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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  watch tune ups & timing belt - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By little red - April 17 - 3:42 pm

  My wife & I love the car even after downsizing from a mid-size auto. I was shocked when I was told about the car requires a 400.00 tune-up, coolant change every 36000 miles and a new timing belt after 60000. Dealer never mention that at the time of sale!!! Other than those items the auto is nice for the $$$$$$

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  07 Aveo LS sedan - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By corvette owner - April 17 - 9:49 am

  I purchased this car this month in order to get too and from school. What a great investment. this is my first manual transmission car and "BOY" is this little thing fun.It looks good going down the road and is an overall great car. Not to mention this thing will take you 400 miles on a single tank of gas.

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  Amazed by a GM - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By pooder - April 17 - 3:40 am

  I purchased this vehicle strictly for comfort as I am 6 tall. I found it to have the most creature comforts for the money, and, its just plain old fun to drive.

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  I like this SUV - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Chris Richgels - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Super good highway cruiser.

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  Handles well in accident - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jeckmoore - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I loved my car. I owned it for 4 days before I got into an accident. It handled very well in the accident and onstar called right away. This is truly a beautiful car. I also considered a Mazada6 but I felt the Malibu felt more sturdy. I hope it will be the same when I get it back.

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  love my new Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By car brother - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I have the car just over 24 hour and I am having such a good time with it. Ive recently owned Saab 9-5. Volvo 850 and we currently have a Jag X-type. The Malibu holds its own very well against these cars. The fit and finish is very good.

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  Good family 4-door sedan - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By memann - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The new 2004 Bu has excellent steering (electronic assist), lots of room, convenient dash instrumentation, and the remote start feature kicks &ss! It isnt a "flashy" car, but Im sure some aftermarket products can spice it up, if thats your thing. I recently sold a 02 Honda Accord and can say that I prefer the handling of the Malibu. However, Honda has a lot more interior style. The ONLY knock I have on the 04 Malibu is luxury. There is limited luxury. But for me, a family sedan is what I needed, and wanted. Great work - take one for a spin!

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  Chevrolet Suburban - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By joseph1234 - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is safe, reliable, and very fun to drive

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  Nice but could be better - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By john d. - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The first six months were ok, after that we started having trouble with 4way falshers coming on when you put on turn signal, still doing after 2years, have had in back to garage 3 times for transmission problem, it acts like it is slipping you step on the gas and the engine rpm goes way up but you do not go anywhere. Alot of wind noise.

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  Catherine Reese - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Catherine Reese - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I like how high up my vehicle is off the ground. When driving at night I hate the other headlights in my rear view mirror blinding me. I also like how sturdy the truck looks. I usually would have picked a white vehicle but this time I picked the color red (red fire. I just love the color.