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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  Highway driving - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By John & Sue - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Basically we stole the car when buying it. I got such a good deal (in my opinion) that even though I wasnt looking for another car we just couldnt pass it up. Its enjoyable to drive but attention has to be paid to handling on the highway, it handles well in city driving but the steering is way too tight for the highway. Not a good highway car for a person who while driving may do things that could take their attention off the road even for 1/2 second.

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  Looking Back.... - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By 4carowner - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I have a 99 LS that is identical to the 03s. With 60k miles I have to say it has been a good car. Initial problems with brakes and tires have been fixed. Only other problem is a short in AC switch & alternator failed at 45k. There are only 2 ways to buy the Malibu. First use rebates, GM card promotions and Insist on Invoice price. Second is to find one 2 yrs old and pay half price since resale value is horrible. Right now in SE Region there is 3000 rebate plus 1500 bonus cash and they are clearing out the 03s left for the improved 04 version. With GM card savings you can get it for 6-8000 under invoice!!!

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  2001 2500HD - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Swiech - December 6 - 3:00 pm

  I have the pop-up goose neck hitch and the 8.1L engine. Massive power, but massive gas guzzler. It will pass everything but a gas station.

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  Underappeciated... - 1998 Chevrolet Tracker
  By cxvargas - December 6 - 2:00 am

  by consumers and press. I bought mine new and had the car shipped to the UK in 98. While stationed over there, I truly enjoyed the Tracker qualities. With gas prices at $5 per gallon I never worried about gas bills. Also, it was so easy to park at the local shopping malls or drive in the city. I had the car shipped to several places and is still performing flawlessly. Main concern is with GM dealership service/customer experience. I just bought a new Accord instead of a GM product because such poor experience. Regardless of GM I would recommed this car just because of the excellent built and troble free experience.

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  A Handy Van - 2001 Chevrolet Astro
  By astro FAN - December 6 - 2:00 am

  Van is excellent in snow.Optional seats are comfortable.Cruises well on the highway but can be a little wishy washy on windy day driving.Very solid feel and LOTS of power.Plenty of cargo room.Ride is a little firm but better than a suv.The family loves it!!Oh... and not a single problem yet!!

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  avalanch - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By streetcop - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I love everything about it execpt that it has no place to store the wireless headphones.

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  Its pretty cool. - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Mr. Dave - December 5 - 10:00 am

  I went to look at one of these while scoping out a new family car. The interior is huge, theres only three of us and we all fit fine. Its comfy. My car has every option, minus the heated seats. I like it. Gas mileage is fabulous, I have a 64 mile commute and I get 27 without even trying. Handling is good for a large car - lets face it - this is not a small car, naturally it is not going to handle like sports car. But, it goes where I point it and it stops well too. If you still want more remeber nobody said you cant add bigger rubber or modify the suspension!

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  huge bang for the buck - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jerryd - December 5 - 10:00 am

  i have a triple black ss convertible and this is the first american car i have purchased since 1989. to me this is a six speed manual,nearly 4 seat corvette. i have an slp modified car with the hurst shifter, chrome ss wheels , slp free breathing exhaust and a host of other factory mods. i am extremely pleased with the engineering of this car. it is reliable, fast, steers and brakes well and if i am careful i get approx. 30 mpg...AMAZING

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  owner - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By goerge - December 5 - 10:00 am

  Only problem I have had is with brake rotors

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  Shes Been Good To Me - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By dougelser - December 5 - 2:00 am

  For what it is -- a very inexpensive family vehicle -- this car has been great to me. Bought it in 97 with 24K and have put 120K more on it myself. NEVER have had any drivetrain trouble at all. The 3.1 V6 is a solid motor. Only had to replace alternator and radiator. However, the braking system is weak and I have had to put a LOT of sets of brake pads on. To be fair, though, I have driven the heck out of this thing. I drive hard and fast about everywhere I go (except in school zones and neighborhoods!!) and shes been right there with me.