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:

• 

  Heaven on wheels - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Denice Cazillo - June 30 - 10:00 am

  This car is the most awesome vehicle Ive ever owned. Comfortable, quiet, with power to get me where I want to go.

• 

  Switched to Extended Cab - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By RoeberR - June 30 - 10:00 am

  No problems. I do mostly city driving and get about the same gas mileage with the the big v8 as I did with the small v6. I switched from the regular cab to extended to get more space, and got the v8 because the v6 just didnt feel right. Ive only had 2 issues with the truck. 1. Its too long. It doesnt fit in my garage. 2. It doesnt turn sharp enough, but Chevy sells an option to fix that problem.

• 

  Looking for another one - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Gene Anniversary SS - June 29 - 8:51 pm

  I traded my one year old 1996 Z28 for the spectacular white with Huggar orange striped 1997 Anniversary SS 6 speed coupe. It had all SLP options sans the extra set of racing wheels that had slicks. With only 3k miles on the car, I decided to install the GMPP LT4 Hot Cam Kit with a set pf ported heads and JBA headers. Got a custom tune for the cam. WOW. That was one hot, quick and beautiful SS. I sold this car only a couple years after buying it to get the new SVT F150 Lightning. I am now waxing nostalgic for another 97 LT1 SS. Ive already got my eyes on one that is low mileage. If you want the ultimate 97 SS, look for the limited 100 produced SS with the LT4 engine. Those were $40 grand.

• 

  One Great SUV Chevy Tahoe - 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Love My Tahoe - June 29 - 7:47 pm

  I purchased my 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe from Tom Jumper Chevrolet in Sandy Springs Georgia,January 2000. I have had no major problems with this truck at all until the past 2 weeks. My A/C has been out , but other that that jus minor maintainace stuff.I bought my Tahoe used with 43k miles and now I am at 200954k. She is still running excellent. I would have driven it to Orlando Florida last week but my a/c is on the blink.

• 

  undependable car - 2005 Chevrolet Classic
  By Amy - June 29 - 11:18 am

  This car has given me nothing but headaches, last summer had to replace the face plate on the a/c because it wasnt connecting to the power source to make it run.... many electronic problems,, from what Ive heard is a result of a bad anti theft system and poor sealing. When it rains I have 2 inches of water in the drivers side floor board. Sometimes it starts, sometimes it doesnt,, sometimes radio works sometimes it doesnt! I hate this car!

• 

  GM was dumb to discontinue this line - 1994 Chevrolet Caprice
  By LT1 Fan - June 29 - 11:17 am

  I had 2 Caprices - an ex-cop car and a wagon. Both were equipped with the now- legendary LT1. My Cop car was purchased with 58K on the odo and the only necessary repair during its life was a starter which was cheap and installed in less than a half an hour. Car was bulletproof and with the plethora of bolt-on aftermarket parts was an absolute blast to drive. Engine was flawless and never leaked, missed or failed to start. My wagon, after being beaten for 90K miles road like a Caddy with a simple, $600 overhaul of the entire suspension. My buddys Caprice has over 220K on it and the valve covers have never been removed. Superb cars that GM shouldve kept refining.

• 

  1999 Tahoe LS 4WD Gladiator Conversion - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Adam - June 29 - 10:35 am

  Replaced intake manifold gasket, $250.00. Other than that excellent vehicle, 18 mpg highway cruise at 65, in town well its a V8. Superb ride comfort, turning radius is incredible for a big truck. Interior noise or lack of is excellent at 70mph plus. Wife loves driving it, big and safe, engine runs excellent. I bought it with 55K on it figuring it would be done at 100K, I have no doubt it will go to 150K and beyond. Parts everywhere for these and their isnt a mechanic who cant work on them if needed. Just a great roomy vehicle, that makes an American proud to pull up to the pump.

• 

  Wonderful,sleek looking, reliable car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Laur09 - June 29 - 10:12 am

  If you are looking for a car with all of the bells and whistles, look no further. This car is comfortable, stylish, provides a smooth excellent ride, and has a really good fuel economy. It is really a well made and low maintenance vehicle. We bought ours 2 years ago, and have just under 20K miles on it. The only problem we have had was this past winter with the Onstar feature freezing up, but other than that no problems.

• 

  Great Choice - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By WTC - June 29 - 5:46 am

  Compared to Camry, Accord, Fusion, and Mazda6 before purchase. Loved the features and styling by comparison. Beautiful car, great looking/functional interior, lots of car for the money. City mileage not as good as hoped, not the best visibility out because of high belt line and rear shelf, and transmission a little sluggish at times around town. Otherwise very happy with purchase after 4 months.

• 

  Love this car - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By campbell - June 29 - 5:30 am

  I did a lot of shopping around before purchasing my 09 Chevy Malibu. I have to say I fell in love with this car from the time I got behind the wheel. This car is by far the best in value and performance of other leading vehicles. I have the 2.4L4cyl and I am getting about 28 mpg on an average highway drive. It has enough horepower for me to take control of the highway driving. Love the new design of the Malibu, I have been asked by several people if the car was a BMW. This car has a European luxury style to it and looks sharp. The interior is very roomy and designed for comfort. You want options, this car has them. Love the free OnStar and the discount from the insurance company.