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:

• 

  Best Truck Ive Owned - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bruce B. - July 26 - 12:13 pm

  Ive owned a few Ford trucks and one Dodge truck. The ride of those doesnt compare to the smoothnest of the Chevy Silverado crew cab. Smooth ride, roomy interior. Nothing rattles or squeaks. Its just a very well put together truck.

• 

  Vibrating transmission - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By George - July 26 - 12:12 pm

  This truck started out with a shifting vibration at different shifting points. Brought to dealer and told it was learning how I drive. This with a load clonking sound when in reverse also told that was a coupling and nothing to do about. Now at 27K and truck is noisier than ever,told dealer truck has A.D.D. Would not buy another GM

• 

  Solid Car But Slippery When Wet - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Art - July 26 - 5:23 am

  I have enjoyed my Malibu LS for a few reasons, starting with the gas mileage. I usually get around 26 mpg for a 400-mile trip. Acceleration is great. The engine is strong and smooth. Air and heat work well. Steering is great and cargo room is fine. The back seats are incredibly spacious, even though I sit quite a ways back in the driver seat. Rear moonroofs are fun, although the sliding screen easily snaps on people. My biggest complaint, and one that should be noted for anyone switching from SUV to wagon due to gas mileage, is that the Maxxs traction control is worth nothing, literally. My wifes Corolla does better in rain or snow. It was by far the biggest disappointment.

• 

  boss bob - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By boss bob - July 25 - 10:00 am

  fun to drive a lot of little things like the floor mat holder try one @ you will like it plus it has cig lighter @ ash tray

• 

  Weak but nice. - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By New user - July 25 - 10:00 am

  The Aveo has slow accelation forcing you to punch it to accelerate into traffic. The fit and finish is good for a low end vehicle. The vehicle is very good in cramped spaces.

• 

  Big bang for the buck - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By IPSGRP - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Nice HP, Impressive equipment, fun to drive.

• 

  Under rated new car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Murfmor - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I have seen only a few reviews of this new Malibu Maxx and none do justice to the car. The car is fun to drive. Very responsive,well designed and perfectly detailed. It is a very roomy car inside and the wheel base at 113.6" is longer then my Buick Park Ave. The electric steering ,rather than hydraulic steering assist gives me good road feel and the four wheel anti-lock disk brakes give a sure straight stop. I am getting 24 mpg local driving and 34 mpg on mountain trips at high speeds. With some Chevy discounts and including sales tax I paid $19700 for this car and clearly am very pleased

• 

  One problem - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Frjohn - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I like the car but the power steering was a great problem. The steering wheel would move on its own (pulsating) and locked up on two occasions. The entire steering column had to be replaced. I was very disappointed in getting the car fixed. parts were not available and it took 10 days to get the car out of the service department. Pretty good car -- terrible service makes for an unhappy owner.

• 

  MAXX - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jackqaone - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I drive the malibu MAXX LT, a well constructed and appointed car..lots of room, mileage is good ( better than my Honda), and the power is more than adequate...the car is one of GMs gems and should set the standard for midsize sedans with a hatchback all at a cost far below the Japanese cars.

• 

  My Truck Sucks - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Ralph Jones - July 25 - 10:00 am

  The locking Rear end on these trucks are not what they could be. Mine, Hops an skips An has locked slam up on me at less than 12,000 miles with an easy break-in period. Agreat Truck, with second rate Quality. I think Ill give Ford a try on my next new truck.