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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  A reliable SAAB for the rest of us - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Hank Ryan - May 10 - 3:56 pm

  Weve had our Maxx for 14 months and 14,000 miles. It has exceeded my high expectations. The car is well- designed and, except for its truck front grill (an example of whats wrong, and who should be fired, at GM), well-styled. The build quality is excellent --- proof that GM autoworkers in Kansas are as good as those working in Japanese-brand plants in other parts of the USA. If this car had a Honda or Toyota badge, it would probably be the best-selling passenger car in the USA. Of course, we dont know how it will stack up against a used 2004 Accord or Camry in five years. So far, it looks like it can compete with them on TCO.

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  A perfect SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Trina - May 10 - 3:44 pm

  I really have to say that this SUV is wonderful. The heated seats, navigation and back up sensors (dealer installed) are wonderful. It is roomy and the DVD keeps my children quiet which is Priceless. The vehicle is a smoother one than my previous Expedition. The take off is much quicker and the seats are very comfortable. I would tell anyone with kids to buy this if you want peace of mind. The on star is a added security feature I cannot imagine being without.

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  orboaters 02 2500 Avalanche - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By orboater - May 10 - 7:41 am

  Use as a daily driver. It is a bit thirsty driving around town but not bad out on the highway considering the size of the engine. Bought to pull boat and am not a bit sorry. One great tow vehicle.

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  2008 5.3L Z71 Regular Cab LT1 - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By MiYow - May 9 - 6:53 pm

  I have a 2008 Regular Cab Z71, 5.3L V8, Flex Fuel and AFM, 3.42 gears and all of the interior trimmings you can get. I got an amazing deal, $7500 cash back! I cannot even begin to explain how great this truck is. I love it! Its so sharp and the drive is so smooth and turning radius is very tight. I am so glad that I bought this truck. The secret to the AFM is to use the V8 to get to your speed (55 to 65 is the "sweet spot"), let off the gas slightly until the V4 kicks in then gently back on the gas and hold it to the next hill and repeat. You will see that you maintain the same speed and get 40+ MPG expressway. Learn when to get off it.

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  Great Riding Workhorse - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By greenviewconst - May 9 - 4:30 pm

  Super reliable truck with a great ride despite being heavy duty (2500HD). Will pull large equipment trailer with no problem while carrying a load.

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  A Good Value - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By EddieC - May 9 - 1:59 pm

  I leased my Malibu last fall and have found it to be a superb vehicle. My car has the 3.5L V6 and plenty of get- up-and-go. I drove the Accord, Civic, Camry, and Corolla, but none of them were this nice for this price (I got mine for around $22k). Ive got nearly 10,000 miles on it and had no problems at all. I get about 30 miles per gallon with about an even balance of driving in town and on the highway.

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  Super Value - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Pete - May 9 - 10:10 am

  I cant imagine another car that provides so much fun and excitement for the price. Weve driven our C6 on two long trips and arrived feeling much better than we would have in our Chrysler 300 (and its a pretty comfy car). I love the performance and drivability and my wife loves the style and comfort. Its quite an improvement from our C3 which has been "demoted" to show and parade duty only.

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  exceeds expectations - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By ggrajek - May 9 - 10:00 am

  Wow, I have been driving this beast for 8 months and i still enjoy jumping in just for a ride. Great versitility, I only wished I would have found one with the xm radio pre-installed. I have owned 2 suburbans and this is much more usesful.

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  C-5 needs needs a little tweeking - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By RASB - May 9 - 10:00 am

  Overall I enjoy driving this car. Performace is the key. Comfort is the icing on the cake.

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  From a Corvette Addict - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By dfontanese - May 9 - 10:00 am

  This is my 7th Corvette (74, 75, 84, 89, 92, 98, 01). Ive had both coupes and convertibles. Obviously, Im addicted but the best part of ownership is when Im washing it and people stop by (especially kids) saying how they always dreamed of owning one. It makes you feel priveliged to be able to own and drive one. Keep waving!