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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  Cavalier is a worthy car to own one. - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Road Runner 2000 - September 16 - 8:51 am

  Driving control and stability is excellent, especially on highways, comparing to the car in the same segment such as Civic, Corolla and Focus. Surprisingly, its even better than Camary and Accord of the same year model. The acceleration is very impressive even though equipped with a shy horsepower engine. However, the engine is torquey. That compensates for the cars weight quite well. Fuel consumption is outstanding on highways and resonable in town. Cars appearance is handsome, and roomier than the like ones. C-Pillar looks very beautiful. I like this the best.

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  Great Experience - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bob - September 16 - 8:33 am

  We bought the Malibu new in September 2003. Actually we bought two (one basic and one LS), and have been very pleased. This review is based on our experience involving the basic Malibu after 59,000 miles. Mainly interstate driving, 20,000 miles per year. Using cruise control, I consistently average 30 MPG. New tires at 43,000 miles. Replaced front brakes at 56,000 miles, at a dealership cost of $127.90. Rear brakes still good shape. Oil changes every 3,000 miles. We are happy Malibu owners, and armed with hindsight, we would make the same purchase decision as we did in Septemer 2003.

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  I waited 33 Years - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Vetteman - September 15 - 12:42 pm

  Can I just say I love this car? Ive always been a car connoisseur and have always wanted a Vette. The first year I couldnt get out of the car without looking back at it in astonishment about how good looking it is. The car rides amazingly smooth even with the Z- 51 suspension. The acceleration is amazingly fast and smooth. This car is refined beyond what most people would think. Its only downfall is that its sold by Chevy dealers and they dont know how to treat Corvette owners.

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  I love the Maxx - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Floyd - September 15 - 12:13 pm

  I looked for a truly new and clean look and found it in the Malibu Maxx. Coupled with good mileage, comfort, and features makes this American car a great value. The V6 power plant is very spicey and makes the Malibu Maxx fun to drive. It is right up there with the Imports in all areas.

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  Suburbans and mileage / ethenol gas - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Chuck Maricle - September 15 - 11:56 am

  I have had a 2000, 2003 and now 2007 Suburban. Its like a Harley and motorcycles, everything else is not a Suburban. Regarding mileage, in Houston we have Ethenol for 1/2 the year which kills mileage to 12 or so. When I can get non-ethenol gas, it goes up to almost 19+ highway.

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  Excellent - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By terry - September 15 - 8:01 am

  It does very well on the highway. I drive it on the weekends going on long term drives. The seats are very comfortable for those long rides. To me this is the best car in the world.

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  Thrilled to the Maxx! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By xboxt8er - September 15 - 12:46 am

  I will have to say I am a huge truck guy, but when I got a job in outside sales it was time to lay the truck to rest. The gas mileage on this car is great, average @ 26 mpg. The ride is very good and the 200 hp v6 is amazing. The first week I after I bought it we had to make a trip to Detroit about 1000 miles round trip. I am 61 and my father in law is 63 and we both had plenty of room in the front seats not to mention my sleepy wife and daughter in the back was very comfortable also.

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  Awesome - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By John Quinn - September 14 - 11:41 pm

  Ive owned my 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71 for about 8 months. Ive put approximately 12K on the odometer. Ive used it for just about everything, from normal city/hwy driving, towing my trailer, to several off road 4x4 adventures. Ive never had any problems other than the odometer stop functioning, and it was replaced free of charge by Chevy. It has handled every conditon, and drives like a Cadillac, smooth and easy. I have 305-70R16 Dunlope/Remington tires mounted on Centerline rims. I get approx. 18 mpg hwy and 15 city on good days driving the speed limit on cruise control.

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  Best Chevy Car Ever Made. - 1995 Chevrolet Caprice
  By DonDao - September 14 - 4:55 pm

  I bought a 1993 9C1 caprice in 2001 and I loved it. I bought a 1995 Caprice with 110k and it has more HP, and is much more fun to drive. I had to replace the AC pump since it was out when I bought it, but it wasn’t hard to do. Any Caprice from 1991-1996 are good solid cars. They are easy to fix, parts are reasonable. The car is comfortable, reliable, and is real safe to drive. The only bad thing is MPG, interior, and its a big car. I had 3 Hondas and 3 Chevys, but the Caprice is the one I love!

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  Looking, But Nothing Comes Close. Love It - 1994 Chevrolet Suburban
  By SiasSr - September 14 - 1:39 pm

  Every now and then I get the urge to buy something smaller, more fuel efficient, and newer, but then I read all the horror stories about crappy engines, failed transmissions and nightmare dealer service and I thank God for my Suburban. Ive had this truck since 03/2001, and it has been nothing but awesome. I have fixed a couple of leaks, the door hinges, replaced radiator, and replaced the water pump in nearly 6 years. Reliable, strong, and comfortable are trademarks of this truck. MPG isnt great, but who buys a Suburban for MPG. Drop your foot and hold on. You cant kill this truck. I love it.