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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  What a Deal - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By d_vicsik.rm - October 24 - 6:53 pm

  Had to buy a car capable of handling my wife and I, two toddlers, and our three dogs (Great Dane, Boxer, Jack Russell). With the back seat slid forward (but back enough to allow legroom), the dog gate to the rear hatch is large enough to hold the Boxer and Great Dane. On a recent trip to Houston, I averaged 32 MPG on the highway at 70 MPH. Handling is borderline fun though the electric steering seems to sometimes lose the drivers intent and seems to emphasize torque steer at times during hard acceleration. With the dogs out and the back seat slid back, its a limo!

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  Great but could be greater - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By rodger Chinery - October 24 - 11:32 am

  Weve had the Malibu 3 months and a couple of thousand miles for two medium trips and a lot of city driving. Comfortable and quiet and smooth but not as quiet or smooth as the LT we tested at the same time. I think its the tires - LTZ sportier but if an absolutely smooth quiet cruiser is what you want, Id recommend the LT. Mileage isnt great but is what it said wed get. 17 city upper 20s on highway (at mostly 80)

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  American Work Horse - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By chevyguy9 - October 23 - 11:43 pm

  This truck is absolutly outstanding. Before I owned it, a rancher out in the Houston area owned it. He had to haul horse trailers, trailers with hay bales, tractors, you name it. From what the dealership told us, the previous owner had it stuck in a river for three days. The only thing needing replacement was the computer system. Since we have had it, all i have had to replace was a fuel pump. ive dont everything imaginable in this truck. I can cruise at 85 no problem. You wouldent even know that my 30 rv was behind the truck because it doesnt strain the engine at all. This truck is perfect for anything. No matter what you put it through, it wont stop. EVER

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  Its paid for so dont laugh. - 2001 Chevrolet Express
  By firefightingfool - October 23 - 7:31 pm

  I love my van. My wife hates it. (Due to the consumption of fuel, along with the price of fuel.) I upgraded from an Chevy Astro. The room, the entertainment system, the handling, the styling, the aggressive motor, the storage room behind the rear seat, the duel A/C. I can go on forever. The only drawback is the fuel economy, which I really dont mind, because the entire family can travel in comfort. I bought my van with 29,000 miles and I currently have just over 93,000 miles. When it comes to repairs, Ive needed to replace my starter, alternator and battery. With regular maintenance my vehicle has been superb.

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  Best Chevy to date - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By JOHNNY B - October 23 - 7:12 pm

  I have owned a few Chevys in my time. This one is great. It came with factory tinted windows and a faux cloth top. The car runs great, 33 mpg on the highway and 22 in the city. The 3.4 liter engine has enough get up and go. The interior is roomy and comfortable. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  This HHR Rocks - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By ChristNMe - October 23 - 5:03 am

  I can only say that I enjoy the smooth ride the handling and the controls. I was looking for a truck and the Colorado was it... until I saw the HHR and took her out for a run. Great pickup for a small engine! The controls will take a little getting used to, but they really streamlined the doors by moving the window controls to the console area. I am so glad I took it for a ride and bought her!

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  Bought used 2006 Impala - Great - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Average Joe - October 22 - 10:12 pm

  Just bought one used with 59,000 miles, in August 2009. What a great car. Designed for adult men and I think also women. Comfortable, everything is where it should be and works like it should. Plenty of room but very good gas mileage. What a pleasure to get into to drive home at the end of the day, or to take on a trip. Why spend a lot more money on a car? This has everything you reasonably want.

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  Good looking truck - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Tony - October 22 - 9:34 am

  Purchased the truck new and in 12 years have driven 28,100 miles. I had to replace the alternator at 20,000 miles and upgraded the brake system with drilled and slotted rotors and high performance pads. Now the brakes are great. My 2nd battery died last nite. I needed to fix the leaking oil lines which also leaked in my 1994 Pontiac Gran Prix. Other than the above listed problems the truck rides great and has good acceleration, confort, looks and reliability.

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  Excellent American Built Car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dale - October 22 - 7:57 am

  Excellent build car by Chevrolet. I love to drive this car. Very comfortable and quiet. Excellent gas mileage for large car

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  badazz - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By smith71 - October 22 - 7:43 am

  I picked up my car just a few days ago and already took it on a 500 mile day trip. It was comfortable enough for my 9 year old to be in the back seat for 10 hours. The car looks better in person than any pictures can show you.