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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  76,000 Miles and Sweet Malibu Maxx - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By dbadcraig - June 8 - 2:30 pm

  This is a car I did not care for much at first, but we needed another car and the price was right. Well, the car has really grown on me and I now love it. I am incredulous of the odometer reading, this car drives more like a car with 7,600 miles on it (not 76,000). The engine and transmission are wonderful, delivering a good +33 mpg on the highway. Not a drop of oil used. The ride/handling compromise is perfect for everyday use. The electric steering is different, but easy to get used to. Negatives: 1. noise (a "clunk") in the front end in low speed turns that appears to be a common characteristic of the electric steering, 2. the cars heater is slow to warm up the car on cold days.

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  1993 Vette owned 10 years - 1993 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Paul - June 8 - 12:12 pm

  I bought this 93 Vette right out of college w/77K mikes. I used it for a daily drive, weekends, etc. Ive owned Jaguars, BMWs, etc. This car has been the best bang for the buck and you can pull into a dealership in any rural town and get it worked on. With tech manuals you can easily service it yourself or you local mechanic buddy can fix almost anything. With the mpg and economical repairs, it has been a very great affordable car to own and operate. Performance and the looks of this 14 year old car still turn heads. If you dont have one, get one.

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  My Vette - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Brian Fries - June 7 - 6:21 pm

  I have only had my car for a few weeks and I find myself wanting to lay on the gas more and more. It seems very manageable at lower rpms and really gets up to go when you want it to.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Very Satisfied - June 5 - 7:16 pm

  Looked at Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, and Volkswagen Passat. For the money, this was the best car. More than adequate power for a 4 cyl., extremely quiet at highway speeds, and a very smooth, comfortable ride. Suspension not too hard or soft, just right. Plenty of technology and luxury like comforts in the car (Bluetooth, OnStar, heated seats). First road trip was over 600 miles, averaged about 30-32 mpg, but I tend to drive a little fast. Car was at 80 mph, tachometer wasnt even at 2500. Putting a 6 speed trans in this car was the smartest thing GM ever did. Oh, did I mention, car is just beautiful to look at. This is my first American purchase, and I am extremely impressed.

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  So Good I Purchased one for my wife! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By John Horton - June 5 - 1:09 pm

  Very pleased with the ride looks and durability of the car. The only problems I have had have been the tail lights which GM did fix and I never had a problem again with either vechicle. I purchsed a second one for my wife and we both have been pleased with the performance of the car.

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  Must Have Car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By bongo - June 4 - 7:40 pm

  The car is great, handling is awsome. Stock tires dont last long but they seem to grip the road very well. Very responsive throttle and the supercharger is the best ever. I would recommend the car to anyone who ask me what I think of it.

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  Lookin Good and not Broke! - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Goldiespeople - June 4 - 10:00 am

  In the two years weve owned this vehicle it has taken us on countless trips with no problems. In our opinion great vacation vehicle for a couple.

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  Like a Rock - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By porkchop1000 - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Great get up N go. 4:10s plus the 5.3=awesome power!

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  Superb Auto - Impala LS - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Paul Mulvogue - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Purchased 2003 Impala LS with sports appearance package in April.Went on 5000 mile road trip in June.This car really excells on mountain roads.The performance,styling,handling,and economy is much more than I expected.Averaged 30mpg at 75mph on highway.Almost didnt get XM satelite radio,now its one of my favorite features.This is probably as close to the perfect auto one can buy!Its really FUN to drive again!

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  03 Tahoe LT - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By esureta - June 4 - 10:00 am

  I was skeptical about buying a car built in the US, but friends who own the Tahoe are more than satisfied with the reliability and performance. Truly amazed of the handling and styling for a large SUV.