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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  No reservations about this choice! - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Bill Oetjen - October 3 - 2:13 pm

  Hi - This is my second brand new Chevy. After a couple of Fords, I bought a used S10 pickup and found it to be reliable and cheap to keep. Then I bought a new one (this was after decades of swearing Id never buy a GM). That S10 is the most trouble-free vehicle Ive ever owned. So, when it was time for a new passenger car, I compared the Cobalt to lots of similar imports and found it to have the best blend of features, performance, and economy. The 5 speed is the way to go.

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  Winding roads - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Matt G. - October 3 - 8:40 am

  I needed a driver and I couldnt find a car that looked good or felt right. I drove the 2SS and felt the power was excessive for a daily driver though lots of fun. This cars a looker, turns heads and kids take pictures with cell phones where ever I go (its red). I love the retro interior, it reminds me of my youth and the fun I had "cruisin." Ive been waiting for the "marshmallow" styles of todays cars to disappear and chevy finally did it. This camaro exudes muscle with its looks. I only wish that they hadnt chopped the top so much. The resulting limited sight makes it difficult to predict turns while mountain driving especially when gaining altitude with the sun in your face.

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  great first car - 1994 Chevrolet Corsica
  By 19floridagirl - October 3 - 2:00 am

  This was my grandmas car before mine. I was expecting a typical "granny" car but when I got it, my first time driving it was from WI to FL. Despite its non-sporty look, I was amazed at the power in this car! I had looked at Civics and Camrys before receiving this car and I am definitely glad I got this one. Mine is a 6cyl 3.1 which I dont see on here, but I have amazing power. I havent had any problems with this car so far. I had to get some body work done after my aunt got in an accident with it, but even having it in a shop for 2 months, I still put on over 20,000 miles in less than a year. I guess big things really do come in small (and plain) packages! I see this car lasting a while.

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  Impressive - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Danger Mouse - October 3 - 2:00 am

  This was my first new car purchase & I am very pleased with my decision. This F-Body Rocks!! The car has been great to me despite some hard driving on my part. Id heard the 700R4 tranny might give me worries to date Ive had none. Ive replaced the water pump, radiator (improper cap...my fault), alternator, starter, brakes (front-5 times, rear-once), oil pan (my fault again), hatch pull-down motor, 3 sets of tires & had to repair the instrument cluster once (speedometer was broken). The headliner is falling now but all- around, not bad for nearly 13 years & 120,000+ miles! My daughter is looking forward to driving this car in two years. Ill probably still be enjoying the ride. :-)

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  What a thrill - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By kenny andrus - October 3 - 2:00 am

  What a thrill to drive. Every time you get behind the wheel, its like being 15 years old and first experiencing driving. A real head turner. Hopefully it will hold its value as predicted as mine is an investment. Has plenty of pep yet not hard on gas.

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  I Love My Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Cherie1 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN JANUARY AND HAVE JUST TURNED OVER 9000 MILES. I WILL TELL YOU I HAVE NEVER OWNED A PICKUP BUT I GOT THE PERFECT ONE FOR ME.I FEEL THAT THE COLORADO IS THE BEST THING CHEVY DID BY UPGRADING THE S-10. THANK YOU!

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  Good Vette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By bikes2kill4 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Vette, and overall the best. With a very few upgrades we got 415 hp! Fun to drive and will blow most everything else away on the street! Good job GM, if the 2005 Vette is anything close to this one a new winner is on the way!

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  Z06 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By vette6 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Best car I have ever driven, fun to drive, hugs the road and will beat the pants off a Porshe.

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  A new vette owner for life - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By AndyCollazo - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, I went into the dealership to order a 2005, and after seeing the 2004 sitting there and being able to take it home for $15,000 less... here I am, a very happy vette owner. You owe it to yourself to spoil yourself with a C5, which BTW, it ranks as the best vette of all time. Plenty of power, I upgraded the stereo to a In- dash DVD player/navigator for $2000, and Im still $13,000 under the 2005. This is the last pop-up lights dont forget that and the last C5, it should hold its value nicely over the next few years, and I dont see myself parting with it for a long time.

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  twice satisfied - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By whking - October 2 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Impala LS. The first (00) has more than 80k and has had no problems, brakes lasted until 75k. We still have it and now have 3k on 01 LS used with similar great performance. Car is underrated.