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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  2007 Malibu - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By TOM CRAWFORD - September 15 - 1:33 pm

  I purchased this vehicle for a daily commute of fifty miles. I had been driving a Mitsubishi Galant with 120000 miles on it. My Malibu had 27,800 miles when I bought it off lease. So far I have driven over 1000 miles and have discovered that my mileage at 45mph is 43 mpg, at 55 mph its 39mpg and at 70 mph it is 35 mpg. I am overly pleased with the mpg as well as the ride. I am 63 and 280 pounds and I have tons of leg room in the front drivers area. It is a lot of fun to drive and will probably purchase another one

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  Wheel Alignment & Steering Shaft - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By CB - September 15 - 12:38 pm

  Rear wheels not adjustable for alignment. Had tire dealer put adjustments on aftermarket. GM would not support this action after-the- fact. Heard of police car recall in effect for a similar problem but GM would not standby or admit to failure of virtually same problem on my vehicle.They did not allow under Chevy extended warranty. Required new intermediate steering shaft at 57,000 miles. Drivers door leaks during rain.

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  Loved this car - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By shane - September 15 - 10:50 am

  I am not a review writer, but I wanted to say a few good things about my Aveo. I was just involved in a roll over accident. The car got decent gas mileage and mostly was a commuter car. I have taller boys. one is 63" and was comfortable in the back seat. We decided to save a few dollars on a trip an took this car. To no fault of the car we went into the median and rolled 3 times. We all had minor injuries, but basically walked away from a roll over.

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  Good value - 2005 Chevrolet Classic
  By Dave - September 15 - 9:16 am

  2.2 ecotec is best 4 cyl GM has ever made. Its quiet, has decent power and low maint with 28mpg. Suspension had some squeaking, but some graphite powder on the bushings has taken care of that. Thats the only problem Ive had in 6000 miles. Audio system stinks and I replaced with Alpine deck, Infinitys in the front doors and Pioneers in the rear deck. Ive mainly owned Hondas and Toyotas but this was such a value I couldnt pass it up and so far Im happy with it.

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  Great Basic Transportation - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By SC Driver - September 15 - 5:01 am

  This is a very good car for a fair price. Fuel economy is great on the highway in the winter averaging over 32 MPG, but the AC decreases this to 28.5 MPG. Fit and finish is good and the car is holding up well fairly well even when driving it 13,000 miles/month. In short, the cost per mile calculation for this car has been better than any vehicle I have ever had. Where and tear is beginning to show at 3 years, but I will be getting another Impala next month.

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  04 Malibu broke GMs mold! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Cliff Cline - September 15 - 2:00 am

  General Motors broke the mold when they built the completely redesigned Chevy Malibu for 04. The new Malibus sporty and aerodynamic with a fresh look and classy feel. Its got an aggressive accelerator that unleashes the excitement of a 3.5 liter V6 with 200 horses but gets a shocking 350 mls to a tank on city streets and 400+ on th highway. The on-board information center is reassuring and the standard features make this car almost perfect.

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  My third Monte - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By My third MC - September 15 - 2:00 am

  my third MC and the most fun. Had a 77, 95 and now an 04. Would recommned! Its an exceptional drive if you like a sport suspension. My last MC (95) has 146,500 miles on it and is in great shape. It influenced my purchase this past weekend...

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  Fun, Small, Defects - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Tomcat2010 - September 14 - 9:03 pm

  This is my first car. Im 16 and I love this car. Good things are the get up and go it has despite it being a V6. It is comfortable too. Ive only had it two weeks but the guy I got it from had it since 99 and has never replaced the AC, which works great. It does creak if I turn the wheel all the way one direction and start moving. The worst part is the K-mart cheap plastic on the inside. Some pieces were already broken when I got it. For a 9 year old car with 113,000 miles it, it is in great condition and works great. I love it.

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  Love my Impala! - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By GirlyGurlCarlover - September 14 - 1:35 pm

  I bought this car because of the high safety ratings. It proves to be a well built and reliable car. It has a nice exterior design, classy look, without being too trendy. The interior is very nice. I love the dash with the woodgrain interior. This car offers lots of room inside and has ample trunk space. The V6 engine makes this car a joy to drive. I love the alloy wheels and the design of the car. The bold look of the car is very sophisticated. I went into a store and bought a six foot long plant, to my suprised this fit in the inside of the car. I didnt need to use the trunk. Good gas mileage, smooth ride, nice design and reliable. Who could ask for more? Now I want the 2010!

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  Unbelievable - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Ollie - September 14 - 11:32 am

  I traded my Mustang GT for this car. I have always been a Mustang guy, and Ive owned a few. I couldnt pass on this deal. This car is absolutely amazing. I cannot think of another car that can match the performace of this car for the price. Dollar per HP this car absolutley destroys the Mustang, you pick the year. Short of a supercharged Cobra it cannot be touched. And the SC Cobra better be careful because a slightly modified LS1 makes that a drives race. Stangs are OK but youll go broke just trying get it to keep up with a stock LS1. No kidding this car literally will dominate 95 percent of the cars you run up against on the street.