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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  Second thoughts - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By MMasters - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I thought I had fallen in love - it turned out to only be infatuation. The troubles Ive had with rattles and loose trim pieces falling off makes me question the long term reliability of this vehicle.

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  Love this SUV - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Madelectrical - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this vechicle and its great. Its a mini-van on steroids (interior size for seven people). I drove it at night with my daughter in the back(3rd seat)reading a book (light on), son listening to music (headphones) 2nd seat and my youngest daughter in the carrier. My wife was reading the truck manual. Everybody could do there thing with the lights on. The lights in the cab didnt bother me at all. Perfect. Now Im ready for our trip to Florida this spring. Great Job GM!!!!

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  Duramax - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Rodney - June 2 - 1:33 pm

  I have very much enjoyed my truck. It has been great in the snow and driving in the mountains of the western U.S. It had no trouble pulling a 27 foot trailer through the mountains of Wyoming. Good brakes and good handling. My wife fights with me over who gets to drive it.

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  Monte SS - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By NEONAL - June 2 - 1:06 am

  Have only had car six weeks but thoroughly enjoy it. Very smooth acceleration and comfortable ride! Gas mileage not great, but power is good!

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  A real looker - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Georgetown, ON - June 2 - 12:36 am

  I have had my Sunburst Orange HHR for 7 months now. It sure gets a lot of looks. The pickup is great and it handles well 3 seasons of the year. I have 3 complaints though. It does not handle very well in the snow. (important feature up here in Canada) The cupholders and electric window buttons are awkward to reach. Other than that I absolutely love this car.

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  Might Maxx - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By michael j. mcdonough - June 1 - 8:16 am

  My Malibu Maxx has proven to be a real surprise by its versitility and gas mileage. Adding space by using the shelves and seats as needed, it has the capacity of much older station wagons with great gas mileage. The sunroof and control features make driving fun. Its V-6 has plenty of power because of its low weight.

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  Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Jeff - May 31 - 4:43 pm

  This is the 2nd current generation Monte Carlo Ive had. So far this car is great, plenty of comfort features, more than enough power and acceleration, great handling.

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  Love our 2017 Malibu LT - 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Howard Harris - May 31 - 10:54 am

  Great price for a great car.

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  Chevy Silverado 2500! - 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By william_f - May 31 - 9:18 am

  This was my first Chevy buy, and it is a blast. I will never go back to a Ford again. The Silverado is very reliable, and easy to drive. I bought it about a month ago and it has had absolutely no problems. It is a must buy if you need a new car.

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  Impala SS - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By James Showers - May 31 - 7:43 am

  I am very impressed. Have found nothing wrong with the car. I have owned 7 Corvettes. This is my wifes car and it impresses me with the Vette like performance prior to 1997. We bought an Impala LS in 2000, but this one puts it to shame. I look forward to driving it when my wife lets me. Chevrolet has outdone itself and has a winner here. I love the polished aluminum wheels and the exhaust rumble. Fantastic automobile!