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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  Fun car! - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Lou Cole - October 18 - 2:00 am

  True sports car with the great control for the road. Power to burn. Super stable at high speeds. A real head turner.

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  Love the Style! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Lou Cole - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Drives like your always on a new road. Great to change from six passenger to hauling cement in two minutes.

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  Love those Blazers since 1982 - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By christina Savo - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I have driven nothing but blazers and trailblazers since 1982. I get a new car every two years. They provide me with total comfort, safety in all types of weather and reliability,.. meanwhile my friends are taking their cars to the dealerships. Each time I buy a new car, I consider all thats out there...and each time I choose again a chevrolet Blazer and now a trailblazer. They have made me a loyal owner for over 20 years now. Thanks Chevrolet and GM!!

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  I love my car! - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Rheamh - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 04 cavalier about 2 months ago. I couldnt be happier with it! I have always liked the cavaliers. I will never own anything but a chevy! If you buy a cavalier be prepared to be amazed!

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  WOW...This cant be a Chevy! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By cphrwk - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I am truly amazed at the redesigned Chevy Malibu. I used to hate going to National car as all they would have were the predecessor Malibus. This is totally different, fun to drive and not the old Malibu. The car has german stylings, a stiff but absorbant ride thanks to the Saab 9-3 platform, comfortable interior that isnt cheap looking and a host of features for much less than the Accord or Camry. I bought the only remaining silver green metallic LT in the PA/NJ/DE tri-state area and have gotten 3 remarks on how nice the car looks when filling it up at the gas station. Not that I have to fill up too often because gas mileage for a 200hp 6-cyl is great. Average 26- 28 in a mix of driving.

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  Better than stated mpg - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By noyego - October 16 - 9:40 pm

  Like many of us, wanted a car with better gas mileage, but didnt want a subcompact. Bought car as a program car, saved a ton of money. Good interior. Ride a little bumpy, but might be because was used to driving a towncar. Excellent gas mileage for the size of the car.. I am getting 25 city and a little over 34 mpg on the highway. Good leg room. Has an excellent information center, tells you when to change oil, tire pressures, instant miles per gallon, avg mpg, outside temp, compass, and a lot more usefull info. All controls on steering wheel, radio, air, cruise, etc.

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  Shari review - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Shari Votava - October 16 - 2:00 am

  It is fun to drive, it handles good and is a great vehicle to drive.

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  Great family truck - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By dwkkmk2 - October 16 - 2:00 am

  I had looked at the Ford Expidition, as well as the Excursion. The ride and creature comforts on the GM won hands down. The Autoride rides like a Cadillac Limo, The DVD is great for the back seat crew, and the bose speakers w/xm is spectacular sounding. Onstar assures quick emergancy response where ever you are.

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  1998 Chevy Malibu base model - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Rodney Gipson - October 15 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I purchased this car 6 years ago with much research and a visit to the auto show. Weve had some problems here and there, master cylinder, engine computer system replacement, alternator. These repairs were spread out over the six years.We originally wanted a Camry but it would have cost $24,000 compared to 18,500 we paid for the Malibu. Even with the above mentioned repairs, this car has been excellent considering its been our only car. Both my wife and I drive this car everyday and it gets driven quite a bit every day. The gas milage is still great, and highway performance is excellent. Had we had a second car this car would be in mint condition. Still happy with this car.

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  Family Ride - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Miller4 - October 15 - 2:00 am

  We replaced a GM Family Minivan with Suburban. Comfort, room, performance and ride exceptional. Safety of Family offsets the decrease in Fuel Economy. Wife and Kids love it, Dad wishes he could drive it more.