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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  Runnin Strong at 46k - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By jarett - December 26 - 12:40 am

  I bought this car for 13,000 with 25,000 miles on it. Body perfect, interior perfect. As soon as I bought the car I changed the trannsmission fluid and out and put in synthetic. Flushed out the dex-cool anti-freeze because it is notrieous for gunking up and put in synthetic. I havent had a problem yet. Its very responsive, I installed a KN cold air intake and only run it with 93 octane. This model has the 3.8 l 3800 which is Chevys most reliable engine ever made, a little bit of care will go a long way.

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  Best money ever spent - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By George Ware - December 24 - 9:17 pm

  I owned a 1984 and a 1986 Z51 C4. I liked the C5 but didnt have the money. When I picked up my black on black 3LT C6 the smile stuck to my face. and now I have high blood pressure when ever you push the start button 8^). I love this car... and after a year & 8k miles it keeps getting better!

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  Fun Has Returned - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Willie - December 24 - 7:03 pm

  I needed a daily commuter vehicle to replace my aged truck. I also needed better gas mileage. I am very comfortable in my HHR and the gas mileage is excellent! The takeoff is lacking but the car can keep up with traffic on the 4-lane. I owned a Fiero and found it a joy to drive. The joy HAS returned!!

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  1st Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By sask - December 24 - 3:40 pm

  Bought the truck to haul a lightweight trailer in the summer and get around town in the cold winter months So far no problems truck hauls well, drove to Texas last winter with 50 below weather with no problem Gas mileage better than the van we had before - cruising at 110Km we get 32 miles to the gallon Installed a cap on the back to keep items dry

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  Is excelent for that price - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By dreicom - December 24 - 5:05 am

  I bought LS model, but it has a 3.6L 6cyl motor and 17" wheels. It has good fuel economy (29-32 mil/gal) I like the interior design and the car is so quite inside and it has a great sound system. Some people told me the Malibu looks like an Acura, but you dont have to pay too much for the Malibu.

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  2008 LTZ 6 cyl Malibu - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Lisa - December 23 - 7:44 pm

  I Traded in 2004 Equinox for my Ltz Malibu this car is fast, fun and a big looker. I have white with brown/ tan nice combo, Seats are great fitting like a race car, driving in corners amazing on the grip. Not too good in snow unless you drive with manual. If I lived in a very snowy area I may have not purchased. But New England snow not too bad. Overall I love this car. It feels sturdy and safe and thats very imprtant

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  Favorite ride ever! - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jtown_av_fan - December 23 - 6:21 pm

  I owned a 2002 and traded it for an 07 Tundra. Big mistake! The ride quality and interior comfort cant compare! My 08 LTZ is awesome! Extremely comfortable! The remote start gets the truck just right before you climb in. I love that it has everything! Back-up camera is too cool! Averaging 17MPG overall which is 2 MPG better than my 02. I have averaged over 20 on highway trips! Bedmat keeps cargo where you put it, but makes some things hard to load/unload. Tows like a dream! 5.3 has plenty of what you need in a truck...power!

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  Fun Car to Drive - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Rox - December 23 - 6:19 pm

  Averaging 28mpg with mixed highway and city driving. Sound system good, rides nice, my son loves it. He cant wait to drive it and hes 12. Only issue is the tire pressure monitor comes on when temps go below 20 degrees (gotta love New England)

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  The Grocery-Getter From Hell - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By MuzzledRooster - December 23 - 4:08 pm

  Vehicle choices for those of us with multiple children are limited. We have 5 kids and wanted something that offered more room, comfort, and power than our minivan. Due to the $4/gallon gas prices in July 08 folks were dumping their SUVs like hot cakes. Ours was originally stickered just shy of $50k, but I got it for $15k. What a deal! Our Burb decked out: moon roof, leather heated memory seats, heated mirrors, XM 6 disc changer, 17" wheels, rear DVD, you name it! It drives like no other truck Ive ever driven and is super comfortable. This is technically my wifes vehicle but I find excuses to drive it. We love it and will buy another when this one is worn out.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jeff - December 23 - 11:24 am

  Had excellent service from this vehicle very comfortable, reliable, have spent very little for maintenance other than normal routine