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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  I love my SS - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By nmartinez - January 27 - 4:27 pm

  I bought my 06 Chevy Malibu SS last year. It had 21K mi on it and came from Louisiana. Ive had it for exactly 1 year now, it has 40K mi on it and runs perfectly. Ive never had a problem with this car. The only fluid I had to refill was Anti-freeze and I did that at 30K mi. So no big. The car has yet to disappoint me. This is my first Chevy, and it performs excellent in all the elements. Which is a plus, because Missouri weather is always unpredictable. The only thing I wish it could do better on is gas mileage. I get around 19-22 city and 26-28 hwy. But...it has a 3.9 L engine so Im happy with what I get.

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  My new Ol Reliable - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Vetmom - January 27 - 1:53 pm

  I bought this car as a demo model. I am the original owner and have had all the recommended maintenance done on it. This car still gets me 27MPG around town and almost 30 MPG on the interstate. I am 510" and I can set the driver seat where I want it, sit in the back seat and still have plenty of room.

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  My Red Sexxy SS - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By LadySmack - January 27 - 10:00 am

  It turns on a dime, and is very sporty...I have loved driving it for a while now, and the new still hasnt wore off in 1 year...my father has a 2000, and he told me he still loves to drive his....

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  Avalanche does it all - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By aarchonx - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Smooth comfortable ride, stylish interior and exterior, powerful V8. I couldnt ask for more. I used to drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but was frustrated whenever I wanted to haul something tall, long, or wide. No longer a problem.

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  Suburban Review - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By dstanley - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I like it and it fits my budget,lifestyle, and garage while still being stylish and not fitting into the minivan mold.

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  Fun City - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By JBWoods - January 27 - 10:00 am

  My VETTE Roadster (Convertible) is the most fun vehicle I have ever owned. Performance is true sports car and mileage is amazingly good at 20 miles per gallon. The Millenium Yellow color is a head turner for sure...

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  Best I ever bought - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Happydude - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I have owned over 8 cars in the last 10 years. I traded in my 99 Ford Ex XLT SUV for this truck and have been very happy with it. The ride is super nice, no bumps or engine nosie, unlike on my Ford. Plus it shifts smooth while towing at high speeds, unlike my Ford. Plus has lots of power to get moving in traffic.

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  Monte Family - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Patti Baughman - January 27 - 8:00 am

  I love this car. It is my first brand new vehicle and it is great. It rides well, its comfortable to drive. The styling is good. I did not like the looks of the 06 so we got an 05. This car is very driver oriented. Plenty of room inside for passengers. We are now proud owners of 1970, 1998, and 2005 Monte Carlos.

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  A sweet ride - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By blueturtle - January 27 - 3:52 am

  Victory Red HHR SS turbo. Excellent performance. Very comfortable inside, high bolstered sport seats, electric adjustable seats, are excellent for me and I am 61". Plenty of head room,leg room. Inside has a comfy-cozy feel, but not cramped. Nice ride and the 18" wheels help that cause. Very smooth on the highway. Have to get use to this 260 horse. Doing 80 on highway without realizing. ou do not feel the speed in this car. Very quiet. Loaded. Got it all on this SS. Have 900 miles in 2 months, and so far having fun and love it. No reliability issues yet (holding my breath on the brake issue plaguing this car).

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  Looking Good! - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bill B - January 26 - 12:26 pm

  Bought vehicle 11/08. Was a rental car so a few nicks in the body but in great shape. Great car, good gas mileage. Averaged about 24 mpg on only long distance trip I have taken so far. Great comfort and XM radio is a great bargain. Havent listened to AM-FM radio yet. Smooth ride. Heated seats are a big plus. Fantastic pick up and it turns a lot of heads with I drive in to the store or church. V8 sounds tough and kicks it when you step on the gas! Couldnt be happier with the purchase. Chevy hit a homer with this one.