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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  Chevy Cobalt Exceeded my expectation - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Ding - June 25 - 11:52 am

  This vehicle drives very well, makes tight turns, responds quickly. The fit and finish is great, with no uneven gaps between body panels. The fuel economy is better than posted. I drive a mix of local roads and highway, and get about 32 MPG on average (with automatic transmission). The rear seats have ample leg rooms for my 2 teenage sons. Transmission is especially smooth. Never feel anything with gear changes. The vehicle has substantial weight, so on highway it does not "drift". A great value!

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  Best Car Ever - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By gtb82l - June 25 - 11:17 am

  Weve had our Impala since we bought it new in 04. It is fast, smooth and comfortable, the most comfortable car Ive ever ridden in. Seats six with an enormous trunk. We have had absolutely nothing but oil changes, and just recently brakes. I love this car and expect to get another 160,000 miles. We have the Bose stereo and its the bomb!

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  STYLE - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By M. SMITH - June 25 - 11:02 am

  Purchased my 08 LTZ MALIBU,black with peanut butter interior ,before vacation last. We were able to place 2 sets of golf clubs, & luggage in the trunk. The car is great, fuel economy is great. Had a 01 Cadillac, wanted a new 08 CTS. compared the Mailbu with the CTS, practically same car for $20, 000 less. Glad we purchased the Malibu, if I only get passerbys to stop leaving finger prints on the windows when they peak in to look at the interior.

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  Zippy - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bob Daily - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Wow this car can get away with you if you dont watch out. watch the speedometer. Just have had it 3 weeks and love it. I traded in my 97 Metro for this one. (I also owned a YUGO!) and a Pinto, and an Escort Wagon

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  Best car in the world - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By nunyabiznizzle - June 25 - 10:00 am

  to tight this is the perfect car! I love it and no other car is beter than this.

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  Great Deal - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By smn - June 25 - 10:00 am

  I looked at this car as an afterthought. I love it. The acceleration and handling is great. You cant beat the leg room in front or back. My friends love the "claw" cupholders. I had test driven the escape, crv and vue and none of them compared to the power and handling of the equinox. Its a great deal.

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  this truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By pimprod - June 25 - 10:00 am

  this truck is kind of fats but it could use some more horespower it is down on the competion it needs a supercharger and it need not to be a awd truck

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  2004 Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dunc - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Traded in my 03 Pathfinder so I could haul my boat. Hauls good, wish I had gone with the 5.3L towing package. Clunking noise in transmission gets crazy - dealership says Chevy has designed a new slip yolk to rid of this noise (well see). Overall a great purchase

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  A Miracle Car! - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Linda - June 25 - 6:49 am

  Its hard to describe just how great my 91 Camaro has been. She now has over 331,000 miles on her (amazing!), with the original engine. The transmission unfortunately had to be replaced at 324,000 miles. The first half of her life she commuted 110 miles a day in all kinds of Texas weather, but these days she is taking it easier. But I love driving her, no matter where! I love how she was always way ahead of the stretch when the red light turned green!! (And she can still do it after all these years!) And shes still so beautiful that people stop me to ask if they can buy her. No way! We will be together for keeps. I love my Camaro!!!!

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  2011 4 AWD Equinox MPG TERRIBLE FALSE ADVERTISING - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By midilink - June 25 - 4:04 am

  Im 60 years old. Ive been around and have worked on cars ALL my life. I presently collect and restore my own muscle cars, have about 40. I bought this Equinox hoping to get at least NEAR the advertised MPG which is does not. Ive yet to get 22 MPG. I phoned GM and was told to give it 3500-5000 miles and mileage should increase. I understand the computer controls the break in period and this are supposed to improve, but at 3800 miles so far they have not. I dont want any suggestions or reasons, I know them all, believe me. Im going to take a loss and get rid of this car and get something else this week. I would be willing to start a class action law suit if there are any attorneys reading