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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  Very much surprised at 4 cylinder performance - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By IRWIN RABIN - July 29 - 7:12 am

  I am very happy and satisfied with my Malibu. I have arthritis, and found that the adjustments to all hand and foot controls made it easy to get in and out on drivers side. I am an old Chevy truck manager for a dealerahip in Long Island, NY and am happy that GM has put in coveniences for comfort and easy handling.

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  Very Happy with my Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
  By mike - July 29 - 5:56 am

  This is the first non big block gas truck that will actually tow and haul large loads without having a gear too high and a gear too low to tow with. The 6 speed with 4:10 gears works great and doesnt hunt. I can haul my slide in camper with a towed or hook on to the 30ft enclosed 6 place sled trailer and head to the mountains 1200 miles away. It handles remarkably well for its hulk size and the ride quality is excellent. I get 12-13 in the city and 14-16 on the highway which I cant complain. I had a 1500 5.3 which did great but I couldnt do anything with it. I have had absolutely no issues with this truck and love it.

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  This car is a steal at this price. - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By hanktohendrix - July 29 - 4:50 am

  Three weeks ago I bought a black 2LT with 3.6l V6 option. I drive 2 hours each way to/from work. Ive already got 3,000 miles on it. I paid right about $23k, even with the bigger engine thanks to a $3,000 off coupon I got in the mail. I get 26mpg combined. If I ride it gently on the weekends I could get better, but thats usually when I have my fun. Instantaneous mpg is at 30mpg if I set cruise control on the highway! The ride is smooth and quiet, better than my dads luxury import. For a mid-size sedan it gets an awful lot of looks and compliments. It doesnt quite satisfy my appetite for speed/style, but Im not willing to pay for gas on a Mustangs V8.

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  Wow! - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By moning - July 29 - 2:06 am

  The ride is smooth, and seating is great. My back doesnt hurt on long drives. Its powerful for what I do. It has better gas mileage than my trade-in did, and it was a 2004 Frontier. The steering is light and quick. Large mirrors enable me to see other traffic with less blind spots. Its a great truck. I really like it.

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  Power Pack V8 - 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Mike - July 28 - 7:09 pm

  Large families may need the CrewCab?

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  Whats all the complaining about? - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Bill - July 28 - 3:08 pm

  I cant believe how poorly people rate the cavalier. This car is inexpensive, fun to drive, great looking for its age (almost 10 year old design) and gets great mpg even with the 2.4 dohc. The more time you spend driving it the more you like it. If people want luxury options they shouldnt rag on the cav. Its an economy car on paper but feels like a lot more when you actually own and drive daily. Stop the complaining. Keep your delusions of grandeur to yourself. Full coverage insurance on the car is very very reasonable. I have full coverage, live in Manhattan and spend less than 1000 a year.

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  dream - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By alias - July 28 - 11:32 am

  its a blast to dreive this car!

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  Mileage Great - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By AttyVH - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I just drove over 3000 miles on a trip and averaged 31 mpg. Most of the trip was with the AC ON. Had all the pickup when necessary. A very confortable car to drive. With XM radio, made the trip even better.

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  worktruck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By brewbrother - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Recently purchased a 2004 Silverado worktruck package. I use it for outside sales. Comfortable to drive. Im averaging 23 mpg which I consider good for a full size truck. The v-6 has good performance and great acceleration from 3 gear through 5.First seems to be geared a little low for avewrage driving. second is wound out at 40mph. Interior is roomy and instruments and controls are always at hand. Its quite a bit better than the dodge dakota I traded.

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  Mom/family car - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Robert&April Wheeler - July 27 - 9:56 pm

  I love my car for the fact that it has saftey features on it. I wish it would of had side airbags. I now have 18,699 miles on it. We went to the tip of TX, and going down I got 34mpg. By the time we came back, I got 36, not bad. This is my first brand new car and I plan on keeping it untill 100,000 miles. I take very good care of it because I want to know that when I get rid of this car that I gave them a good car. But the thing I like about it that it has been around since 1987 and that a thief cant take my car or stereo and if we were in a wreck all electric is shut off. I am well please with our car. Just cant wait for electric/gas cars.