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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  Best Vehicle I ever bought - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Not a soccer mom - November 23 - 6:56 pm

  I am old enough to remember and appreciate the utility of station wagons. I can see why they dont make many of the any more. This CUV exceeds all my expectations Very easy to drive with pretty good visibility (except for right rear). Comfortable and quiet but still handles very well. Gas mileage is as advertised. The dash design is gorgeous and as good as or better than any of the competition in this price range.

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  Drives well...when it drives - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By crapaliergirl - November 23 - 6:46 pm

  I keep my cars in great shape - my previous car was a 30 year old VW in mint condition. This car - well. Under warranty: Bearings some sort of alternator shelf? catalytic converter Covered because though not under warranty, acknowledged problem: ENGINE (faulty block - if your engine goes - INVESTIGATE AND PUSH!) Not under warranty: brakes and rotors - constantly warps rotors within first 5,000 kms. $400 Fuel pump at 125,000 kms - although thousands of complaints, claim its a "fuel supply" issue and not a fuel pump issue. Yes - apparently, by the thousands of complaints, its one all over north America. nice one, GM. interior poorly setup - cannot use heat knobs with cup holders full.

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  ZR2 Wish They Still Made Them - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By twoeggsup - November 23 - 4:27 pm

  Ive always loved the stance of a ZR2. This truck has been extremely reliable with very few exceptions. The new Colorado is ugly so I was glad I was able to find the ZR2 and in my favorite color, arrest-me red. The wide stance of the vehicle makes it actually corner exceptionally well. Compared to my 1989 S10 Ext Cab 4WD the handling is like night and day. The 3.73 rear does seem to hurt mileage. With the taller 31" tires acceleration would probably suffer with a 3.42. Weak points, the taller springs give it very good ground clearance but it cant carry the load of my 89. The tank sender is a problem as is the plastic door handle for the 3rd door and the fogs are too high to be of any use.

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  Good when it wants to be - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bryguyknowsall - November 23 - 1:49 pm

  I bought the car back in 07 with 42,000 miles on it. Since then I had to replace the rack and pinion, inner and outer tierods. Back swaybar. Completely overhauled the braking system. The engine is still purring. Great car since I bought it with all these problems with it in the first place. Nice car lovin the rust on the gas dispenser. Love the way the fabric on the roof is peeling. But it never really left me stranded.

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  look closely - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ralph - November 23 - 1:44 pm

  Bought LT1 v4 in April -- car is great but a little lacking on power when you need to get on express way. At this point you need to use the auto stick. Fit and finish is a little off. Look at the seams in the hood mine are off. Ride is sporty and some controls can be confusing. I dont get stated gas mileage, a little less. No mechanical problems -- reliable

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  Tahoe for the Sprited - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By stage98 - November 23 - 11:57 am

  I am hard on the truck and push it like everything else in my life. The truck never fails to perform.OE Tires (Dueler HT) wore uncomfortably quick but there is 40000 on them. Love the truck and can see it in my driveway for years to come unless chevy arranges a camaro replacement

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  i love my hhr - 2010 Chevrolet HHR
  By hornet7202 - November 23 - 9:31 am

  Folks told me she was so little she wouldnt be good in snow. I drove her up a mountain over a mile high on mud and ice with no fish tailing or sliding, the traction was wonderful and now can hardly wait to try her in the Maine winter here, although I worry about the road salt. I put the seats down and can do what I always did with my bigger vans. Dodge and Plymouth. Needless to say she preforms well. My biggest complaint was location for my coffee cup, it is very hard to reach and drive. She handles well on turnpike driving and in cities like Boston she is a breeze. Thanks Chevy for a Nice little car. I tell my children if I had money, Id have one in all the colors for each day of the week.

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  Best Buy Pickup - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By shotgunbill - November 23 - 6:43 am

  This is a smooth riding, but capable work truck. I have hauled firewood to building materials and everything in between. It beats any other pickup in its class for fuel mileage, yet has enough power to get things done. I think GMs quality has improved a lot over the last ten years. I love the layout of the cab, and the special features. The 4.3 V6 has decent power- low end torque, cruises at the high teens of rpm at 65 mph. It handles well and brakes good. When I trade in my SUV I plan on buying a Tahoe, I hope before they restyle it. While I like the current Chevy over Ford or Dodge , I like the style of the 2002s better.

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  Malibu LTZ to the MAXX - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Kevin - November 23 - 3:23 am

  This is one of the best kept secrets at your local Chevy dealer. The quality, ride, interior function are world class. Chevrolet market needs to get the word out on this one. We drove the Maxx from Ohio to Fla in December and average 31 mpg! Tons of room and teenage sons and friend love the room.

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  Absolutly Awesome - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Binkey1313 - November 23 - 2:20 am

  I love almost everything about this car. Standard features are awesome! Drives beautifuly. Looks beautiful!