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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  I like the MAXX - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By ADLS - June 12 - 10:00 am

  We have only had our Maxx for a short time now, but enjoy it. We have taken a short 1 hour road trip, and found it really comfortable. We bought the LT 1SA package. Depending on the wife, I hope we keep the car.

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  My First Monte Carlo - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Antoine Santiago - June 8 - 9:30 pm

  This is my first sports car. I have always wanted a sports car and I choose the Monte Carlo. I love the new look and its a large two door coupe, with plenty of inside room. Its also an American car and I believe in the support of American made cars. The monte carlo is a fun car and ladies love it.

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  Very useful vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Timesplitters - June 7 - 10:00 am

  This car will give you the most bang for the buck when it comes down to price and actual usfulness in a sedan. It fit a full size lawnmower out of the box without a problem with the rear seats folded down. With the recling and adjustable sliding rear seatsand and a sunroof, the passengers in this car will feel at home. The standard 200 HP engine has a great deal of power and low end torque. The transmission does seem to shift harder than it should when a little extra gas is given. Chevy delivers with a vehicle that has the utility, versitilty, and price to get the job done for the person that wants the extra space in a car.

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  Phils Cruze - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Virgil Phildius - June 6 - 9:43 am

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  Duramax - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Rodney - June 2 - 1:33 pm

  I have very much enjoyed my truck. It has been great in the snow and driving in the mountains of the western U.S. It had no trouble pulling a 27 foot trailer through the mountains of Wyoming. Good brakes and good handling. My wife fights with me over who gets to drive it.

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  Monte SS - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By NEONAL - June 2 - 1:06 am

  Have only had car six weeks but thoroughly enjoy it. Very smooth acceleration and comfortable ride! Gas mileage not great, but power is good!

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  A real looker - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Georgetown, ON - June 2 - 12:36 am

  I have had my Sunburst Orange HHR for 7 months now. It sure gets a lot of looks. The pickup is great and it handles well 3 seasons of the year. I have 3 complaints though. It does not handle very well in the snow. (important feature up here in Canada) The cupholders and electric window buttons are awkward to reach. Other than that I absolutely love this car.

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  Chevy Silverado 2500! - 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By william_f - May 31 - 9:18 am

  This was my first Chevy buy, and it is a blast. I will never go back to a Ford again. The Silverado is very reliable, and easy to drive. I bought it about a month ago and it has had absolutely no problems. It is a must buy if you need a new car.

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  Chevy Comes So Close - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Bill - May 29 - 9:06 am

  Never owned a Chevy before buying the HHR but the looks of this caught my eye when the first "spy shots" were posted on the web. Really a great car for the money. I bought a 2LT with pretty much every available option and the car has not disappointed me at all. The acceleration is better than I anticipated and my wife loves the heated leather seats. Now well see how it fills the bill for tailgating this Saturday. If Chevy had just put more thought into the placement of the cupholders, spent a few dollars more on the power window switches by placing them on the door where they belong Id have no real complaints.

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  Dont Buy - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By tbeckys - May 29 - 9:00 am

  We bought this truck and have had nothing but problems from the start. First the heater and air conditioning went out. Then the transmission is slipping. We can get the truck up to 70 mph and the front end feels like it is coming off. Shocks have been replaced. Tires are worn out at 9000 miles. Front and back end make a terrible creaking noise going over speed bumps or rr tracks and there is no end to what this truck has problems with. Chevy and GMC refuse to take care of the matters at all so we are stuck now with the worst truck we have ever owned! The 2007s are no better with the same problems as this truck has. I will never buy another one.