ive consistently averaged 33 MPG and around town in the mid 20s. I am absolutely pleased with the Quality, Handling, and Design of this car.

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  Smooth luxury tank - 2013 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Second suburban Mom - December 29 - 3:09 pm

  I love my suburban. It’s a great secure feeling to be in a strong, durable, reliable vehicle. My two kids learned to drive in this car and allbe it’s massive size the convenient adjustable gas pedal and seat allows even the shortest of people to get in and raise the seat high enough to see over the hood. The only issue I have is that it doesn’t have as much clearance under the vehicle as the older models use to built into the standard vehicle....and I refuse to pay to get a lift kit. Additionally I wish the NAV console was located slightly higher for ease of seeing while driving.

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  Cavortin - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Gary Tischue - December 29 - 11:33 am

  C5s are probably the most car you can get for the money. They now average between $15,000 and 19,000 dollars. They are on a par, performance wise with some of the worlds super-cars. Accelerates, 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds equals a Ferrari F2. Corners like a Formula racer, stops like nothing else with huge brakes, it is simply the funnest car to drive, unless you step up to a C6 or C7. Supremely comfortable, easy on fuel, fun to work on, this is the best car Ive ever owned. Get some of this!

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  Best for the bucks - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By equinox - December 29 - 10:50 am

  Have had my Nox several months and is the best SUV for the money on the market. Goes where you want to go, does what you ask, and takes all you want to take inside it. Gas mileage was an issue until was broken in, now is good. Strongly endorse it as a mid size with big size room.

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  Best Car Chevy has ever made. - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jeff B - December 28 - 9:16 pm

  Mine is a LS with 4 cyl engine. Gas mileage is okay at about 25 mpg average, but this car handles better than any GM car Ive ever driven, and seats are comfy too. If GM made more cars like this, they wouldt be on the verge of collapse. This is a fleet vehicle for me, and while I like it a lot, I would choose an Accord, Mazda 6, or Altima if I were buying with my own cash. All in all, a very nice vehicle though.

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  I got a Lemon - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By loosescrews - December 28 - 7:10 am

  My 2009 Malibu has been into the shop 3 times in the first 10 days of ownership. So far, they have "repaired" the following items. - fuel pump controller - engine computer - sun roof - driver-side power window - electronic compass I emphasize "repair" because although a number of parts have been replaced, the dealer has no idea why so many things are going bad all at once. Obviously in terms of a root cause, nothing has been repaired. So far, GM is unwilling to do anything outside the warranty process -- ie, keep taking it back for the dealer to throw parts at it -- unconscionable position. I am shredding my GM card. Never again...