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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  Love my Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Wendy - February 4 - 6:40 am

  This was my 1st bought new truck & I love it. I live in the country so the 4x4 gets used due to snow & mud and it has always worked like a charm. This is my everyday going to work, pulling stock trailer & my going on vacation vechicle all in one & it does it all. Other then routine oil changes Ive never had to put any repair work into it. Only thing that ever happened was the overhead console came loose & I had to tighten the screw that held it. I love this truck & sorry dealerships, but Im not going to be getting another for years probably even decades cause this is the one for me & is built to last. It still looks brand new inside & out. This is my go there go anywhere reliable truck

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  3rd Corvette, the best one yet - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Isgt - February 3 - 10:31 pm

  I have always had a love affair with the Corvette. My 2002 was an computer nightmare, lots of electronics problems. I then moved up to a 2006, much improved but I had some quality issues. 3500 miles on my 2009. It is so much better than my 2006. I now can say this car has improved and perfected. I am impressed with how quiet and tight just a real solid car. 100% the most bang for the buck. 430 hp for $43,000 I win.

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  Good Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By PMWoods - February 3 - 9:54 pm

  I bought this truck new in 2004. I have had no real issues with it. One of the seat knobs broke (my fault) and it was recalled a couple of times, but I have had no electrical problems or engine problems. Some of the people on here amaze me - I mean, what do they want? Not a single manufacturer makes a vehicle that doesnt break. People seem to think that Toyotas are better because it says Toyota on it. Well, Toyota didnt stand behind the engine in my Tundra when it went bad. This Colorado has been the best truck Ive owned.

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  05 Impala (best decision I ever made!) - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Nickalas - February 2 - 4:56 pm

  I have the top of the line SS Impala and I was suprised that the supercharged engine got such great fuel economy. And it has a little kick to it when you step on the accellerator.

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  Incredible value, fun, and built strong - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bryan - February 2 - 3:13 pm

  I am thrilled with my Malibu LT. I got bored easily with Accord, Toyotas, Jetta, etc. Malibu is an excellent traveling car - rides securely, corners great no bobble-head ride like in the 2009 Corolla XLE (same price!). It is quiet, with an excellent stereo (you can enjoy dance music) and cold A/C - not like the weak A/C on many cars. When I needed to tow a U-Haul, I bought a hitch and wiring for my Malibu - its a secure and stable tower. That is because Malibu is a stout, well-engineered vehicle that has the extra braking strength, and suspension capability built-in. The interior looks more expensive than it is - same outside. I couldnt find a better sedan for the money. Pittsburgh won the 2009 Super Bowl - could they be better? The Malibu is a seriously great car. My family and friends like it too - even though they drive Nissan Altima, 3 series BMW, and Cadillac CTS. Did I mention the fuel mileage is good? Hint: Premium perks it up if youre in the mood.

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  LOVE THIS CAR !! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By queenbee - February 2 - 1:10 pm

  Well driving this car is a blast! I get looks and looks no matter where I go people have followed me just to see it Ive had construction men wave me down to stop just to ask me what it was since I was the first in town to own one ~!

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  Great Tow Vehicle! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Hobojack - February 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck to pull my 31 Airstream travel trailer. Put 10,000 miles on it from February-April this year. This vehicle is awesome! Does a GREAT job. VERY comfortable. I got ALL the options I think.

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  Great Driving Car - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Hobojack - February 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car and did not expect it to be this much fun to drive. It is an LS model with antilock brakes and the "Traction" feature. I test drove it on a very rainy day and tried to make it skid. I couldnt do it. Thats a big reason I bought it. And, here I was just buying a 2nd car so I wouldnt put extra miles on my 3/4 ton 4X4 Chevy Avalanche.

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  Great car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By brnwrng - February 2 - 9:55 am

  I replaced my 05 Cavalier for an 05 Cobalt after the Cavalier was wrecked in a car accident. The Cobalt is everything the Cavalier was and more. It has great fuel mileage and has more power. The interior is a great upgrade from the Cavalier.

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  Great car, no problems - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By brnwrng - February 2 - 9:49 am

  I have had no problems to date with the car and it gets great gas mileage. I wish I had the 5 speed version but the auto was still good. The car is responsive and handles great.