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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  Great family car - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Farrah - July 12 - 3:25 pm

  This just replaced our 98 Cavalier with 112,000 miles. Our 98 Lumina has 48,600 plus miles. Runs smooth and like a champ. Great on gas.

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  So sad to see it go - 1991 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Julie - July 12 - 3:16 pm

  I bought my 91 Beretta in 1995, and other than the usual maintenance stuff and a new alternator some years ago, it has required very little repair. It has been completely reliable during some brutal Chicago winters, always starting up immediately in the mornings. Unfortunately, the power steering fluid is leaking and the repair will cost more than this 17- year-old car is worth now. But up until a few weeks ago, this was an outstanding car. I really got my moneys worth!

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  2005 Malibu LT 6-cylinder - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Carguy999 - July 12 - 2:53 pm

  I originally bought this car to commute 76 miles roundtrip to work. Very comfortable, very reliable, very fuel- efficient. 70% highway driving has yielded an average of 28mpg. The only repairs needed have been a couple of recalls and a steering fix common for this generation of Malibus otherwise just oil changes and tire rotations. Not an exciting car, but very, very practical. I had intended to sell it now that Im retired, but Im re- thinking that. A far better value, and a much better car, than my wifes 2006 Toyota Camry.

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  Reliable van - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By earlpearl - July 12 - 1:08 pm

  I have an 05 Uplander van and I have had only one problem. The passenger side sliding door not closing. The dealership replaced the power sliding door mechanism inside the door and I have never had another problem. I love this van. I get 18 miles to the gallon in the city. I have had no other problems with my van.

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  Better than our minivan! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By D Whitman - July 12 - 10:00 am

  In general, experience has been very positive. Vehicle is very practical for a wide range of family needs. Plenty of room to carry the soccer team AND equipment. Also like flexibility of space for vacation needs. Engine performance is very good - good pickup and plenty of power to pass on the highway. eats are very reasy to fold down and variety of combinations is nice.

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  Beths Mal Maxx 2004 - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By lusherbe - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Overall, pretty happy with the car...low payments for a reliable car that has great get up and go.

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  Problems, problems, problems - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By nadlem1 - July 12 - 10:00 am

  4 steering colums,3 brake jobs , 1 muffler and 1 electric mirror Is the summary of the problems I had to live with during the last 8 months.

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  best car on the market - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Dering - July 12 - 10:00 am

  it doesnt get any better than this

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  love this cae - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By mike/bigpimpi - July 12 - 10:00 am

  i just love how fast it is.. the handle is perfect........ i am really happy wih it

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  Chevrolet Impala LS 8900 V6 - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Sonia Bell - July 12 - 10:00 am

  This car handles with ease. Nice smooth ride. We compared it with the Honda Accord EX-V6. They are almost identical cars, but we saved a lot of money. The Chevy has a longer wheel base for a smoother ride. Love the light beige color interior. We were very surprized at how the domestic cars have improved and with the extended warranty coverage, how can you lose! We were sold on the car after test driving it and comparing it to the Honda Accord. I can see savings in the bank. I like cars that are a little more streamline, therefore Impala LS beat out the rounded, chunky Honda. We have been brainwashed for foreign autos, keeps jobs here in America.