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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  My little zippy Chevy - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By cece - September 10 - 5:11 pm

  All i can say I love my Malibu. I did a lot of research on this car, and when I sat in it I knew it should be mine. I had also had been looking at the Ford Focus when I pulled in the Ford lot to tell them I decided on the Chevy. I received nothing but compliments.

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  Outstanding - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Santiago - September 10 - 8:44 am

  The 2005 Chevy Cavalier was a blessing for our daughter. I enjoy driving and using the car to run errands. It handles very well and the brakes are very dependable. The price I paid for this car was $5150. Not bad for a very economical vehicle for our daughter. By saving on the fuel, this will help us put our daughter through college.

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  My Dad is a Corvette/Trailblazer SS - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Dave Bjoralt - September 8 - 4:43 pm

  Have had the car about one month. Love it, have had two new C6 Corvettes a 98 & 2001. This is not a Vette but is a lot of fun anyway. My wife had a 2004 Trailblazer and wanted a new one. She wanted a sunroof and such. I wanted a Vette so we met about half way. The power is great. The gas mileage is not as bad as I thought. The first tank was on a trip over trailridge and back was 19.5 this is at 10,500 feet over sea level. It did not know we were on a hill. All the power you could use.

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  Best Car - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By hogan035 - September 8 - 11:46 am

  This bye far is the best car I have ever owned. Great room, performance, gas mileage, and i like the style of it even though some say they dont, I see these Malibu Maxxs all over town now, only a few in Dec of 05 but now i see them all the time, so they must be selling well. The standard features cannot be beaten in my opinion, car starter etc. and the sound system is the best i have ever had in a new car it is just awesome and will blow most aftermarket systems away in my opinion. My car is very quiet and comfortable on the road, city or highway . For those thinking about this car try it i think you will be presently surprised it is a great car for the price and features.

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  Love my HHR - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By afs - September 7 - 8:52 pm

  Ive wanted one of these since I first saw in 2005. Finally bought it as a b-day present to myself--absolutely everything I dreamed it would be! Comfortable and fun. I am a Chevrolet-gal. Its black, chrome package, chrome wheels/roof rack/running boards, gray leather, heated seats, iPod PAL, remote start, premium mats, sunroof, etc. Was going to order 2008 blue HHR, but this was too loaded to pass up and a great deal. I have had so much fun driving it and love having folks ask me about it--and Ive only had it a week! Highly recommend and look forward to many fun years of driving!

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  Great Car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Safety Fan - September 7 - 1:49 pm

  We bought out Malibu a little over a year ago and loved driving it on short and long trips. Great gas mileage for its size, lots of room for people and all the stuff we carry along, and pretty comfortable on the long rides too. But the best thing about it just happened a couple of weeks ago when my wife was in a head on collision. The whole front end was smashed in and she limped away with just a broken collarbone and toe. Front and side airbags and the seatbelt did their job and now were taking the insurance check to buy an 06 Malibu.

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  Best Vehicle I Have Ever Owned - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By DR - September 7 - 1:10 pm

  Excellent job Chevy! This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. Luxury, comfort and built like a tank! I will never own anything else.

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  Equinox Rox!! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By D-man - September 7 - 4:10 am

  I love this car!!! It handles well, gives you a great view of the road ahead. It looks polite and aggresive at the same time.

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  Avalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dnk inc - September 7 - 2:00 am

  The avalance is a fun to drive truck.This truck allows me to haul the equipment needed for work but aso gives me the freedom to take my family places on the weekends. The extended bed allows for more hauling space. I can carry 8ft of drywall or other material. Overall, the avalanche has the best of both worlds.

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  Mr - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ARH1956 - September 7 - 2:00 am

  My 03 Z06 has been flawless. I have had Zero problems & am well pleased. I had the Millenium Yellow on my 00 Coupe but like the Electron Blue on my Z06 better. The LS6 engine is sort of a sleeper, seeming little different than the LS1 @ lower to mid-range rpm. The difference becomes instantly apparent over 4500 rpm where the LS6 really shines. Both engines have an abundance of torque making driving fun & exciting, the HP from 4500-6500 of the LS6 however truly sets it apart from other C5 corvettes.