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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  Its About Time - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By BrownsChamp - October 6 - 10:20 pm

  ...that GM puts together a car that can compete with the imports. I have been waiting for Chevrolet to give me a reason to consider them again. The design and reviews got me in the dealership. The test drive sold me. My four year lease was up on my 2004 Passat Turbo (another review for another day). For the past year I was planning on getting a loaded Accord or Acura TL. After driving them all, I decided to give Chevy a chance again. This car is right on par with the other brands. It actually drives nicer than the Accord, in my opinion, with nicer controls as well.

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  Fun little car - 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By squidjuice - October 6 - 7:24 pm

  All I can say is shes 18yrs old and still loved. never thought I would say that about a cavalier! awesome car fun and reliable still babied and in the garage with 3 coats of glaze still original paint and Still looks show room! 2 more years and she a antique these are great fun economy cars

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  Great Car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Steve - October 6 - 6:26 pm

  This is the best value I have ever owned in a car. I purchased for $13,400 2.5 yrs ago and still worth 10- 10.5k, just got 33 mpg on a 200 mile trip going 62mph. Great handling and acceleration. Quiet motor, hasnt seen the dealer since I have owned it. Purchased with 11k, now has 52.5k. Chose over an Impala since designed and handled like a more expensive import.

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  This car HATES gas!! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Laura - October 6 - 1:23 pm

  I bought this to drive around my 4 HUGE dogs, which took the place of my gas guzzling SUV. I have had this car over a year with no problems. This car hates gas so much, the closer the needle gets to E, the need will jump back up, lol. I am getting close to 30mpg highway, which is awesome. VERY comfortable leather seats, and an easy driving & comfortable car.

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  First Suv - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jeserfen - October 6 - 11:49 am

  This was my first SUV purchased. I enjoyed it, while it ran. Bought it used in 2004 (7 yrs old) with 70k miles. Around 85K alternator went out. 90k fuel pump out. 100k seat adjust handles broke and started having electrical problems with stereo. Randomly switches sound from speaker to speaker, they never work at the same time anymore. Have had to rebuild transmission, 2 alternators, 3 batteries (in 5 years) brake rotors, rear window wiper stopped working, starter, cargo net posts broke. Very much a plastic interior that breaks when you touch it. However the exterior is solid, I have hit a vehicle and only got a dent while other person had to buy a new front end clip.

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  One of a Kind - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Blacksheep7 - October 6 - 11:06 am

  I have to say that originally I am not a Chevy fan but, my 2010 camaro made me a believer. This car plain and simple is the TRUTH!!!!! My 2SS is white with inferno orange racing stripes,this color combination along with the new design gives this car true beauty. However this beauty has a beast under the hood. The power and handling coming from the 6.2 liter is spine chilling. The interior is well crafted and stays true to the older 69 model. This car was designed well and with a lot of thought. This will be my sons senior prom ride and he is only 5.

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  All I hoped that it would be - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Michael Miller - October 6 - 10:33 am

  I love this car. I consistenly get 26.5 miles to a gallon around town and on the freeway. My average speed in use is 30 mph. I roll it at 70 on the freeway and combined with my street level average 30 mph. Handy layout lets me haul large items. Plenty of pep in small engine.

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  Excellent fuel mileage - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Kenny in NM - October 6 - 10:10 am

  Bought in 2003 with 17,000 Miles. Replaced CV joints at 70K. New Plugs wires at 100K. Just drove from NM to AL and back for vacation and got 32 MPG on first tank of fuel (Night-time Driving With a/c off). Averaged 25.7 MPG for the total 3068 miles driven.

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  bad for america - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Not again - October 6 - 6:22 am

  I have now own my 2007 ss impala with the following problems: two transmissions (both were bad from the shop), bad brakes, battery needs a mechanic to replace and tire monitoring system is not reliable. No wonder Americans buy foreign. No more GM cars for me.

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  This Vehicle - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By wendy - October 5 - 8:12 pm

  This van has been a pain in the neck since we bought it. It has 60000 miles on it and we have replaced the tie rods twice. Bought two set of tires cause the alignment is off because of the tie rods. If you have 1/4 tank of gas and park on a slant you will not be able to crank your car. I have gotten out with 1/4 tank of gas went in the store and come back out and crank my car and it says no fuel. The sliding doors will not close good and will come open while going down the road. I would like to shove this van up the Chevy peoples behind. It is a lemon and not worth anything.