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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  Excellent Value - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JD - August 22 - 9:41 am

  Terribly disappointed in my two Toyotas. Went back to Chevy and wow what a car. Great gas mileage, very good road handling, and competitively priced. Am getting ready to buy a new car and it will be another Chevrolet product.

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  My new Malibu - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Adam - August 21 - 10:26 pm

  I have done alot of research before I got this car. When Chevy brought out the new Malibu in 08, I knew I had to have one. I love my car, I got the 2lt with the engine package, so fuel economy is not that great, but it is so fun to drive. I plan on driving it to Arizona all the time from Vegas, it is so comfortable too, GM did a great job with this car. I bought it because it has done so well in the first year.

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  Love my Tracker - 1999 Chevrolet Tracker
  By OVUgirl - August 21 - 5:23 pm

  I bought my Tracker on a lark, just out looking one Saturday. What a great find it was and still is. Tracker had 44,000 miles on it in 2004 and now has 122,000 with nothing but regular oil changes, brakes, tires and a timing belt. This is a great little SUV and really fun to drive or go muddin with. I can throw all kinds of mud on my friends expensive trucks and SUVs! Its a riot. Best vehicle I ever bought, and I bought my first in 1968.

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  So far so good - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ehsande - August 21 - 11:04 am

  I bought my 1998 Tahoe in 2006 with 99,000 miles on it. I think the GM/Chevys of the 1990s are great looking vehicles and always wanted one. Being that I bought it with 99,000 miles, there were some repairs to be done at 100,000, one being the water pump. I recently had work done on the brakes. Gas mileage can actually be quite good. Im a fairly "soft" driver, and have gotten nearly 23mpg hwy with cruise control. I was in Montana when I first bought it, and often got 16-17mpg "city", though that has plunged since moving to a big city with lots of wasted gas at intersections.

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  Simply awesome - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By dsinned - August 20 - 5:14 pm

  427 cubes of modern day small block, push rod V8 engine technology is a wonderful thing! I never thought it would happen in an age of hybrids and ever greener emission standards. The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is the best of all worlds. Big time muscle car performance, yet still docile and comfortable enough for every day commuting. It dont get much better than this! Corvette still rules as Americas #1 favorite sports car. Thank you Chevrolet!

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  Everything as promised - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By gcmprinter - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle. Almost bought a "new style" Expedition and am glad I didnt. I havent had a Suburban/Tahoe for over 6 years and GM really has improved.

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  Best GM Car in Years! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Halliecat - August 19 - 11:26 pm

  For the price I believe this is the best car on the market. The interior is luxurious, with leather and ultra-suede seats. Mine has the V6 with more power than I know what to do with. It handles like a dream and really hugs the road on turns. The optional remote start is a life-saver on these freezing mornings, as are the heated seats. Ive never been happier with a new car purchase. Welcome back GM!

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  A vast improvement! - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By B. Norton - August 19 - 6:58 pm

  I purchased this van after I traded in a 2001 Venture. I have owned 2 Ventures and was again looking for a GM product. I was going to buy an HHR, but my wife saw this Uplander on the dealerships used car lot, and she fell in love with it. I just returned from a 2000+ mile trip through Virginia and West Virginia, and was really surprised how much improved this van is compared to my two previous Venture vans. The ride and handling are just awesome! The 3.9 V- 6 has plenty of power, and the 4-wheel disc brakes are a enormous improvement over any Ventures brakes. Overall, a smash hit at my house!

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  2006 Equinox LT - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MarkAndSuzy - August 19 - 5:33 pm

  We just picked up our 2006 Equinox LT, Laser Blue, and are much MUCH happier with the 2006 LT model, than we were with the 2005 LS model, because the LS doesnt come with cruise, plus we had silver with black bumpers, now we have painted blue bumpers, and are going to get the sunroof too. The 06 LT drives a LOT smoother than the LS, with AWD, traction control etc, plus, is much quieter and steers more solidly than the LS, which tended to be finicky and jump around a lot. Plus the cheesy faux "alloy looking" hubcaps with the black rims showing underneath. We are very very happy with the new model. Happy enough to take the big hit on depreciation after having the 05 model just one month!

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  What an awesome Vette - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jersey Jeff - August 19 - 2:25 pm

  My 4th new Corvette, my first Z06, and by far my most powerful and fun Vette ever. This car looks incredible and has the performance to match the looks. Complete strangers tell me they love it, and even my wife saw it and said it was the best looking Vette she had ever seen. I bought it 48 hours later. It graces my garage parked next to my 02 vette (7,200 miles) which I am saving for my only daughter who was born in 2002. The license plates have her name and 02. At 5 years old she is already a Vette fanatic, she has good taste like her dad and mom.