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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  Well, you get what you paid for.... - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Violette - September 7 - 10:00 am

  Yes I will be zipping around but Ive had my problems. The car has already had the computer replaced, about 3,000 miles ago, that dealership at FL-GA border - do not recommend - took 6 hours to locate a rental and was given "tips" by others who got their car in record speed. My dealership, however explains well and is very friendly/helpful, even though they cant find the "new" problem yet.

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  WHAT A BRUTE! - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By LOTROLL - September 7 - 10:00 am

  AWESOME PULLING MACHINE . 8.1L/ALLISON TRANNY . PULLS 8K LIKE IT IS NOTHING. MAKES ME WANT TO BUY A BIGGER CAMPER.

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  Leased 2 impalas -- 3.4 and 3.8 LS - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ed Liss - September 7 - 10:00 am

  Best cars I ever owned. Tight, trouble/maintenance free. No problems whatsoever. 3.8 handles better than 3.4, which has just adequate power. Lease on both is up 9/02. Looked at new Deville, spoke to current owners and mechanics. All gave thumbs down to Caddy. Looks like Ill be getting 2 new 03 Impalas.

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  Love My Chevy - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Tigger - September 7 - 10:00 am

  I had a 1996 chevrolet Extended cab and I loved it! We traded it in in 2001 February for a 2001 Dodge Durango! Boy what a mistake that was! I hated the Durango! I loved the room, but the insurance, the gas mileage and the fact that from June until August it was in the shop for A/C repairs we decided that we should go back to Chevy! We would have never gotten rid of the 96, except we needed the 4 doors! Wow What a trip! I love the 01 truck! Could not be happier!

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  Got me wondering! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By ann - September 7 - 9:34 am

  I love the look of my HHR. I do have a few issues with it. I have had more visits to the service department (other than routine servicing) with HHR than any other vehicle I have owned. I had the same air condition problem twice, brake problems, raining in the vehicle, starting problems, outside mirrors stopped working, etc. Maybe I just got the bad one out of the bunch. I now worry about what will happen when my warranty ends! I have talked with Chevrolet & the dealership. No one seems to understand my concerns. I had planned to keep this vehicle for a long time. I am now very seriously thinking of trading it off! I bought the vechicle brand new. Never had these many problems with other cars!

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  Best kept secret Aveo - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By deucecoupe - September 7 - 9:04 am

  Bought the LT Aveo. What a great suprise. Good looks. Great mileage 27 city 35-39 hwy. Great stereo system. If you want a car that gets graet mileage and you dont want to pay through the nose for it get an Aveo LT with the moon roof, youll love it..

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  Love this truck - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By MMiller - September 7 - 1:16 am

  I wanted a tough and comfortable truck which would be my daily driver. I also wanted a truck to do a little plowing in the winter and haul a trailer on weekends during the summer. This truck is perfect for everything I need. Very comfortable, great to drive, looks great and the interior is nice. I have the 6.0 ltr crew cab with the z85 trailering suspension package, skid plate, camper mirrors, and integrated trailer brake. I also got the bluetooth and remote start. I have owned the dodge with the hemi, that truck does not compare. The exhaust is loud for a stock system fyi, but anyone buying a 2500 should appreciate the deep tone.

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  A great family car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By MaxxLover - September 6 - 11:30 pm

  Our Malibu Maxx has proved to be a great family car, loaded with unexpected features which enhance its utility and appeal. From delayed door locking to remote starting capability, there is lts here to enjoy. While I have seen some critics of the cars electric steering, it feels fine to me, a former BMW driver. The interior is spacious and well designed. All in all you will enjoy driving this car - and it looks good too.

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  Best SUV ever - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By lovemytahoe - September 6 - 10:08 pm

  A great choice for comfort and performance. 5.3 liter V8s are also Flex fuel which is a plus. We have gotten as high as 21 mpg. on the interstate at 80 mph burning gasoline. What a quiet highway vehicle, with power to spare for towing our jeep. Very few minor things have gone wrong, two replacements of the radio, a sensor etc. We love this vehicle and plan to keep it a long time

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  Sad, Disappointed, and Frustrated - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Teri - September 6 - 6:10 pm

  I bought this car because I needed a roomier vehicle, which it is compared to the Saturn I had. Im sad and disappointed because I have had this car back to the shop 4 times due to a gas smell and jerky, sluggish motor on acceleration. Many things have been repaired but the jerky, sluggish motor is still there. Im frustrated because I love the look of the Impalas (always have) and I had a Lumina for 4 years that gave me absolutely no problems, loved that car! The Impala just doesnt compare and hasnt been what I expected. GM certainly has gone down in quality!