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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  Great car - 2014 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ray Bernas - November 15 - 10:28 pm

  Great styling. Good performance and fuel economy. Very comfortable. Very satisfied with it.

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  My Miracle Camaro - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Scott Fant - November 15 - 3:41 pm

  I bought by 2011 Camaro 5 years ago - V6, Automatic, Leather, RS Package - its been an amazing car. The original tires lasted 70,000 miles! Im at 136,000 and still on the original brake pads. Minimal maintenance and FUN to drive!!!

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  Great Impala - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By joey s impala - November 15 - 11:00 am

  I bought this Impala LT1 in July 06. It now has 8600 miles and still never went to the dealer for even a minor ajustment or anything. I get 25-26mpg with AC but 33 with AC off. Great gas mileage with like a full size car and great value with the rebates and 5%rebates on the GM card. it was cheap. Mine is white with grey cloth buckets with a rare Bose option and XM radio, flip fold rear seats. Just perfect. Try it, you will like it.

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  1997 Chevy Malibu LS-V6 - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Anthony - November 14 - 10:08 pm

  I bought this car in 2002 with 90,000 miles. It now has 171,000 and I only had to replace 3 parts, altenator, water pump, and thermostat. They were really cheaps parts and Ive never had to replace anything else besides tires and brakes. Its a really good car and I recommend it to anyone. Ive added a cold air intake for a few extra horses and it shows

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  If only it got better mileage - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By True Blue - November 14 - 3:36 pm

  The only thing I can say against the TrailBlazer is that the gas mileaage averages around 15-16 mpg. I like my TrailBlazer better than any other vehicle I have owned, and it is perfect for driving in Wisconsin Winters. I feel it is a mucher safer vehicle for my family than any mid-size sedan or smaller SUV.

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  2006 Z51 Corvette coupe AT - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By hunter - November 14 - 2:36 pm

  My driving and ownership experience has lived up to what I thought it would be! All i can say is wow this car is a monster.

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  This is a great car. - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By mesanders - November 14 - 1:22 pm

  I have owned GM since I started driving. My last car was a 1991 Chevy Lumina Euro 2 Dr with a 3.1. Had to retire her after 290000 miles. Other than normal maintenance, oil change every 3 months, trans oil every 24 months with filter, the car still runs great and the new owner still gets 24 mpg with a heavy foot sometimes, just broke 300000 miles. This 05 Impala is a great car 28 mpg average 3.8 k motor 4spd OD trans LS option. Cant ask for more at this price. GM Certified Used Car, 5 year 10000 mile powetrain coverage from the original in service date with 12 months new car warranty coverage from the date of the used car purchase. I am looking towards another 300,000 miles.

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  SS is a great car! - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Mark s. - November 14 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my 2002 SS for 16 months and have really enjoyed the car. Chevrolet did a great job designing this very distintive car that it not like many others. The ride is great and all controls are easy to use. The handling is great and the V6 feels like a V8. Long trips are a breeze with the very comfortable leather bucket seats.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Dss21 - November 14 - 2:00 am

  This is an awesome SUV. Very fun to drive and tons of power. The gas mileage is ok average of 15mpg. I had to have the vehickle serviced at 120 miles for the pass lock security system went out and I was unable to start the car. had that fixed and hasnt been a problem since.

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  Buy one can"t go wrong! - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Sweet Ride - November 13 - 10:32 pm

  This truck has been an outstanding truck to drive. I have the ZR5 which has a very sporty look. Its performed great for me. So good that this is my first time ever writing a review. Its very economical, comfortable, stylish, and convenient. I highly recommend it!