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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  Gotta love it! - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Good thoughts! - July 18 - 11:01 pm

  Great car for the money. I love the gas mileage but without the A/C on. I have owned my Malibu for 10 months and am very satisfied with my purchase. I have three children and there is enough room for them all. I highly recommend this car to others looking for a reasonable, cute, car.

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  Great overall car, very reliable - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By David - July 18 - 10:01 pm

  I bought this car looking for a car that would start everytime. This car has yet to fail me. With regular scheduled maintnence i have not had to put any additional money into it. The car gets excellent fuel economy for the stress I put it through. I drove 300 miles with 3 other passengers with the AC on 5 the whole time there and i got 29 MPG highway. I thought that was awesome!

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  A great car! - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bob - July 18 - 9:31 pm

  I had a 2002 before purchasing the 2006. And while I liked the old one, there were a few little things that really annoyed me with it. The new one is really a great car! It has better quality interior, better ride/handling, nicer instrument panel, nicer closing doors, better fit and finish, less road noise, faster, the list goes on! Also, the new xenon headlights are great. I noticed the handling difference in the car (better) immediately leaving the dealer. I have the 6 spd manual. I took it on a 600 mile trip and got 31.4 MPG. I dont think theres another car made where youll get this type of performance/mileage combination. Im extremely happy with this one:)

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  Not your Fathers Impala - 2016 Chevrolet Impala
  By Terrence Carpenter - July 17 - 2:25 am

  Excellent ride and handling. Gas mileage around 23MPG. Go with the V6. the power is greater, and the MPG is about the same as the four cylinder. This vehicle rides like a luxury car. without the high price tag and need for premium fuel.

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  Sweet Action - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jeffthegreat - July 16 - 7:27 pm

  Ive had this C6 for 5 days now. It is my 2nd Vette, and im so glad to be back in one. I traded in an 06 BMW 330i which was really beyond boring. While practical I just had no fun it. The heads up display, the seats, the obnoxious roar of the engine - cannot be topped by any other manufacturer. The only complaint I have is with the cheap plastic interior. Come on Chevy, get rid of it. The pick up on this beast is beyond anything I expected. The C5 I had was really powerful and fast, this one blows it away. If youre looking for an exciting car, something to put a smile on your face...get one! You will not regret it.

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  Workhorse - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Magnus - July 16 - 7:15 pm

  Ive owned for over 10 years, great for the family, boat and overall workhorse. Only wished I had purchased the larger Suburban. Chevy should build all thier car/trucks this well.

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  2004 Monte Carlo Pace Car - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By novaracer63 - July 16 - 5:01 pm

  Just bought my 2004 LS that was the original pace car at the NASCAR Races in 04. She had 54, 000 original miles on her.......Took a long trip over Christmas and averaged 34 miles to the gallon....very impressed. Having front wheel drive was also a plus since I did sell my Suburban for this car. Locally owned and that person purchased directly from the woman that owned it right off the Chevy Lot. (Did notice there is some kind of noise in either the steering column or in the left front end...any ideas what it could be....all the maintainence has been done prior to my ownership of the car.)

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  Marvel of a Machine - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Adriana C. - July 16 - 3:43 pm

  This car drives and handles great. My first experience was questionable on rusty brakes from sitting in the dealership yard. I got new brakes on it and tires which made it drive beautifully. To be honest, I saw the car and loved it - the exterior is so noticable but not outrageous. You can point out people who have the Impala be it from looking to the front or back. I like that feel it gives of owning a car with a titled history and a better future. The space, reliability, and fantastic miles per gallon it gets sold me in the end. As a college student and a festive problem child who loves to drive - this is the ultimate car to fit all my needs.

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  Avalanche Exceeded Expectations - 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Stephen - July 16 - 3:16 pm

  Given the price of gasoline, I was a bit skeptical in buying this vehicle. However, after completing a 2,000 mile trip to the Pacific Northwest and back I was amazed at the MPG I attained. I averaged close to 22MPG on our trip! Granted, I wasnt towing a trailer, however, for the size of the vehicle and the fact that we had loaded the rear bed with luggage and other travel gear, I was still pleased. The fact that the dealership had discounted the truck $12K from the $38,500 MSRP was the icing on the cake. It was equipped with the on road suspension package, sunroof, XM radio, Bose system, luggage rack, rear entertainment system, leather seats and electronic air. We love it!

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  Great bang for your buck - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By tmelton24 - July 15 - 10:13 pm

  The longer I drive it the more I love it. The price was great, more options for my money than the Mazda CX-7. Have been getting 26 mpg. The ride is smooth and comfortable. My sixteen year old son (who is 61) loves the back seat that slides back. Everybody says it looks like a Lexus.