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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  Excellent car - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Toxi - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Only have 1200 mi on our silver LS 4dr Cavalier- purchased over Labor Day weekend. Enjoy everything about it. Havent had snow/ice yet so dont know about the defroster. The a/c was a Godsend since that on our old 88 Mazda didnt work. We get 24 mpg running around town. Havent been on the highway yet. Getting used to the remote keyless entry. Traded in a 86 pontiac 6000 and 88 mazda 323- so weve moved into the 21st century.

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  Great little SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Kris Lehman - October 12 - 10:20 am

  Weve had the Nox for about 4 months and love it. Gas mileage is about 20- 22mpg. No problems yet. Love the moving seat in the back - has tons of leg room. Just took it on a long vacation and it worked out wonderfully.

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  06 Impala - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By scbays - October 12 - 9:23 am

  I love this car. Chevrolet did a great job on the upgrade from the 2005 models. Performance and styling compares equal to or better than any simularly classed sedan out there. This is the value sleeper of the class.

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  BEST CAR EVER MADE - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By GETLOW - October 12 - 2:00 am

  THE IMPALA SHOULD BE A ROLE MODEL TO ALL OTHER VEHICLES THAT CLAIM TO BE "MUSCLE" YET A FAMILY SEDAN.

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  What else? - 1995 Chevrolet Impala
  By Fraptician - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Loved it since it appeared in 94. Was only 14 at the time so when I became of age and started making a little money, what else? I LOVE MY IMPALA! Bought a 95 at a steal when I was 19 (though I wish it were the vette 96 edition) but still very pleased. Gets up and goes without hesitation! Was on I-20 headed east here in Atlanta near I- 285. Was doing 120 mph and it was still pulling!!! What elese?! It still turns heads almost 10 years after initial production, and thats without rims. People know an Impala when they see one. And if they dont... "Honey I seen the prettiest fastest car today. Had a deer or something on it. It sure was nice."

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  best car ive ever owned - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mag - October 12 - 2:00 am

  This is the 3rd cavalier Ive owned, and I love it. It has a smooth ride, accelerates quickly, and looks great. I have a yellow cavalier, and so many people ask me about my car. Its sporty and drives like a dream.

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  2004 trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By cah - October 12 - 2:00 am

  great styling, solid handling, good performance, overall a very good package at a very competitive price

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  USA Pride - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Frank ODonnell - October 11 - 4:43 am

  Wonderful car, looks good, runs great, nice design and 100 K warranty, what else could a customer ask for? Strong points: Exterior design. Interior design. 3.5 engine Quiet ride. Weak points: Auto light switch. Cup holders. Wife loves OnStar !

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  maximum contentment - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By webber1 - October 11 - 3:00 am

  Have had many cars and makes over the years. The Malibu Maxx is one of the best Ive owned (into my sixth year with 80K). Normal maintenace only, couple of wheel bearings, tie rod, ball joints, new steering rack and tail light assembly. Car is into its ninth year and still drives and looks great. (I have treated it with rust proofing every other year) Would consider moving up except there is nothing out there to replace it, so I keep driving this one of a kind car and loving it still.

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  no title - 2001 Chevrolet Metro
  By alan smirnofski - October 11 - 2:00 am

  great car, very reliable, and it came with a great affordable price. Im nothing but happy with my Metro. Thank You Chevy!