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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  My 4th Malibu - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Irene - April 18 - 3:46 am

  I have been driving Malibus for a long time. This has been the nicest one I ever got. I traded in my 2004 Malibu and got a good trade in value for that car too. This car rides so smooth and you have plenty of pick up for a 4 cylindar car. My last one was 6 and I can barley tell the difference in the pick up. The gas milage is much better too. I love the XM radio and the OnStar which I did not have before. The controls for the radio on the steering wheel are nice and the hands free phone service. My car seat fits well in the back and leaves plenty of room for two more people to sit. The trunk holds a lot and is easy to load. I love my new Malibu

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  My Dream Car - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By M. Biagini - April 18 - 1:34 am

  Got this as a Christmas gift Dec. 07. We are a Corvette family, with my mom owning a 82 and also a 2005. After driving both of those I was ecstatic to get in my 08 for the first drive. This thing handles like nobodys business, so smooth and responsive. I love all the little gadget-y stuff (like the OnStar, GPS, heated seats are fab. in the cold NY winters). The push button start took some getting used to, I prefer to turn a key myself. Also, getting in and out was a comedy of errors until I figured out how its supposed to be done. My only real complaint was an extremely squeaky roof. Every time I hit a bump, squeak, squeak. Dealer fixed it no problem. This car is amazingly sharp!

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  Amazed by a GM - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By pooder - April 17 - 3:40 am

  I purchased this vehicle strictly for comfort as I am 6 tall. I found it to have the most creature comforts for the money, and, its just plain old fun to drive.

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  Handles well in accident - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jeckmoore - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I loved my car. I owned it for 4 days before I got into an accident. It handled very well in the accident and onstar called right away. This is truly a beautiful car. I also considered a Mazada6 but I felt the Malibu felt more sturdy. I hope it will be the same when I get it back.

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  love my new Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By car brother - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I have the car just over 24 hour and I am having such a good time with it. Ive recently owned Saab 9-5. Volvo 850 and we currently have a Jag X-type. The Malibu holds its own very well against these cars. The fit and finish is very good.

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  Good family 4-door sedan - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By memann - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The new 2004 Bu has excellent steering (electronic assist), lots of room, convenient dash instrumentation, and the remote start feature kicks &ss! It isnt a "flashy" car, but Im sure some aftermarket products can spice it up, if thats your thing. I recently sold a 02 Honda Accord and can say that I prefer the handling of the Malibu. However, Honda has a lot more interior style. The ONLY knock I have on the 04 Malibu is luxury. There is limited luxury. But for me, a family sedan is what I needed, and wanted. Great work - take one for a spin!

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  2 DOOR REG.CAB 5.3 WT,I PICK IT UP MON. - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By WAYDO71 - April 17 - 2:00 am

  THE DEALER LET ME BRING IT HOME OVERNITE,AND I LOVED IT,HAD TAKE SOME ABUSE FROM MY WIFE SENCE WE HAD A NISSAN TRUCK THAT WAS ONLY 6MOS OLD.TOOK A BIG LOST BUT I THINK WE WILL BE HAPPIER WITH THE CHVEY [I HOPE ].

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  Great Used Car! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ronny - April 16 - 7:47 pm

  I have had this car for 4 months and love it. The body styling and wheels, along with tinted windows, give it a sporty look that I appreciate. The ride is smooth, quiet, and the engine cruises at 70 without thinking. Watch your speed as you have plenty of power with the 6 cylinder. Heated leather seats are worth the money. Get them! Averaging 24 mpg on urban commute (40 miles round trip). Sound system is only downside as it sounds like a stock radio, while rest of car says "premium." Small antenna also often cant keep weak FM signals. Have also noticed transmission hesitates for split second if step on it to merge. Takes getting used to, but then you are traveling 70 mph.

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  Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dale - April 15 - 6:48 pm

  I love my impala. Ride is great. Very quiet. Excellent gas mileage. Going to Boston on time kept a steady speed of 62, and very light on gas and averaged 39 miles to the gallon. Average back and forth to work, which is 40% city 60% highway average 25.2 my daughter cobalt only averages 27.5 in same type of driving.

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  Almost Perfect Tow Vehicle - 2009 Chevrolet Suburban
  By TJ in CT - April 15 - 12:28 pm

  Traded my 2004 3/4 Ton in. The new hitch Platform is appx. 3" higher than the old one, so the trailer tongue and hitch needed to be adjusted. The engine Combo with the 6 speed Transmisson pulls my 24 10tall Wells Cargo trailer very well. Weight 3000 lbs empty and 8500 lbs with my Pierce or Bentley loaded. 2400 miles so far and 350 towing. In Tow Mode with a full load the transmission will down shift to hold the load back when needed. It shifted down to 2nd gear at 35mph. The tach popped to 4500rpm. but did in fact help slow the vehicle. I achieved 9.0MPG towing on highways and back roads on pretty agressive hills and valleys. w/o trailer I got 20 MPG on pure highway driving.