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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  Best Car I have Ever Owned - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bob - August 11 - 10:43 am

  This is an awesome car. It is quiet, has a comfy ride, and has a beautiful interior. I compared Accord, Camry, and Altima before buying the Malibu.

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  Had mine 2 weeks - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Keith - August 10 - 7:05 pm

  I agree with most of the other reviews. It is fun to drive. Great on gas. And many features for the money.The remote start will be nice in the winter. Im not an autoworker but I would like to see GM make the HHR at the Morine plant thats going to close next year. I think that would be a good move for GM and the people in Morine.

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  Better than an Escort - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ron - August 10 - 3:27 pm

  I bought my Nox because my back hurt too much from getting in and out of my old 94 Escort. I like it, it is roomy, and easy to get in and out of. I paid only $18,000 for it new, so my low expectations have been greatly exceeded. It does well in the snow (what little I get in Va.). Looks good, relativly quiet for an SUV, I can get all my work equipment in it. I scotch-guarded my seats, so I do not have a stain issue.

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  No defects - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By carolcarlo - August 10 - 1:10 pm

  This is the first car that I have ever owned that did not have to go back to the dealership for something to be fixed. I have not had any problems with my Monte in over 3 years. I love my dependable car. Its definitely the "Full Monty"!

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  Wont Buy Another Chevy - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By PhilNTexas - August 10 - 12:15 pm

  Bought the 2003 new, previously owned a new 2000. The 2000 my below average, but the 2003 is a really crummy car. 21mpg, too low, Horrendous road noise that the dealer couldnt fix. cant keep tires on it, 2 sets in 55k. No torque in drive without hitting passing gear. I had the extended warr, but have had constant problems, motor mounts caused the engine to strike the firewall, rotors were out of balance, replaced myself, check engine light problem, the dealer kept it 2 days, and finally said a squirrel had chewed a wire. If you believe that I have a bridge I want to sell you. Last problem was traction light came on, and dealer wanted $1200 to fix, but finally after many meeting, fixed it.

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  Probably the best! - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By B-dub - August 10 - 11:27 am

  I purchased my Z06 with 9,000 miles on the odometer. Best car Ive owned. Great mpg for a car with base 405 hp. Best recorded 31.6 mpg. Some say noisy interior but with a trunk partition 80% of roadnoise gone. Hey, its a sports car! Best bang for the buck car around. Great looks! Very quick, responsive.

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  Impala 3.9 LT is a great car! - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By jc0860 - August 10 - 10:33 am

  I love this car. It is comfortable, elegant interior, and the performance is excellent. My last three cars were Acura TLs (02 Type S, 04 and 05). I loved them but have had my eye on an Impala for awhile and decided to give it a try. I think this car compares equally well in just about every category. I miss the bluetooth of the TL, but the ride is much more comfortable. Not quite as sporty as the TL, but still fun to drive and the 3.9 engine performance is outstanding. MPG has be great. Average over 30 on the hwy and low 20s in town. Excellent for the size of the car. The car is an absolute pleasure and has restored my faith in GM.

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  Impala Great Buy - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Kevin - August 10 - 10:24 am

  I believe the Impala is the best buy in its class for the buck. This vehicle has great performance and fuel mileage. I average 20-21mpg in town with the 3.9 engine. I do not do a lot of highway driving, but a friend of mine has a 2008 Impala and he says he gets anywhere from 31-34 mpg on the highway with non ethanol gas. So far I have had no problems with this car. I believe the styling is great and have read there is one more year of this style before a body change.If you are looking for a full size car I blieve you cannot go wrong with the Chevrolet Impala.

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  stupendous - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By villman - August 10 - 10:00 am

  I love it it rides very quiet smooth and comfortably

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  Buyer Beware - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Buer beware - August 10 - 9:43 am

  This is one of the most fun, comfortable cars that I have ever purchased from GM. It is unfortunate that the quality is horrible. I have had the steering replaced 3 times, the radio doesnt work properly, the ignition has been replaced, the transmission gaskets have been replaced. The sun visor has been replaced because the glue that holds it together melts in the sun. GM does not stand behind its products. After 22 years of owning nothing but GM products, I wouldnt purchase another one. Nice ride, but horrible workmanship.