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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  A good car for the price - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By calcote - April 27 - 5:56 pm

  The Chevy Impala is a very nice car. It has many nice features. The fuel economy is pretty bad on this car. It gets only about 21 mpg in rural areas. The style of the interior and exterior is very nice and the car is very roomy. It is a very reliable car that looks very nice. The cars is very quiet, comfortable, and has a very fair price.

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  07 HHR LT - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By RSS - April 27 - 3:05 pm

  Were very excited when we purchased this vehicle. It looks good, fun to drive and gets good gas mileage. The fun ends after about 60,000 miles. Would suggest you trade it in at the 36,000 mile mark. The cost for repairs after that will make you wish you never bought the car.

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  Good Car - 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Tom Smith - April 27 - 8:57 am

  This is a extremely good car and would prefer it to most other suvs. The Expedition has way better handling though, but the tahoes can be fixed by adding a independent rear suspension. Its a no-brainer. It needs a bigger engine option to like they had before. Im shocked that it doesnt have a third row seat that folds into the floor.

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  Best Car ever - 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Russ Blondek - April 27 - 8:29 am

  I love this thing. When I tow my 6,500 pound trailer you can barley feel it. The ride is smooth while I have the Z71 Package. It tackles mountains like nothing, and its done marvels when waterfording. I couldnt imagine not driving anything else. The Cargo space is huge, and the cabin is insanley roomy. The handling feels european and is incredible for such a large SUV. Bumps and potholes are barley felt. I was going home one night and a deer jumped in front of my headlights. I did hit him, but alls I felt was a light thud.(The deer survived. Hes at a sancuary now). The car is remarkably safe and the electronic stability control ahs saved my life more then once. Do not hesitate buying this!!!

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  cobalts arent so bad ,tcs crash bad - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By michael - April 27 - 4:01 am

  i bought an 06 cobalt and tricked it out for my niece,i liked the car and wanted to keep it ,it getws knocks from really dumb journalists,,its so quiiet it needs a light to tell you its on ,hates poor roads,would like iraqi roads,bush and arnold are anti safe roads,any way it has lambogina paint and 18 in chromes,looks very expensive ,im inntoit 9850....

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  2010 Malibu LT2 - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jim Taubitz - April 26 - 1:35 pm

  Ive owned the Malibu for a few months and I am delighted with the vehicle. The exterior looks with the 17" chrome wheels is very sharp and the 2 tone interior and is contemporary and very clean. Build quality has been great and the car is fun to drive. Road handling, suspension and driving dynamics are all very impressive. Best testimonial - My kids love to drive that car and think it looks very cool!

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  Great Buy! New or Used! - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By TK - April 26 - 11:05 am

  Bought a 2006 C6 Convertible used with 45k miles. Love driving this car more and more every time I take her out. Acceleration is very strong and handling is great. The power of this car should be respected but at the same time it is a wonderful daily driver that does not jerk you around. Ride quality is much better than expected but I can do without the noise from the Navigation system it sounds like a DVD / CD is constantly adjusting. Great over all value!

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  Poor comfort driver front seat - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Moose - April 25 - 11:18 pm

  The car has great styling, and alot of good options for the money. Both myself and wife are having prolems with the driver side seat and haedrest. We are just not confortable. We like the looks and ride of this car.

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  Overall, a good car - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Gary - April 25 - 9:50 pm

  My wife loves this car! It has been a good car up to now. Good mileage on the highway and easy to handle.

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  Left in despair - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Clayton Hawk - April 25 - 11:57 am

  This is the second time within 90 days I have experienced problems with the console or gear safety switch locking up and not able to change into any gear. How inconvenent is this. I say it has been very upsetting. This has left me and my family stranded and needing the car towed and billed to my insurance.