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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  This is a great car - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Ddro - June 2 - 4:30 am

  I have been in my Jewel Coat Camaro for a couple months now and am as excited each time I start it as I was when I picked it up from the dealership. Performance is perfect in every way. Fun to drive, acceleration amazing and looks like nothing else on the road today. When parked next to my coworkers Corvette most people radiate towards the Camaro with good reason. The Camaro looks tough from every angle. Wide and mean is the best way to describe the looks from the front. I am totaly satisfied with this car. I would rather drive this car than my Cadillac STS and that is a great car. I tried the imports and had nothing but trouble with my Mercedes E350. I would buy this car again and might.

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  Its orange - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By John - June 2 - 1:08 am

  The only problem Ive had so far is the the wheel speed sensor went bad, around $100 to fix. The car is quick for a 4 cyl, it has some cool features such as XM radio, and is fun to drive. The only thing I dont like is the color, which is orange, my own fault.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By krystin - June 1 - 7:38 pm

  Awesome car! I have the LT with the V6 and wheels from the Impala SS in Black Granite with Charcoal leather/suede interior. Engine is really powerful and ride is really nice. I just love the exterior, color is so pretty in the sun, and it looks like no other car. Interior is really nice too, love the dash layout. Very comfortable seats and extremely quiet. When idle, you cant tell the engines running. I was going to get the LTZ but couldnt stand the two-tone interior. LT came with everything I wanted and was cheaper anyway. Overall, I love this car and it has a lot of features that are optional and/or cost extra on other cars like the heated seats and remote start.

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  Up against Honda - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Rolin - June 1 - 7:27 pm

  A tall order to stack up against my 75 Civic, but Detroit has finally come abreast of Honda--not to win, of course, but at least place or show. At $9999 this basic model had just what I wanted, including a tight 5-speed manual trannie, almost as buttery smooth as Honda. (Power windows are over-rated anyway.) The caster is a bit too strong, the steering ratio is a bit too sharp, and the steering wheel is a bit too small, so it wont drive itself like a Civic. If youre making a sharp right, be advised to keep a firm grip on the wheel, cause it will snap back in the direction its pointing in a hot lick. But Hey, its from Detroit! I started with a 49 Chevy, and Im back home.

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  Whats not to like - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By rjerryc - June 1 - 2:17 pm

  Of course, there are those who think every vehicle should be custom built to do everything they personally want. They want 50 mpg and capacity to haul the biggest load imaginable. Very good van - built on a truck chassis and the engine has plenty of power to tow a good sized trailer (5,500 lbs). Lots of driver and passenger comforts-armrests, etc. Easy to drive even when towing a big load. Its not a Ford F-350 so dont expect that! Great van, bigger than a mini-van and a lot better.

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  2007 Tahoe - A cut above the rest - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Steve - June 1 - 12:13 pm

  Ive had my 2007 Tahoe now for 6 months. Just over 20,000 very happy miles on the odometer. The car is super comfortable, very responsive and a pleasure to drive. I wish I could find ethanol in New York but its just not available yet. Just returned from a 4,000 mile round trip to Florida, great trip. My only complaint is the rear window. It is impossable to keep it clean. A slight rain and you cant see out the window. The car needs a spoiler to re-direct the rain off the window better. The sound system is great as are the heated seats. It was +9 here this morning and the seats were toasty warm. Looking forward to many happy miles. By the way, I replaced a 1996 GMC Yukon that had 146k miles

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  Red Rocket - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By sdz06 - June 1 - 11:38 am

  Ive owned this car since new. It is the second Corvette that Ive owned. The car is extremely fun to drive, handling and acceleration of this car exceeds most drivers abilities. The ride is surprisingly good for such a high performing sports car.

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  Excellent Vehicle!! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By Lori - June 1 - 7:05 am

  Absolutely Excellent vehicle! Bought it with about 50,000 miles on and it now has 198,000 and drives just well as it did when I first bought it. I have beat the crud out of this van with three kids in hockey and multiple other activities. My job requires heavy loads to be transported here and there. Kids, now teenagers, have given it a beating, and it just keeps on going and going! Basic maintenance, other than the window motors going out on a couple of occasions. It runs out so smooth, cant even hear or feel when its on. Were pushing for another 100k??!!!

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  Love this Ride - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Monica & Micheal - May 31 - 5:16 pm

  Our first SUV. Rides great. Gas mileage isnt the best but the room we have is awesome. Love the 3rd row seating. Not that easy to access but its enough room for our 3 kids. They love it. The first thing they do when getting in, is the 3rd row. They feel like chauffers.

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  Super Sport Heaven - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By LuvmySuperSport - May 31 - 11:21 am

  Just brought home my ss last week. Wow, what a truck! I am a bit of a motorhead for being a girl, but this truck is the bomb! The power, handling, suspension, ride, the list is so long. I love my super sport. Not since my 1972 chevelle have I loved to get behind the wheel and just drive. It is awe inspiring. I love the black on black and will be detailing her and enjoying every minute. Beautiful and eye catching. Thank you.