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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  Amazing Car - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Jusamazed - February 3 - 9:10 am

  Bought it because its actually a Toyota Corolla, minimally re-skinned, but all Toyota mechanicals. I drove it until 2005, then gave it to my son, who still has it. Fluid changes, tires, one battery, one fairly recent set of rear brake pads, thats it, and its 10 year old this month, and still running like a top. Its still on its first muffler, for goodness sakes.

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  Never again - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gregory - February 2 - 9:26 pm

  I usually dont say never but in this case I will never buy another Chevy for the rest of my entire life. I have had three and the Impala SS is the worst because it cost the most. This car has 36000 miles on it and its burning oil, the plastic is shedding its skin, warped rotor on right front. Rear view mirror wont remain tight. Carpet is cheap and there is a clunk in the rear end when going over bumps. I got ripped off and I will never ever buy another hunk of junk like this. As soon as I get enough of this loan paid off its back to Japan for me. My used Dodge was better then this car was new.

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  Worst Vehicle ever - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Keith - February 2 - 5:14 pm

  This vehicle has been my worst nightmare! Has had over ten thousand dollars worth of repairs. Repairs had started at twenty thousand miles and has not stopped. Something is always breaking down. I have lost all faith in the big three. With this economy my money needs to go further just like everyone else. I am going with Toyota. Reliability/quality is a must, which the big three cant provide.

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  05 Impala (best decision I ever made!) - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Nickalas - February 2 - 4:56 pm

  I have the top of the line SS Impala and I was suprised that the supercharged engine got such great fuel economy. And it has a little kick to it when you step on the accellerator.

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  Incredible value, fun, and built strong - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bryan - February 2 - 3:13 pm

  I am thrilled with my Malibu LT. I got bored easily with Accord, Toyotas, Jetta, etc. Malibu is an excellent traveling car - rides securely, corners great no bobble-head ride like in the 2009 Corolla XLE (same price!). It is quiet, with an excellent stereo (you can enjoy dance music) and cold A/C - not like the weak A/C on many cars. When I needed to tow a U-Haul, I bought a hitch and wiring for my Malibu - its a secure and stable tower. That is because Malibu is a stout, well-engineered vehicle that has the extra braking strength, and suspension capability built-in. The interior looks more expensive than it is - same outside. I couldnt find a better sedan for the money. Pittsburgh won the 2009 Super Bowl - could they be better? The Malibu is a seriously great car. My family and friends like it too - even though they drive Nissan Altima, 3 series BMW, and Cadillac CTS. Did I mention the fuel mileage is good? Hint: Premium perks it up if youre in the mood.

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  LOVE THIS CAR !! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By queenbee - February 2 - 1:10 pm

  Well driving this car is a blast! I get looks and looks no matter where I go people have followed me just to see it Ive had construction men wave me down to stop just to ask me what it was since I was the first in town to own one ~!

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  Understand WMS limitations - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By cag123 - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Should have read ALL reviews before buying. Water Management System does not meet my needs for dry cargo space. Tried to salvage vehicle investment with Snugtop/GM XUV cap. X = eXpensive, but would be worth it if it kept water out. It doesnt. Snugtop sales said "Of course its watertight"; now service says "weather resistant not waterproof"; no other response to dealer request for help. Have owned truck 33 days (25 with rain), 500 miles. Am trading it in tomorrow. Performance item: auto. transmission slow to downshift (book says to floor it!), but may be normal; have had manual transmissions for 35 years.

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  Great Tow Vehicle! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Hobojack - February 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck to pull my 31 Airstream travel trailer. Put 10,000 miles on it from February-April this year. This vehicle is awesome! Does a GREAT job. VERY comfortable. I got ALL the options I think.

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  love my LTZ - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By love my LTZ - February 2 - 10:00 am

  This was the best 36000 I ever spent. COmpared to the price and comfort of the Mercedes ML 320 that I looked at before buying this, the Trail BLazer blows it away. It rides like a car and has many features for a family, (dual radio and climate controls). The only problems encountered were with the electronics. The seat would not move into position sometimes when ignition was started, and side veiw mirrors seem to have a mind of their own and not stay in set place.

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  Great Driving Car - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Hobojack - February 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car and did not expect it to be this much fun to drive. It is an LS model with antilock brakes and the "Traction" feature. I test drove it on a very rainy day and tried to make it skid. I couldnt do it. Thats a big reason I bought it. And, here I was just buying a 2nd car so I wouldnt put extra miles on my 3/4 ton 4X4 Chevy Avalanche.