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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  We love this car! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Sam - March 5 - 5:03 am

  While driving my "spring edition" victory red HHR with special body striping and highly polished wheels I get so many looks from people that I pass. It is so fun to drive that my wife and I fight over who will drive it to work, or just on leisure drives.

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  Piston Slap a real bummer - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By DaveD - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Have owned only Chevy trucks since 1972. This is the last one. Truck was great until it lost the oil pump at about 20,000 miles. No big deal there. At 25,000 it started to knock when it was first started up. Actual problem is the infamous piston slap problem. Dealer (Sir Walter Chevy in Raleigh) wouldnt even look at it. They gave me TSB #01-06-01-028 that basically said it wasnt a problem and sent me on my way. Now at 29,000 miles it lasts for 5 minutes on startup. Had to search the internet to find out there was a extended warranty on the motor for free. Meanwhile no one will buy the piece of junk from me because of the problem. Its Dodge hemi time.

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  My SuperSport - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By SummerSS - March 4 - 10:00 am

  The Monte Carlo is a good deal for the money. I like the spacious interior. I am going to college next year and the large amount of space is a big plus! I own a SS with the high sport appearance package and it is wonderful! Not only does it look great, but it drives great too! My only problem has been the motor in my passenger side window going out.

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  Love This Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By daltam69 - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I opted for the 4.8L V8 - wanted the 5.3 but cost $1400 more. Very happy with the smoothness and delivery of the 275 HP from this motor - has more than enough oomph! for what I use it for (hauling people/stuff to and from games/home depot, occasional towing) and Im getting better gas mileage than my 3.0L V6 95 4Runner got. Excellent comfort/room for six. All smiles, no complaints yet.

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  Going to Toyota - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Matt - March 4 - 8:06 am

  74,000 kms and the transmission wont shift gears. I dont tow, I do not beat on it, I take very good care of it and this is how I am repaid. GM needs to put alot more thought into building a reliable truck. My last 2002 silverado was just as big a lemon. And to think I would give Chevy one more chance. I cant wait to see how much this one is going to cost; Im sure GM will try to get out of the so called warranty.

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  I love my 99 Blazer - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Reyn - March 4 - 6:37 am

  This is the most reliable car that I ever owened since 1967.

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  I love this car! - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By 1 HOT MONTE CARLO SS - March 3 - 7:50 pm

  I got an 01 Monte Carlo and have the best time driving it! Love the room and power. Much has improved since the 90s that I had. I would keep buying this car as long as it keeps on giving me good service. And for those other guys who say that their Monte Carlo is junk then they must be doing something wrong! Because funny thing i have naver had any trouble with my cars like that.

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  Nice car! - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By nissianjeff - March 3 - 3:10 pm

  Looks good, inside and out. Love the light Gold color! Stereo sounds great! Comfy ride, in town or on Freeway. I did however have an issue with the headlights not working at night, while the day running lights DID still work. It needed a new multi function switch. Rather pricy part! The read tail light lens are getting full of hair line cracks in em too. That dont look to good, will have to replce soon I recon? Good milage! Friends all like it too. Good cold duel control AC, nice! Power everything! The fuel gage now is acting a lil squirlly. Dont always read right. Im being told it may need a whole new instrument cluster. Also told, thats NOT cheap either! All in all though, love this car!

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  More car for the money - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Todd Holcomb - March 2 - 1:20 pm

  I bought my wife a 2009 Camry XLE in the fall and wanted to buy myself something different when our van died. I test drove the Accord, Altima, and Malibu. The Malibu was the quietest and smoothest ride of the three. Also, when it came down to price I felt like I got more car for my money. I bought the 2LT model.

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  LTZ ROCKS! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By edburck - March 2 - 11:16 am

  I LOVE my Chevy TrailBLazer LTZ.