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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  Great Car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By kat trahan - April 2 - 9:07 am

  Purchased this car for my wife in 2003. She drives it as a daily commuter to work. Also, we use it for short family trips. Able to fit two large car seat in the back with plenty of leg room for the kids. Large trunk provides plenty of room for almost anything. Just a great all around car.

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  Stripper Vette - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bill - April 1 - 9:00 pm

  Decided to buy the base model because it is more comfortable and actually faster with six speed. Luxury or high performance at the blip of a throttle. C6 is much better than C5 and the build quality is fantastic. First trip 25mph and now 19 in city...wow. I like the fact that base wheels are easier to clean and look great at all angles. This is the most surprising vehicle I have ever owned and I have had them all (Porsche, MB, etc). 400 horsepower sure makes smiles happen quickly..

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  2005 2500HD Duramax - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Duramaxpower - April 1 - 6:10 pm

  I have to say this truck is awsome! I own several semi trucks and Chevrolet has spent alot of time designing this Duramax. I have the LLY and I pull a 10,000lb trailer and dont even know its back there! The best thing they could do for this truck is ride height increase! Its no taller than a Colorado! But overall, its one tough truck! The Duramax is the quietest diesel on the market! I put a K&N air filter in with no increase in fuel mileage but, I am averaging 17mpg. city driving mostly.

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  Wonderful/beautiful/exquisite sports car - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By The Maverick - April 1 - 9:50 am

  It is absolutly the greatest experience in the world for me to be able to own and drive the only hand built American sports car left. Its style, comfort, and yes even economy is just out of this world. Thanks Chevrolet for building a sports car that is above the rest.

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  Best SUV of the Decade - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By socalfinancier - April 1 - 6:06 am

  I have owned the 2007 Tahoe for a couple of weeks now and am amazed at the performance this vehicle has. I drive long distances and this has the features and design that let you actually enjoy driving again. Dont buy this SUV, I want to be the only one driving this beautiful machine!

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  The perfect car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Wags - April 1 - 12:40 am

  I drive all city driving in my 2005 Chevrolet Malibu with a 3.5 Liter V6 and I am currently getting 30 miles to the gallon with only city driving. When I go on road trips I get about 39 freeway driving which just blows me away. I bought it thinking it would get 22 city and 32 highway but I am stunned at the great mileage I get especially with the very high gas prices. Did I also mention that I am constantly punching my gas petal to beat people off the line?

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  Proud Owner Of A 2500HD Silverado LTZ - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By DMan - March 31 - 11:20 pm

  I have owned this truck sense October 2008. Service has been performed as recommended. I have not had any major problems with this truck what so ever. Minor problems I have had are the belt noise due to the power steering pulley misalignment and the rear tire wear due to factory door sticker calling for 70psi for the rear tires. Dealer took care of all and installed two new tires on my truck. Dropped rear tire pressure to 60psi. No more wear, Love the 6.6 Duramax with the Allison. What a combination. Tons of torque, great performance for a diesel, and quite. Average fuel mileage 18.5 back and forth to work and 22.4 on my last road trip.(12/09).

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  A blast to drive - 1995 Chevrolet Corvette
  By themurph - March 31 - 9:52 pm

  I purchased this vehicle recently and dont know. I have waited so long to get a Corvette. It is fun to drive and the fuel economy is not bad. A great V- 8 sound with good low end torque and plenty of horsepwer to scream top end.

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  Family Use - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Truck Fan - March 31 - 8:20 pm

  Great truck. Great for family and recreational use as people or toy hauler. Other than being not being great in terms of MPG, great automobile.

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  Life in Maxx - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Cobalt ss - March 31 - 1:23 am

  Excellent car with a lot of space, a good look and good performance for the price. A lot of persons said to me that they will consider a Maxx for their next car. No problem except traveling computer, but it was fixed now. I changed the tires for 4 Michelin Hydroedge and the car became more sporty to drive.