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:

• 

  2003 Silverado - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chevy Owner - December 20 - 4:23 am

  Bought this truck used with 83000 miles on it in May of 2008. Now has 100k and no major problems. The speedometer is a little flaky, it sometimes get stuck in one spot but will eventually correct itself- not a big problem but a minor annoyance, from what I hear this is fairly common for this model. 5.3L V8 is great, plenty of power and mpgs arent too bad for a truck, 16 hwy. Seats are very comfortable which is nice on long trips. I tow a 22 boat with ease, you can hardly feel it back there. Overall I am very satisfied with this truck and I plan on driving it until it wont drive anymore which will be a very long time. Great job Chevy

• 

  Lots to like about the Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Anthony - December 19 - 6:43 am

  This is the first American vehicle that Ive purchased. So far everything is working fine. I really liked the new body design and the vehicle is really comfortable. The vehicle drives smaller than it looks. I was amazed at how easy it is to park. Gas mileage is averaging at 15.5mpg around town.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.