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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  99 Chevy Malibu - 2 kids & still going. - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By maitwo - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Other than major dealership problems, the car itself has been reliable.

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  Nice Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By nagyflys - June 4 - 8:23 pm

  This is my first Chevy truck. Im very pleased with it. I havent had it very long so I dont know how the build quality is or the reliability. Hopefully good.

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  performance vehicle ...late 90 - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bill...chevySS - June 4 - 2:00 am

  This Sporty looking family car has the muscle and style..Its been a pleasure owning, I have drove 60k miles..Never a problem...The only part that i have changed is a water pump in all these miles..Except for period maintanence..Ex.oil,plugs,filters.This is one good Chevy!!!!

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  huge, fast car - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By jasonholiday - June 4 - 2:00 am

  This car was the overhaul best sedan Ive been in. Leg room up front is huge, Im a big guy and can still stretch out. Car is fast, and still gets 23mpg on average for me (chevy says they get 29hwy, but mine gets less). Tires are expensive to replace and my steering makes a crunching sound- also have had small antifreeze leak that they couldnt fix and problems with the car starting. Only have 37k on it, too.

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  Lumina LS - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Berdock - June 4 - 2:00 am

  Nothing fancy about this vehicle, But its reliable roomy and very sound transportation.

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  My Treasure,2000 CorvetteConvertable! - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By My Treasure - June 4 - 2:00 am

  0ne year later the dream became a nightmare to this date. First it started with 5/6 trips for the fuel gauge sensor, locked sterring, 2 alternators, 4 batteries,3xs headlight motor, cd player, 4xs body control module,3xs foglights, 2xs trunk would not open,dealorship lost my keys, Leaving a few others out Im sure. And the hits keep coming!I guess I have been blessed until now. Im not alone, which does not provide me any comfort. GM offered me a 10 yr. warranty to rebuild my confidence. I want a car I can drive! Not continue to be at service.PLEASE. What an ordeal. Guess Ive had enough.

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  Maximum Maxx - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Saler - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Just returned from a 4,000 mile vacation in this car. Gas mileage was better than expected-- especially in the hilly terrain of Pennsylvania and Virginia-- 36 MPG! Plenty of pick-up climbing hills and passing. Still cannot believe all the adjustments on this vehicle. I can customize almost everything to my own liking. Comfortable long drive, with drivers lumbar support and adjustable seats. Love the features on the steering wheel; can maneuver everything with your thumbs without taking eyes off the road.Could fit a lot of cargo and still be able to see through back window.

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  What problems? - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By soldoncars - June 2 - 10:00 am

  What a wonderful decision. This truck has been reliable and trouble free since day one. Its even been rolled onto its side! Plenty of power from the 4.8 V8, and it gets decent gas mileage, around 17MPG. No major problems, other than the power steering pump needing replacement at around 34,000 mi. Seats need replacing, the brake pedal is downright soft, material quality is questionable, the steering is heavy, and the AC has a WEAK air flow on full blast, though temp is cool. Rough ride, but that can be expected. Look carefully at this. Verdict: If its reliable, then forget material quality, buy the car.

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  good truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By ICMack - June 2 - 10:00 am

  For being a 4 cylinder it has good power and great fuel efficency. I have the automatic and I get 20.8 in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The transmission is smooth.

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  New Kid on the Block - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By H Janssen - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Truck comes lowered which ,along with the 50 series tires, combine to emit a disconserting semi "hobby horse" ride quality on non asphalt freeways.Typically ,the partitions in the concrete slabs can bring on an affect not too distant from that of feeling as if the tires are out of balance.The power is adequate- especailly at the higher rpm levels designed in the new 3.5L mill but the initial low end grunt of the now defunct 4.3 V-6 is missing.Comfort levels and economy seem to be excellent and the new look is refreshing and aggressive.Wish the towing capacity was a bit higher but for everyday use I think the new Colorado will be just fine.