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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  Loving this Car! - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By bev73 - February 27 - 4:08 pm

  I have had this Equinox for 3 weeks now and I love it more each day! So fun to drive and I feel so safe in this bad weather weve been having.

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  "BEST OF THE BEST" - 1993 Chevrolet Corsica
  By LUV MY CORSY - February 27 - 2:57 pm

  I have had my Corsy for 16 years and I have had no Major issues with it. @ 185K miles its still running great! Only normal wear n tear items, I also have the water leak at the windshield thing therefore the 9 for build, The paint issue with the Chevy bright white hit mine also where the paint starting with the Roof peeled off so a 9 for exterior design, I know they had a law suit for the paint but I missed that recall notice by one year when it started...but I adore the body style and the interior room. I will drive it until I cant drive it any longer- I wish there was a comparable vehicle in this day and age- If I could buy another NEW one I would!

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  Powerfull car - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By nbcar - February 27 - 7:08 am

  This car preform! Car can take anyone on the highway. awesome acceleration. comfortable and joy to drive.

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  best suv - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By nbcar - February 27 - 7:04 am

  This is the best full size suv for your money. It is the best vehicle for long rides and can fit 8 people and all their bags and still have space to run around. Bose radio system is great.

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  Nice Looking Auto - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bob - February 27 - 6:53 am

  Car is fun to drive, great sound system. Traded 2001 Impala for this model. The 2001 model ride was more comfortable and gas mileage was also better, almost always got 30 or better. The best mileage with 2006 3.9 engine 25 to 28 on freeway. Leather seats are nice but uncomfortable for me. Had to take it to the dealer three times to get keyless entry programmed. One FOB was missing on delivery. After ordering 2 FOBs and a receiver, dealer finally got it working, took FOB from another new Impala off lot to fix it. Only 1 gas strut for hood, no key lock for trunk, no dome lights in rear seat area, cost reduction I guess. Driver Information Center is nice.

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  A very cute car! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By ladygreeneyes - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Love the cars interior, comfortable, easy handling, visual ability...unfortunately the stats on fuel mileage by the manufacturer are not accurate...they state 22 city/30 hwy...Im getting 17+ to 19 Hwy. The dealer service is telling me I "have to break the car in...give it at least 1200 miles". I didnt have to "break" my Impala in...it was right on the money!

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  2004 Malibu LS - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jack2 - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Extremely satisfied with the Malibu LS. This is the first new car I have owned for two months without having to take it back to the garage. For those who find the headrest too close to the back of their heads, I suggest they remove the headrest, turn it 180 degrees and reinstall it. This will place it in a more conventional position.

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  Monte needs an 8 - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Gary7568 - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Love this car but it needs a V-8 with rear wheel drive!

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  Bought it to Tow Travel Trailer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mjwencl - February 27 - 2:00 am

  My Trailblazer LT has had no problems what so ever and I have 10,800 miles on it thus far. I chose this vehicle over the full sized rigs because of the I6 engine. This engine has a wide torque band and a 275 ft/lb of torque. I ordered mine with the 4.10 ratio rear axle to give me 6200 lbs. of towing capacity. The I6 engine is very smooth running and fun to drive.

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  Bills new 2004 Chev - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Bill Craig - February 27 - 2:00 am

  I was impressed the first time I drove this truck by the smothness of the 2500 HD 4 wheel drive. Much improved over previous models ride. Although the truck still has less than 700 miles I have notice that the gas mileage is improving as the miles add up. The progamable features which allow custom features is much better than the fixed features of earlier models. Power and towing is impressive. I have towed my John Deere tractor (6000 lb + 2500 trailer) up an gravel road incline on my ranch and the truck did not show any signs of slipage of the transmission or lack of torque from the engine.