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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  North Carolina LTZ 2008 Update 11/2008 - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By avyowner - November 13 - 5:40 pm

  Well, it has been about a year since I bought this vehicle. I have even nicer things to say than when I had just acquired it. This is a very dependable, comfortable, powerful, luxurious SUV that also is a truck. And, you can write the whole thing off on your taxes because it is over 6,000 pounds and it is technically a truck! Buy American and feel good about it! Less costly than Toyota or others out there. Chevy will deal! I got the extended warranty but dont think Ill need to use it much this is a very reliable vehicle.

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  So far, exceptional value - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jake - November 13 - 1:38 pm

  I also bought "Go"balt during the GM employee price period. Nice incentive to get what turns out to be just about everything I hoped for, even the color I wanted - yellow. Great handling. Only 1600 miles but getting 27.2 mpg last check. Work ride between 40-50 mph at 60 miles each day. Wouldve liked hatchback. Rear deck just in the way & to hold speakers. Rear spoiler can block vision. Im 6-1"+ & seat is comfortable but I must cock my knees just so on entry. Interior a little chintzy but hey, its a commuter car with go-power. The refig display is different. I have trouble reading it in the variety of color combos it offers. Currently getting dealer installed cat- back system. A kid at 58!

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  Like riding a wild bear - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Randude - November 12 - 11:38 pm

  It is a privilage and pleasure to own and drive a 2008 "Crystal Red" 427 special edition Z06 Corvette. I thought seriously about buying a Nissan GTR, but after seeing the GTR in person, I felt it remined me of a fancy Nissan Altima with new fenders. The engine sounded tame and boring. It just didnt excite me much. In contrast, just standing near the Z06 Corvete and looking at it, makes your heart race. I fell in love with this sexy beast from the moment it rumbled to life with a push of the button. The car looks twice in good in person as it does in pictures and sounds beautiful. Its incredibly fun to drive, and I have to beat the girls away from it. I absolutly love it.

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  Really Nice Car - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JonW - November 12 - 10:26 pm

  I really wanted to own a car that was a practical family sedan but had the look and feel of something more. This car is fun to drive. It is quiet, comfortable and feels so solid. We have the LTZ V6 and it really doesnt lack any power.This car replaced a Chrysler 300M and I really dont notice a drop in quickness and power. I do notice this car handles very well and if you are not careful you will be speeding constantly. You really dont notice the road noise or engine rev. This car is really loaded with options for the price.

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  New Camaro Rocks - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By ilovemusic56 - November 12 - 8:36 pm

  This is one rockin ride. It turns heads and it is a rush to drive. Just wish the car would have been out earlier so the poor saps who bought Mustangs could know what driving a real muscle car is like. Its everything a sports car enthusiast could want. We thought about checking out the new Challenger but after seeing the Camaro no question which car we wanted. Chevy hit it right on.

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  They got it right! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Gary B - November 12 - 1:12 pm

  My first "new" car ever! Im 50 years old and Ive always owned trucks, but I was stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the redesigned Malibu. I am without doubt completely impressed. Solid, functional and very beautifully designed. The V-6 is smooth with plently of torque and I like the throaty sound of the V-6. The 6-speed tranny is fantastic. The ride is quiet and the road manners are excellent. The interior is beautiful. I have the black interior with the faux wood trim and its everything and more. I find the fit-n-finish to be better than I expected. Im hoping Ill have an positive update in 6 months, but for now, this is the best car for the money, period!

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  Excellent Car! - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mike in Texas - November 12 - 11:45 am

  My wife is in sales and needed a larger car to drive clients around and to carry lots of product samples. So we got the 2LT with leather, sunroof, blue tooth connectivity, dual climate zones etc. This revised Impala is nice looking and very comfortable to ride in. The 3.9l engine has good power and still gets 24.5mpg on Dallas freeways. In city traffic, it gets about 21MPG.

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  Cheap fun Vette! - 1995 Chevrolet Corvette
  By pat taylor - November 11 - 11:05 pm

  Great car for the money. Very stable, great braking, quality paint for 13 years old! Runs as new!

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  After all these years! - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By NickDago - November 11 - 8:53 pm

  I am sure glad my wife let me buy this car four years ago. If ever you need a little pick-me-up the Corvette Z06 will definitely do the trick. I have not had any problems with this car and love the way it handles and the power it has. You just can not get over the quickness and power this car has. I was able to by this car from the original owner with 6500 miles on it for 30k, best 30k I have ever spent. I you want to experience Ferrari like perfomance at a price almost anyone can afford than you have to drive a C% Z06.

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  08 Cobalt LS - glad I bought it - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By norb - November 11 - 2:42 pm

  Very good, solid car overall. Fun to drive, reasonably priced compared to the competition, and easy on gas. Ive put about 5000 miles on the car and have had no problems. Ive been getting 25-26 mpg around town, 31 mpg on longer trips, and I do have a habit of standing on the gas!