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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  Best ever owned - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bob - July 22 - 9:23 am

  I purchased a Aveo 3 months ago was so impressed I decided to buy my wife a Malibu. Talk about being surprised. This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. Im 51 and have owned many. Fit and finish are as good as any Lexus and Toyota, Honda. Let me say this the ride is wonderful. The interior is just the best. The four banger is more than enough power for me. Handling is great. Ten in my book.

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  I love my car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Lovelyone - July 21 - 5:26 pm

  The gas mileage is terrible compared to my prior Chevrolet Cavalier, but thats what i get for upgrading to a V6. All in all, the car is outstanding. Everyone, including myself, loves it.

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  Best Truck I have ever owned - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mvcoburn - July 21 - 8:46 am

  This is the first brand new truck I have ever owned. My previous vehicle was a 2006 Dakota and this was a huge jump up. I picked the Chevrolet because I am a firm believer in their product and paid attention to all of the high ratings from various reports. The truck sits well and is very comfortable. I love the leather seats and the cabin is extremely quite. It rides very smooth and shifts well. The backseat offers a lot of space. I have two small kids and they have no problems with room.

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  FIRST GM CAR IN 40+ YEARS - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MIKE & NANCY - July 21 - 3:36 am

  We bought the Equinox in a hurry under the "clunker" deadline with limited available info (except it was much better than previous model). I was impressed with all the high tech features mostly aimed at improving mileage and safety) with a price in the lower end of the 20s. my wife was impressed the its eerie quietness. Seating is exceptionally commodious, comfortable and versatile. Id say better value than the Japanese competition, Lets see if GM reliability and service is improved along with the product design.

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  WORTHLESS - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By jferri6 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I have been intimately involved with automobiles for over 20 years and have never owned a vehicle that was as worthless as this one. it is my experience that there is 20%markup in ANY vehicle and over the first year it depreciates 20% so with this in mind my $25000 impala can be bought for 20K and would be worth approx 16k after the first year, well what a surprise it was to me to learn that this vehicle was only worth 12 grand at best after only the first year????? please dont be a fool like me , save your misery , or steal it.

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  good SUV - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By leaseisover - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Overall, I have enjoyed this vehicle. (At 45k now). Have owned 3 prior cars. 1st SUV, 1st lease. Comfortable seating, good ride for SUV. Good view up front, some blindspot problems in rear as 2 door version. Hit from pass. side ($12,000 of damage)-walked away no problem (dont know about front crash test firsthand, though). Only problems: O2 sensor on day 1 - dealership took care of rapidly, new alternator - but this was from accident (cracked), battery, and lumbar support on both sides.

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  The Cavalier (2003) - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By K.B. - July 21 - 2:00 am

  *One of my friends recently bought a new Cavalier and found out that it had a big makeover. She got inside and said, "This is the car for me!" It drives fast, but not too fast. It looks sporty, but its personality is for city streets. The car is fun to drive and could use a few more features and a new interior design.

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  Moms tow rig - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Steve Vaughan - July 21 - 2:00 am

  We have owned this truck 48 months with a few issues rattling doors, rough ride, ABS box $325.00 the sticking pedal was repaired under warrenty(3rd time). my wife tows a 3 horse trailer 6900 # net and she is pleased I added helper springs to keep the rear end from sagging during towing 2wd no Z71 pkg. would buy this truck again... I like the performance this thing hauls- ___!

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  Great Road Car - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By wyocolo - July 20 - 1:43 pm

  Ive put 18k miles on my Monte in seven months and it has been the best car Ive owned. I bought it because I needed good gas mileage and after all the incentives and rebates last summer, loaded it was cheaper than a fairly stripped Civic. Every day I drive 70 miles round trip and I average 28MPG which I think is great considering I live at 9300 altitude and work at 5000 so its either going up hill in passing gear or down all the time. I have had no problems or repairs and its a very comfortable car to drive. If your concerned about its ability to handle snow and ice, get the traction control option and as long as the front end doesnt start plowing snow you will be fine.

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  Awesome Truck! - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By eviroman - July 20 - 5:50 am

  Being in government services and having to travel all over Texas, Ive driven many trucks. Ive driven Ford king ranch, Lariat, Dodge. The two fords and Dodges had horrible gas mileage as well as ride and reliability. This is my first Chevy and Im very impressed with the ride and quality of this Truck. I would like to inform you that I own an environmental company that does very well, Im nowhere near cheap and being in my vehicle long periods of time so owning the top of the line in trucks is a must for me. A-Z about this truck is awesome!!! I towed what I thought to be 5k pound trailer only to later find out it weighed 9k pound and not even noticing it.