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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  Fast - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By John newton - June 12 - 9:47 am

  Best corvette And fadt

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  Has a little of everything - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By KZ55 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I test drove seven cars in one day and ended up with my Malibu. It had a little of everything that I liked about the Camery, Honda Accord,and Mazda 6. Four door, sunroof, style (looks like a richmans car) pick up and speed, spacious inside, tinted rearview mirror, no large blind spots and heated seats! It handles great. I like that I can start it from my front door and have it warmed up before I even open the car door. Trunk is large and I like that I can still carry long items by letting down the back seat. Radio controls are on the wheel which is handy. I havent bought or looked for a new car in ten years and I am so pleased with the Malibu.

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  Reliable Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By meanandlien - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I have no real complaints about the truck. I have over 25K miles on it and Ive had no problems. The suspension is a little stiffer than other trucks Ive owned which makes the ride a bit choppy. When the engine is cold I do get the "piston slap" but I have been told that this is just the way the engine was designed. Great Truck

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  Could be a awesome truck - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By bmoney - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my TB for almost 2 years now. I like the idea of Bose stereo, but the side speaker panels rattle when the base hits from the speakers. Chevy shouldnt put bose systems in vehicles if they cant make it not rattle. Also, i realize this is an SUV and i shouldnt be cornering fast but the seats have no side bolstering to hold you in place. Are these only designed for fat people? Sometimes the AC wouldnt work. Sunroof motor wouldnt work on hot days and sunroof got stuck in open position. If they make better seats, tighten up the suspension and design the door panels to handle the Bose system, this could be an awesome truck.

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  Best US vehicle in 15 years - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Scottthecarguy - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I have traded cars every 24 months since 1987 until the 2000 Silverado. Ive driven it 48 months. I had differential bearing failure ($1400 - 50% GM regional repayment)at 45K miles and anti-Lok light in the winter until the system is warm. Michelin 265/70-16 SUV Terrain tires and top end Monroe shocks improved the ride to almost perfect. 16.8 C/H MPG average no better on the highway only (80+ MPH usually). Parking brake has little holding power. Replaced all 4 brakes at 80K miles and was advised that 50% material remained. Previous generations got only 30K miles, so Im making up for the bearing failure in reduced brake service.

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  A true 4x4 vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Guy M. Del Vecchio - June 12 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle will take you from here to eternity. It is a 4x4 reminisent of 4 wheelers of the late sixties/early seventies. This truck is a true performer.

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  Finally a real SS - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By red64chevelle - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Let me start by saying,"I love my Silverado SS." It has all the power I could want, great style, and has as nice of an interior that I would want in a truck. The milage is kinda poor (12-15mpg range) but the power and stability provided between the 345hp and the All wheel drive more than makeup for it.

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  Really a decade before its time..Great car but ... - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By J. Cobbs justhangin inthere - June 11 - 4:06 pm

  Hello. Ive owned GOLDIE ( my gold and tan interior maliboo-boo) for over 14 years, and to the cars credit havent been impressed with many new cars because of the inivations on this malibu in 2000. Try these standard features on my car with the cars of 2016 and see why it was way ahead of is time.... Engine small v-6 3.1 liter and still gets 25-26 mpg combined...thats right.. full size chevy heavy steel frame car that gets 26 mpg combined and its quick...My wife had a 3.6 liter pontiac GRAN AM with 210 hp and I beat her every time...go figure. I have carbon fiber on my dash..free no add on cost. One of the most powerful heater/AC systems Ive every felt ( even over my FORD F250 work truck ) and very comfy seats even for my bad hip ( Im 60 years old and crashed by cycle a few years back) Add full AUTO HEADLIGHTS, ENGINE HILL HOLDER EVEN IN SAN FRANSICO(impressive) and a simple engineand even self-adjusting brakes and a trunk you can almost fit a full size bike into( with the front wheel off) and you have a car that lead the way in many ways and even to this day and the paint even looks fresh as the day she came off the factory showroom too. The reason Im writing this is because of my medical issues( Diabetic, eye sight, nerve issues) I cant really drive her any more and Im donating her to a needy family nearby. If you find a CHEVY MALIBU just be aware that engine seals can be a issue with them and need to be replaced every few years...Hell it still has the factory stereo speakers in it and have gone thur 3 hi powered dash radios...She will be missed as the innovator of the GM lineup for the NEW CENTURY ...many imatators have come but no-one did it better...Good bye my fathful stead ...my you live on...but never forgotten . with your gentle seats and your powerful horses...A DEW...Jay Cobbs

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  Gas? - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Nur2652 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Great car, very happy with it do far. Love the style of the body, if you catch it from an angle it looks like a BMW, really nice interior, love the 2 tone color (black & red) nice dash gauges pretty easy to use. Im 6,0 315 and I fit very comfortably. Metallic black paint color looks great. Very quiet ride, only 1 problem. Ive used 3 tanks of gas already and avg only 18 mpg. 810 miles in 45 gallons of gas. Where is the 24/36/29 they claim? I travel city and highway plenty. Did I get a fuel lemon? I really really like car, but pretty disappointed in gas mpg. Also new cars need an easier way to raise and move seats, not a fan of the pump system.

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  Economical Luxury - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Houston Gal - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I came across the Cruze by accident while looking for a small car with good gas mileage. Well, it is a a luxurious, smooth driving, economical car.I could not have asked for anything more. I looked at the Jetta, Corolla, Mustang, and even a Saab. All were more expensive with fewer perks and luxury.