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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  93 Cavalier Convertible - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Dona - September 3 - 6:27 pm

  Boutght this vehicle new in a very cold January 1994. My old car heater just stopped working along with all its other problems. Saw this beauty on the floor and couldnt resist. Price was $14,500 and have loved driving this car. Its a very pretty little car, looks fantastic with the top down and pretty sharp with the top up too. Its that blue green color they had that year with grey velour interior and black top, no red in the body design, I hate that look. Just the black moldings, black bumpers. Early on had to replace front shocks. Believe Ive had two sets of tires and replaced the top once. Still getting compliments on my nice looking car!

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  Handles and looks great! - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Astrid - September 3 - 4:50 pm

  I thought this car one of the best cars. It handles very good like youre driving on air. Its so fast and the sunroof I got to say is a excellent feature epspecialy here in Flordia. The opitions on the wheel such as changing the station on the radio is a brilliant idea when it comes to driving. The interior is beautiful and nice.

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  Love it! - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By racegirl - September 3 - 3:54 pm

  This is the first car I have bought on my own. I love it. It is sporty and very realiable. Very good gas mileage!

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  At least this Cavaliar is great! - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By rusty - September 3 - 10:29 am

  Great pick-up. Great on gas savings. Room enough for a chubby driver. Looks real good. Easy to keep clean.

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  An Elephant in the Alps - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bill - September 3 - 6:00 am

  I got this car in place of a Porsche 911 S and believe me, this car is no Porsche. Its huge for a "sports car". A sports car is supposed to be small, powerful and nimble. The Vettes handling is comparable to an elephant trying to perform on the balance beam at the Olympics. Sure, I like the power under the hood. 30 horses with the dual mode exhaust sounds great, but thats about the only thing thats great on this car. After driving BMWs, Z cars, Porsches and even my Mercedes E350, I am very disappointed in the way this cars handing and appointments are for the money. Cant anyone in the U.S. build a "sports car" at least in the league of the afore mentioned. Pitiful.

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  The Camaro SS is a modern classic!! - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Hunter - September 3 - 12:49 am

  I have had my Camaro SS for almsot 8 years and it still puts a smile on my face! The SS makes a statement whereever it goes. I have spent a small fortune modifying my car but that has always been the beauity of GM performance cars, ample aftermarket parts available. The SS gives the exotic car looks without carrying the exotic car price tag or hefty repair bills!

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  Quality At a Great Price - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bill - September 2 - 1:37 pm

  What an exciting car! Not only did the Malibu catch my eye on the road, I couldnt resist owning one after I saw it. Only a couple hundred miles so far. Cant wait for my first road trip.

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  lov n it - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By phat car buyir - September 2 - 10:00 am

  awsome car must buy!!

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  Excellent so far! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By lindsyriches - September 2 - 10:00 am

  Though I have only had this car for less than a week, I have only found one thing I dont like. The recirculate button on the AC is not the default when you turn the car on. I had a honda and it was always the default.

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  Bye Bye Diesel - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By David - September 2 - 7:33 am

  I had an F-350 when the fuel went over 4.68 a gal I had to get rid of it. Ive always known Chevy was a good ride. This truck is great so far, I do find I drop power once in a while going around corners like a fuel hiccup. Its only second or two but it feels strange. The fuel mileage was great while I was watching it but it drove my girlfriend nuts so I stopped (took it off instant miles per gallon) since then my avg fuel mileage went from 16.5 to 15.8 so watching what youre doing while driving helps slow stops and gradual speed take offs does a lot. I also am a bit frustrated with the seats I cant keep the lint off.