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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  2003 Malibu 4 DR. Sedan - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By LGR14481 - September 8 - 12:22 am

  The 2003 Malibu has been a ok ride. The only major problem since Ive owned it has been the brakes anywheres from 8- 10,000 miles alway needing work, recycled rotors, replace pads etc. I have replaced with remaned calipers, that included new pads, I feel it has done some better with anti-seize on the slides as far as the leangth of time between pad replacement? The brake problems appeare only in the front end,due to poor design, not so much in the rear? I love the 3.1 engine power, it has and pickup is great? The Malibu is a comfortable ride, with pleanty of room for five passengers? The arm rest has a tendency to loosen up over time I believe due to poor design? Told 2004 & 5s are better?

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  2004 Chevrolet Colorado - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Larry Newton - September 7 - 10:11 pm

  My wife and I really enjoy our new Colorado as a second vehicle. We selected it because of its very comfortable ride,the ease of entering and exiting the vehicle, and its hauling capacity. It is giving a good 28 MPG on the road and 19 MPG in town. The five cylinder engine has terrific acceleration especially when needed to enter Atlantas interstates. I recently read Consumer Report on the Colorado, and I think CR totally mis- represented the vehicle. We tried and my son bought a Toyota Tacoma. After test driving the Toyota and driving my sons Toyota, I still like the Colorado for its comfortable ride, acceleration, mileage, and ease of getting in and out.

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  2nd Hand Beauty - 1990 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bill - September 7 - 12:07 pm

  Nice car, good buy for anyone who wants a sports car but doesnt have big money to buy one. Still turns heads.

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  Chevy Blazer 4x4 2 dr SUV gold - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By dan - September 7 - 2:36 am

  This is second Blazer 4x4 in 2001 I bought. Yes gas, but other than gas, my first was a red 4 door 4x4 that was hit/wrecked the frame so Allstate settled on a total loss and since I owned this car, i bought a 2 door 4x4 Gold and tinted and even smoother than the 4 door. My wife and I love it and love this SUV and as long as you take good care of the car, I believe this will well serve anyone looking for a reliable SUV. Others have written bad comments but maybe they didnt take good care or maybe they bought from other than a dealership because theres nothing wrong yet with the 2001 4x4 Chevy Blazers. Other SUVs dont match up to the Chevy Blazer for the money.

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  Good car for the money - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By hotboy71 - September 6 - 4:29 pm

  I purchased an 2005 Cavalier Coupe 9 months ago. So far, I dont think I have ever driven a 4 cyl car with as much pep and yet still sips gas like this car. Although the cars fit and finish are antiquated, at best, I feel I could have done a lot worse. A buddy of mine just bought an 05 Nissan Sentra SE-R and I would take my Cavalier in a minute over that. You think the materials used on the Cavalier are cheap? Try the Nissan and see what you get! Everythings made of hard, thin plastic. My view of the Cavalier, good car for the money.

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  Great for towing - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By bbp2459 - September 4 - 5:55 pm

  This has been a great truck/SUV for towing & hauling...in style! Very comfortable seats. Having the ability to fold down the midgate gives a lot of versatility. Considering its towing capacity, it is also not so big that you cant park it easily.

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  2006 Malibu SS Reality Check - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Teds Reality - September 4 - 1:59 pm

  This is a hot new ride that offers a LOT for the money. Only in Teds dreams, however, does he get 30-40mpg with a 3.9L V6. Chevrolet only rates it 18-23 or so. After market parts might allow one to milk it for another 10-15%. Make no mistake, this is a comfortable but gas guzzling ride with a lot of punch under the hood.

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  My first car! - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By btown_jim - September 3 - 11:50 pm

  My dad bought the 02 MC SS in bright red for me with 74k miles. had it for half a year now and still love it! handles beautifully, and has some power in the 3800cc engine!! trust me, this car can really book on the highways. interior feels like youre sitting on a really comfy couch, and i love the dual zone climate control. sound system is great too! my friends all love my car. theyre always complimenting how its fast and attention-grabbing. my friend has an 02 MC LS and everyone prefers mine to his, so only look for SS when buying. after 76k still no problems! I plan to have this car for a long time to come.

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  Better than expected - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By brian - September 2 - 3:50 am

  Driving my 2005 Chevy Trailblazer LS is like going from night to day , comparing driving the vehicles iIve had in the past . Theres hardly any if any road noise , a quiet engine , powerful 275 horsepower straight 6 engine . Showed my truck to co-workers and they were amazed on how Chevy has the inline 6 again and so was I . And with OnStar was a huge plus I will have that option when it expires in 2006 . It comes one year free , with also 30 minutes of phone useage also . Its very fun to drive and can accelerate quickly when needed . Down side even though you get use to it , it has a feeling of as if youre on a boat sometimes . Thats my only complaint and also the gas mileage .

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  Too many problems for a brand new truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By zach - September 1 - 11:44 pm

  Hood came loose and rattled horribly when idling. Brake lights and running lights have burnt out twice. Towing light plug didnt work fist time I used it. Half the interior lights have quit working and two speakers have blown. Im not hard on my vehicle. I do put a lot of miles on it, but it gets regular maintanence. I should not have to take it in for warranty work 4 times in the first year. Simply inexcusable. Its fun to drive when everything actually works! What problems can I expect in the future?