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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  Good truck but lacks details - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By northern horizons - December 21 - 12:46 am

  I bought this vehicle new in the fall of 07 as a left over. I put about 40K miles on a truck per year. I have been impressed with the power and fuel economy of the inline 6. I have had less than stellar reviews for the fit and finish and the vehicle locks. The interior console is poorly designed. I hate the OnStar big brother thing and the original tires. I now have a passenger side window track that is broke and Im out of warranty in 13 mos. Ill probably keep this car for a long time but I get the feeling that its going to be expensive. If the American auto manufacturers are going to make it they are going to have to pay attention to details & stop worrying about gimmicks

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  What a waste of 21,000 bucks - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By gm sucks - December 20 - 10:58 pm

  Simply put this van is garbage. Very very cheap. Sliding door repaired 4 times. Fuel gauge repaired a/c repaired and gasket repaired all before 52 000 miles. Very uncomfortable. Resale value is horrible. Chrysler vans much better. Ride is noisy very noisy. And what pick up. 180 horses on this van are like 105 horses on Toyota Echo. You are better off paying 7 or 8k more to buy oddyssy and drive a real van that wont fall apart or buy Chrysler.

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  Left me stranded - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jimmy - December 20 - 10:51 pm

  I bought this car with 34,000 miles. Drove great filled up once every 2 weeks. Great on gas. However the gauges didnt indicate when there was a problem with the engine. The water pump wasnt connected properly. Long story short. Headgasket blew as well as the engine. Get it inspected after you buy it.

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  My first Chevy - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Ron Freborg - December 20 - 10:41 pm

  My commute is 135 miles per day, and the gas prices were eating me alive in my 22 mpg Ranger. We determined that if I could get about 32 mpg, the gas savings would make the car payment. The car felt good, the dealer wasnt pushy and although it was used it was a certified car. I have taken it to the dealer for two minor warrenty issues, and have been very happy. This is a great little comuter car, that for 2 avg size people could be a cross country car. The interior has a few issues with the cheap plastic, but for the price of this car, its quite affordable with a good safety rating. For the same price, I could have got an older, high milage Corolla without as many features

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  new lelel of comfort - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
  By bob - December 20 - 7:36 pm

  We traded in our 1 year old 2009 Malibu LS for a 2009 Malibu Hybrid 4 months ago. After rebates we spent $3k and the government will be giving us $1550 back. What a steal. We love the car and our salesman. It gets about 37 mpg on a trip or about 6 mpg, on average better than our non hybrid Malibu did. This car has to be the most underrated and thus biggest bargain out there. They are giving them away. We did not loose 20% as we drove it off the show room floor. The Kelly "trade in" for the Hybrid is more than we paid for both Malibus combined. We didnt fully appreciate the car until we had driven it for a few months. We love the way it slows you down without touching the brakes.

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  Best Car Ever - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Kenny - December 20 - 7:20 pm

  I love my Cobalt. I have never driven a car that drives so smooth. It is such a fun drive and was the car that stood out from all of the rest that I drove! I love it! I would highly recommend that you consider a Cobalt for your next car!

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  Great car and great value - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By ppa - December 20 - 9:57 am

  Excellent car and excellent value for the price. Has 105K miles, drives fantastic and has Great gas mileage (23-25mpg in mostly city driving). Paint and interior still look new. I recommend it to everyone.

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  I love my Malibu! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By sandy - December 20 - 9:01 am

  Because I have four children I have driven a van for the last 25 years and I was looking for something like a Camry or Accord. The dealership owner, a friend of mine, knew I was looking and he delivered this car to my driveway. After test driving this car on the highway I fell in love with it. I look forward to driving it everyday. I love its pickup and go, I love the XM radio, the moon roof, the OnStar, the look and feel of the car. It is a very quiet, smooth ride and gets average of 33mpg. It makes this grandmother feel young again.

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  2009 Chevrolet Corvette 2dr Hatchback (6 - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Kirkland - December 19 - 3:45 pm

  Traded in my 2004 Corvette coupe on a new 2009 4LT Blade Silver Metallic coupe fully loaded with the exception of dual exhaust. Was able to get one of the first of the new color automatics off the line. Added color coordinated spoiler and door handles, primium mats and a cargo organizer. Car looks fantastics and handles and performs to levels I did not experience with my 2004 vette. This car is not for special occassions, its ment to be driven and enjoyed everyday and thats exactly what Im doing. Mileage and storage capacity on this car is the best kept secret. This car is awesome on so many levels. You have to drive it to believe it. My new K40 radar/laser system completes the package.

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  American Muscle - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Tony Fiorello - December 19 - 12:30 pm

  This is my 11th Corvette since I was 18. I have had a pretty wide spread of years and this 2008 steals the show! Very docile in traffic but packs a heck of a punch when desired. I had a fast 1972 LT1 car that this one would probably beat, and be more comfortable doing it. The electronic suspension control really steps up to the plate when needed. Thanks Chevy, youre number 1 in my book!