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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  Love this Malibu! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Harryb - January 16 - 8:00 pm

  This Malibu was one of the first. I had it custom built back in November, 2007. It is simply a great car. No problems. Lots of fun to drive.

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  My Monster - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By ka1zuko - January 16 - 2:33 pm

  This truck is my Tonka. I beat this thing and it has never let me down. I am typically hard on everything I have. This truck is no exception.

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  Fun to drive - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jennie - January 16 - 12:23 am

  The car is a lot for the money. Smooth, quiet riding, very good gas mileage. Shopped for other cars, but this car had more room and more for your money. Very pleased with the car.

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  I got a good one! - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By johnny_sc - January 15 - 12:20 pm

  Bought the Impala LT in October 07; have 9500 miles, and so far no problems. The gas only engine gets 34.5 mpg highway and 27.6 combined. Great looking exterior & interior. Im very content. Thanks GM.

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  Not a bad car at all, at least for me - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By p DuB - January 15 - 4:31 am

  I bought my 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier standard black coupe in November 2006. I like this car because it hasnt given me any problems yet. I hear very good and bad things about this car all the time, I dont really know who to believe. But, all I can say is that I own the standard 2002 coupe model with about 58,000 miles on it and it runs great. Ive had this car for about 2 months now and havent had any problems yet, but from what I have been hearing and reading about this car, Im ready for the worst that can happen with it. I havent changed the oil or anything on it yet, but I will very soon. Overall, its very reliable for a nice every day car for driving for fun, to work, or to school.

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  The Av won my heart - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By shesellschevys - January 14 - 7:35 pm

  Been with the dealership for almost a year. I brought home all sorts of vehicles from small Chevy cars to the Colorado pick-up. Came to notice all the sales managers picked the Av for their demo vehicles and got really used to driving one on errands for work. I get to drive Escalades and all sorts of luxury vehicles but it was the Avalanche that made the most sense. It has a true blend of luxury and refinement with a heavy mix of utilitarian comforts. Not sure that Ill ever go back to driving a sedan again!

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  Corvette Review - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Lovemycorvette - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I think this car is designed very well. I love everything about it except for some simple interior stylings. Overall its a great car and very fun to drive.

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  My 2004 SSR experience - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By Gary - January 13 - 9:42 am

  I have been driving vehicles for almost 40 years and this is the neatest, most exciting and fun vehicle I have ever had the pleasure to drive. It turns heads and gives a driving experience that no vehicle has ever given me.

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  I was schocked! - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mikelapolson - January 13 - 7:40 am

  After driving a large SUV, I was very impressed with the handling of this much smaller one. I drive a lot of rough, country roads, and the handling around potholes and gravel roads was impressive, as well as the comfort on the interstate. I was shocked with the quality of the interior, and the attractive look of the exterior. What a great little suv for a reasonable price. I test drove several other small suvs, and this one outranked them all by a long shot.

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  2002 Impala - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Lonnie - January 12 - 9:03 pm

  This has been a great car even though I have only owned for four months. It rides and handles great, the seats are as comfortable as any Mazda. Toyota or Nissan I have owned. the fuel milage is as good as any other V-6 by any other manufacturer with more power. By the way I purchased this car after my experiance with my wifes 2001 LS Impala