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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  Get the V-6 with standard steering - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By steve - December 18 - 7:43 pm

  Test drove the lt1 and found it to be a fantastic deal with only one flaw. The electric steering on this car is not right. It seems to over steer for every correction the driver makes and thus creating a constant moving of the wheel to keep a straight line. The electric steering definitely needs some fixing here and I doubt that gm is going to jump on that for this model. Best bet is to get the v6 with the standard hydro steering.

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  Suggest you try a Malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Pris - December 17 - 2:00 am

  My chevy maliby is fun and easy to drive and has a lot of conveniences like adjustible steering, pedals and seat. Excellent gas mileage. I like it very much, although Ive only had it for two months. My only wish is more confortable seating. Plusher seats.

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  excellent - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ya no - December 17 - 2:00 am

  best car ever, my favorite care very powerful and fast, true american muscle ferrari at a fraction of the price

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  Edmunds Reviews Sux - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Giselle - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Edmunds review is totally wrong. For example, Ive had my Corvette for over a year and the maintenance costs have been zero dollars. Absolutely nothing has broken or required repair. The whole review smacks of a "tree-hugging Eco-freak" or someone insanely jealous of Corvette owners.

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  2003 Silverado V6 - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By gggcag - December 17 - 2:00 am

  I wanted an economical full-size extended cab pickup. This truck has the 4.3 liter V6 and delivers 20+ MPG and still has adequate performance. I have now owned it one year with no problems. It rides very well and is comfortable.

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  Like a Rock, Beats Catch the Feeling - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jr2838 - December 16 - 10:16 pm

  Strong looks, very well balanced ,and an incredible ride. Remote start, heated seats, sunroof and OnStar, Great job Chevy.

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  Very Disappointed - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By C Boehlke - December 16 - 10:00 am

  Bought my Malibu after 7yrs with a Cavalier. Thought that I would have the same wonderful, reliable car as with the Cavalier. Unfortunately, I have many mechanical problems with this car. Brakes!! were replaced, gear problem-- transmission work, A/C fan unit replaced, difficulty changing the A/C (or heat) from floor to defrost and everything in between. Beware to anyone buying a used one..it may have been someone elses problem.

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  Awesome car. - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By boyracer - December 16 - 10:00 am

  This car has had zero defects. It exceeds my highest expectations. It handles well, interior ergonomics (except seating position-Im 62") are right where they should be. Im happy with fuel economy and tightness of vehicle. This car is a winner.

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  Impala - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Keith Hunter - December 16 - 10:00 am

  This is an all-around competent, comforatble and fun to drive vehicle. I love the sporty, conserative look and feel of this car. Power everything, spacious interior and torquey engine is a thrill. Huge on inside, mid-size on outside makes city or highway travel fun and comfortable in all american style!

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  Good Value - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By watsonk - December 16 - 8:03 am

  I have been driving this new 2008 Impala LS for one week. There are a lot of improvements over my old 2001 Impala; mainly in the computer area, not mechanically. Overall, this car has good value. The LS has power window, lock, seat, and steering; cruise control; keyless entry and trunk release; OnStar; and XM radio. All these in the low end LS model! I just hope that the lower intake manifold gasket will last longer this time. Try to make a spare key (to open driver side door) in Home Depot, no luck! Home Depot does not carry this new style of keys.