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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  Very Reliable - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Mr Sensitive - June 13 - 1:08 pm

  I bought this car new for my wife in 1998 in Houston Texas to replace her 1986 Chevy Monty Carlo. It has been a very reliable and exellent car to drive. Relatively good gas mileage even today in 2008. I get 25mpg on highway and 21 mpg local. I currently drive it back and forth to work about 26 miles round trip. Only repairs, turn signal switch and alternator. Had a small oil leak that I used some stop leak on the last oil change. This seamed to stop the leak. Changed plugs at 105k mile. Currently has 116,000 miles on it and still rides pretty smooth. Chevy should bring this vehicle back into production . I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

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  Big Black - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Big Black - June 13 - 8:04 am

  This is my second Z06. The first was an 06. I loved it, but decided to return to an 08 convertible. It was a nice car, but I quickly missed my Z06.So, it was back to a Z06. I have never driven a better, more enjoyable car in my life! Its an everyday driver, and I cant wait to start the motor each day. If you can afford it, dont miss the chance to own and drive one. The Z06 will do everything that GM says...and more.

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  Love it! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By suzanne - June 12 - 2:51 pm

  My first two cars were a Cavalier and Sunfire. The Cobalt by far is of much higher quality and is made far better. I originally was considering the Aveo when I went shopping for my 3rd car, but the quietness and smoothness of the ride got my hooked to the Cobalt. Its wonderful to drive in the snow. I feel very safe in it. After a 9 hour road trip its still comfortable.

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  Nice Midsize SUV - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Keith - June 12 - 2:30 pm

  Overall, very glad to have traded-in a low-mile Acura for this new SUV. Performance is nice because torque peaks early; keeps the engive from having to work hard. Smooth, quiet, and the electronic assisted steering is very easy. My wife really enjoys the entertainment system and I feel comforted from the safety options, crash ratings, and OnStar satellite support system. Wife gets 16MPG city and almost 25 highway, not me.

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  Contemporary and Efficient - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cruzer4 - June 11 - 1:40 pm

  Ice Blue LTZ looks better in person than in photos. Beautifully styled. Outstanding seat travel and adjustability for a tall driver. Getting 30 to 35 mpg so far. Impressive lack of shift busyness on hilly interstates. Tap Up/Down shifter is very useful. Coastdown shifts very poor. Good DIC and Bluetooth integration. Big trunk. Very nice steering feel with Michelin Pilot tires. Smooth ride if tires are at 30 psi recommended cold pressure.

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  Much better than Dodge - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By boxergirl - June 11 - 11:58 am

  The ride in the Equinox is very smooth - the suspension is great and it drives like a car. I was also surprised coming from a much larger engine that the smaller V6 still has a lot of get up and go. In addition, Im getting 25mpg highway and 21-22 city. To me this is the best feature especially since the gas tank holds 20 gallons - which I think it kinda big for this size SUV. Anyway, its nice to be able to go over 400 miles on one tank. I just started a carpool at work, and the Equinox easily fits 4-5 adults - especially with the rear seat set back.

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  malibu review - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By cwgunn - June 11 - 10:00 am

  great car, lots of room, great rear sun roof, fun to drive

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  nice car - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By travinator - June 11 - 10:00 am

  i think that every person on the planet should own one of the best cars in the world and that car is a chevy monte carlo

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  like a rock - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By melven mikell - June 11 - 10:00 am

  overall i love my vehicle. sometimes it clicks and makes a few extra sounds that my car that i drove before did not make. the truck i test drove did the same thing so without any problem i have to assume thats normal. i love my chevy pickup and so does my kids.

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  What A Car! - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By John P. - June 11 - 10:00 am

  What an OUTSTANDING Car! The Commemorative Edition Convertible is a great color combination! Car receives nothing but looks wherever you drive it. I have waited a long time to be able to afford a Vette, but the C5 made it all worth it!