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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  Chev. Cavalier - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By PhotoGal - April 19 - 10:00 am

  We have had to have it in the shop too many times already for little things. We have not been happy with the fuel usage, we thought it would be better. The front console and controls are too close together nearly causing wrecks trying to adjust the heat/air/defrost with drinks in the way.We paid way too much for what we got.

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  Family Car?? - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By funlut - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I was so excited to get rid of my Trailblazer and go back to a Malibu. I had a 98 and loved it. I was even more excited to have a sunroof and remote starter. It drives great and it comfortable and quiet. The only thing that is stumping me is child safety locks arent standard or available to be installed. My last three Chevy vehicles had it but now that I need it I dont have it. Figures! I didnt even think about it until the day my two year old opened the door on me after putting it in park to grap the mail.

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  I LOVE MY TRUCK! - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By BIRDBRAIN - April 19 - 10:00 am

  BY FAR THE BEST AND MOST FUN VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. I WOULD NOT GIVE IT UP FOR ANYTHING.

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  Trail Pull Up the Rear - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By dor - April 19 - 10:00 am

  The ride is smooth. However, I ve had many problems. The problems include: *skipping or hesitation upon acceleration *tail/brake lights unknowingly going out * A/C going out twice * A tick noise under the engine *The radio gets extremely hot, especially on long trips *Clicking on left turns, aloud thump during hard braking, and spilling from the gas tank after automatic shutoff.

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  REVIEW OF 2004 CHEVY IMPALA SS - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By J NEFF - April 19 - 10:00 am

  This is the first new car that my wife and I have purchased in 17 years. Our last car was a 1987 Mercury Cougar. We enjoyed that vehicle very much also. I like the ride of the Impala, the seating is comfortable and the view of the dash instruments is good. The car seems to have sufficent power, althought we have not had it in the mountains yet. This is the first GM product that I have owned in many year so time will tell on my continued like or dislike. Currently I am happy with it.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Jim LaMaster - April 18 - 12:08 pm

  My wifes 2011 Cruze LT has been a wonderful car for her. It was purchased in October of 2010 and one of the first Cruzes sold in the U.S. We had some safety issues to begin with such as a faulty gas line and a passenger seat that would not recognize the passenger and therefore not turn on the air bag. But once this was resolved (GM and the dealer made it a priority to resolved these issues pronto) it has been a very reliable car. The car is spunky for the little 4 cylinder it has, thanks to the turbo, gas mileage is very good and I recommend the Cruze to folks as it has been good to us.

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  Love my Malibu - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By chevpower - April 17 - 10:00 am

  I love my Malibu, it is classy, stylish, and very comfortable to ride/drive in. I love the Bronze exterior as well, paint job is excellent. The best part of this car is the power, excellent kick! The trunk is very, very roomy, and I love all the room on the inside of the vehicle. I would buy a Malibu again! This car is an exceptional value for as little as $10,000.

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  Change for a Dollar - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By healdj - April 17 - 10:00 am

  As I was getting out my Avalanche I herd "Hey, is that one of them there change for a dollar trucks?" "Yep," I said. And then it was off on my normal show a tell for the mid-gate for the Avalanche. This truck gets attention, where ever it goes. Rather its with the mid-gate down and hauling a load of junk to the dump or mid-gate up and rear window in place, hauling the boat to take the family fishing; everyone wants a look at the Avalanche. And I swear, the more attention it gets, the better it runs. Work or play, the Avalanche does it equally well and with style.

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  Disapointment - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By billyuma - April 17 - 10:00 am

  The transmission, with "Tow Haul" failed at 18000 miles and had to be replaced with a new one. Motor oil consumption was high due to a defective PCV valve.

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  Very Happy w/ this vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mr. Dan - April 17 - 10:00 am

  This is the first domestic vehicle I have ever owned and I am quite pleased. Initially I wanted a Toyota Tundra (influenced by years of byass) but became very annoyed with the lack of selection and price, so I took a chance on GM. At this point I have 12,000 miles on the truck and have had absolutely no problems other than the door seal squeaking a litte bit, a quick shot of silicon lubricant has solved that problem. The Chevy/GMC does sit a little lower than all of the other brands but I guess that is why it handles so nicely and there is still plenty of clearance for reasonable off roading.