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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  Outstanding - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chevy - August 12 - 10:16 am

  Wow. I only got a 2 WD 4.3 V6 but still havent got stuck been through fields after a week of rain with no problem. Pulled people out of ditches. drives in the snow in ice like not other truck i ever own. out does dodges and fords V-8 with out any problem. Never owned anything but a Chevy. Already got two people who own new dodges to trade it in for a new Chevy.

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  Me n Maxx - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By JR - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I bought an 06 Maxx LT with 70k (43,500 mi) on it, in October 09. Its whisper quiet, fast, gets 28-30 mpg, and I love the looks. The one complaint I had was the clunking noise coming from the steering column that seems a common complaint. I sprayed some lubricant on the steering shaft (under the dash) and no more clunk! Its a great alternative to the bigger SUVs and for my needs, very practical, with the folding seats, and removable rear deck cover. The 3.1 L V6 gets the job done quite nicely. Love it!

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  Get used to more! - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Michael - August 12 - 10:00 am

  You have to sit in this car and drive it yourself to believe how nice it really is. We currently own a Corolla but decided to take a look at this car and I have to say it reminded us of a much more expensive car Acura TSX comes to mind - a car costing 10-15k more. This is supposed to compete with Civic and Corolla??? Sit inside both of those then take a look at the Cruze. High quality materials all around and a quiet refined interior. Very well done!

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  Double the pleasure - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Camaro Crazed - August 11 - 5:46 am

  I have owned at least 300 hundred cars in my life time most of them muscle cars so I speak with a more experience than most and I am not trying to brag just want to put more of an explanation point on my review. At any rate I love my Inferno red 2SSRS so much I bought another one in white but Identical in every other way. It is the most impressive off the show room floor car I have ever owned. I love looking at it, driving it, touching it etc. If you dont own one now you need to go all the way and get a 2ssRs and if you cant afford that get the 6cylinder one in a manual trans which will make it feel even more powerful than it is already 304 hp not bad for a six.

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  Great price : Great car - 2016 Chevrolet Spark
  By Roger - August 10 - 6:43 pm

  This is the perfect city car.

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  Maxx - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By kierkito - August 9 - 11:43 pm

  Been very happy with it. Only thing I wish I could add is remote start and heated seats. When you buy one in WI they come standard but this car was a rental in Florida. Dont they want heated seats too?

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  Great Drive - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By tom herber - August 9 - 8:56 pm

  Ive been driving a Dodge for 10 years. When I first looked at this vehicle, I couldnt wait to drive it. Im very happy with my decision to purchase this vehicle.

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  2004 Malibu LT - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By dstracker - August 9 - 4:08 pm

  Easy to handle, and a pleasure to drive. Close the windows, crank up the CD volume, and life in traffic isnt so bad.

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  First New Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Zach - August 9 - 2:46 pm

  I purchased this truck after having a 1991 Nissan Ext Cab 2WD and it is great. I average 22 MPG, mostly on the highway. I use the OnStar to run fire/EMS calls to find addresses. I love it. I may make aftermarket changes for performance, but its great right off the lot.

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  Vehicle crash - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By marilyn gibbs - August 9 - 11:25 am

  I had a side impact crash in January which is bad way to find out how safe this vehicle is. It was totaled, but I walked away without a scratch. I loved my first one, but went out and bought another one. The only difference is the color. I love this one and feel safe.