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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  Malibu Maxx, An Excellent Buy - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By R. E. Laws - April 19 - 2:36 am

  A fun to drive low cost vehicle! The looks are great. Even for a big man, the interior is comfortable. Only drawback, gas mileage could be better; however, since it is so much fun to drive, maybe I am at fault there. Do not care for the thumb operated switch on gear shift lever. Even the instruction manual doesnt explain its operation. Hatchback---great!

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  08 Summit White LTZ NAV DVD Sunroof Load - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By First Time Chevy - April 18 - 10:02 pm

  I am a lady that bought this as a surprise for my husband. I love it so much that Im probably going to buy one for me next year. I love the rear assist camera, heated seats, and power retractable steps. I was a previous Camry owner and Ive never owned an American car before. If this truck lasts for 10 years like my Toyotas, Ill never buy another foreign car again. I am super impressed with the Chevy Avalanche.

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  Economical to drive - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By TOMMMMMMMM - April 18 - 7:52 pm

  I purchased my 2006 Malibu LT at auction. It gets 34 mpg highway and 30 mpg driving across mountains. It displays outside temperature, mpg average, a trip a and b and fuel range before fill up. The seat has adjustable lumbar support and height adjustment. Its a really nice car for the price. The rear seats fold flat and the passenger front seat folds flat. Im impressed with the quality. I paid $7800 and it has 49k miles.

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  american classic vrroom - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By sketchbone - April 18 - 5:52 pm

  Bought a black 1LT manual earlier today and Im already hooked. My 4 year old g35 was giving me no problems, but I was aching to get a new American car to help my fellow citizens as theyve helped us in the NOLA area since Katrina. Initially thought the cadillac CTS was the car to get. Then I thought, why not an American icon? Got the new vette for the low 40s ( a bargain), took about 10 people for a spin already. What a beautiful sweet deep voracious sound that corresponds to the darting acceleration as I step on the gas pedal. I only wish the sound system were a bit better( unable to locate the upgraded bose with a non-Z manual transmission). No matter, the motor is music to my ears.

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  Red Malibu LTS - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By McKinney Malibu - April 18 - 5:36 pm

  This was my first American car purchase in over 15-years. I tested the Malibu versus the Acura TSX, Camry and Accord. There was no comparison. In addition to being a great value, the luxury car-like styling, comfort, quiet ride, interior room and taut suspension closed the deal. With this car, GM is (finally) world class.

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  Great Truck! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Lourot - April 18 - 7:43 am

  I have over 70,000 miles on this truck and it has never seen the inside of a shop for repairs. Routine maintenance is all thats require. Replaced the factory tires with Michelin ltx when they wore out and that has improved the ride and wet traction considerably.

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  Gave up an C5 for this, few regrets! - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By C5Convert - April 18 - 6:50 am

  I traded in a 2000 Corvette for this car and I am very pleased. I have had far fewer regrets about giving up the C5 because of the Impalas goodness. The Short Block V-8 sounds great and the car is extremely fast. It handles very well for a family sedan, and though it is not a Corvette, it is still a lot of fun to drive and is far easier to live with day-to- day without giving up all of the "fun factor". Pay attention to this one, if you want practical and sporty! I have a hard time remembering that it is a front drive car- very neutral compared to some other front drivers Ive had, unless I really floor it hard from 0 mph. Build quality is excellent-no defects. Great Job Chevy!

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  My 4th Malibu - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Irene - April 18 - 3:46 am

  I have been driving Malibus for a long time. This has been the nicest one I ever got. I traded in my 2004 Malibu and got a good trade in value for that car too. This car rides so smooth and you have plenty of pick up for a 4 cylindar car. My last one was 6 and I can barley tell the difference in the pick up. The gas milage is much better too. I love the XM radio and the OnStar which I did not have before. The controls for the radio on the steering wheel are nice and the hands free phone service. My car seat fits well in the back and leaves plenty of room for two more people to sit. The trunk holds a lot and is easy to load. I love my new Malibu

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  My Dream Car - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By M. Biagini - April 18 - 1:34 am

  Got this as a Christmas gift Dec. 07. We are a Corvette family, with my mom owning a 82 and also a 2005. After driving both of those I was ecstatic to get in my 08 for the first drive. This thing handles like nobodys business, so smooth and responsive. I love all the little gadget-y stuff (like the OnStar, GPS, heated seats are fab. in the cold NY winters). The push button start took some getting used to, I prefer to turn a key myself. Also, getting in and out was a comedy of errors until I figured out how its supposed to be done. My only real complaint was an extremely squeaky roof. Every time I hit a bump, squeak, squeak. Dealer fixed it no problem. This car is amazingly sharp!

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  chevy, like a rock - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By tlw0131 - April 17 - 7:19 pm

  Bought my Blazer 2 years ago used. Buying it used, from an elderly woman I expected problems. Had to replace brakes and 2 rotors and water pump. From age, and not being maintained. Since then just the brake switch, heating core and a new distributor cap. Has 156,000 miles. Drive it to school and home all the time (130 miles) been off roading plenty. Great 4x4 for its size. With the right maintenance I feel anyone can keep any car running good. Its still as red as any 09 red car. No fading. Oh. The ac compressor doesnt work, but I prefer the Windows down anyways.