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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  2003 Impala LS 3.8 liter Review - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Douglas M. De Barry - May 17 - 10:00 am

  What a great ride. Roll up the windows and the quiet surrounds you. Or better yet, turn up the GREAT sound system and tweak it to your liking. Ive averaged 24.8 MPG so far, and a lot of that is stop and go Saint Paul- Minneapolis driving with the A/C on. The leather package is worth the extra cost. Firm yet cushy too. The power drivers seat lets you stretch out if your a "big" person like me (6-1, 235). Lots of leg room, and comfort for those in the back seat too.

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  This is the top of the line truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By LOVEMYTRUCK - May 17 - 10:00 am

  I just traded my 2001 in on a 2003. They have made this truck so great now. The Bose stereo is so nice. Sounds great. Plus the controls on the steering wheel is a big plus. What can I say about a truck that ranks number one each year.

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  Just a really nice Chevy truck! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By JohnnyAndKim - May 17 - 10:00 am

  This is a really nice truck! It has a nice style, inside and out. The interior is not cheap like some reviews that I have read. The truck is very comfortable to drive. It took me alittle while to get used to the extra length especially when parking due to the extended cab but the payoff is all the extra room. The backseat also has more room than other trucks than I have seen. There is plenty of power with the 5.3 V8 and the ride is smooth. The fuel economy is better than I expected with a big truck with a V8.

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  We love our Malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Spencer - May 17 - 9:48 am

  Buying the Malibu was a complete accident. It was dark on the car lot and we werent looking for a Chevrolet. The interior and exterior styling and the roomy interior blew us away. We have put 30,000 miles on the car in two years, long distance and local miles. It has a peppy 6 cyl. engine. Visibility for highway driving is wonderful. We get 38 mpg on highway driving - almost 500 miles to a tank. (no lie) I can drive it from southern Ohio to Buffalo before filling up. It camps: Rear seat folds down and makes enough room to take 2 people, the dog and all the camping gear for several days comfortably. There was a steering column issue- replaced free no more troubles.

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  Excellent value - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By donsaxton - May 16 - 9:23 pm

  Very quiet, competent and responsive ride on this nicely equipped sedan. Transmission struggles at times to provide modest acceleration, very responsive when you need rapid acceleration. Attractive interior.

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  Best Truck in the World - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 100% Chevy - May 16 - 12:20 pm

  This is the best truck ever. Completely redesigned. The gauges sit nicely in view. Got it with Texas edition with the trailering package and 20" wheels and it was perfect height. If you think its too tall for you try a car or a small truck, or some other chick vehicle. Traded a 96 Silverado and the turning radius with that rack and pinion really improves a lot. Great gas mileage for a truck with this performance and trust me I have a heavy foot (two tickets already).

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  Pumped - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By kcwlaf - May 16 - 11:35 am

  I bought my 04 in Dec 07. I have always wanted one but couldnt justify the price. Well the price was right and I got my new toy. It is my company vehicle and my daily driver. Makes me feel like a young man again. Top down is incredible and a great attention getter (nearly causes many fender benders) I had a vinyl wrap put on with my company logo and I tell you it is the cheapest and greatest advertising you can get. We put woodgrain accents above the fenders and on the gate. This baby looks like a true 40s roadster. Ive owned over thirty vehicles in my life but this one has got to stay. My future grandchildren will have the opportunity to drive this one. Thanks GM!

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  4 door wonder! - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Luvmyaveo - May 16 - 11:13 am

  I can not believe how much fun it is to drive this "babycar"! My friends call it my Jelly Bean and they are astonished at how much room it has inside, and how much we can haul with just 2 of us. We fold the rear seats down and off to Costo we go! This car has the heart of a Corvette, and the fuel economy of a smart car. It is a treat to drive and own!

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  Pleasantly surprised - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Ray - May 16 - 8:02 am

  The last GM car I had was a company issued 2002 Cavalier. So I was vehemently against another GM product when shopping for a new work vehicle. Until I drove the Cobalt. Now I know that I am not going to be scaring any WRX or EVO owners on the roads, but as far as getting from A to B with good mileage and a nice style, its hard to beat this Cobalt. Plenty of power for any city driver. A very full featured head unit(Aux input!). I was surprised at roll up windows and no power locks, but in the grand scheme of things, Ill take the better radio and forego those options.

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  Best Car Ever - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Pete - May 16 - 1:43 am

  I am thrilled with the new Impala. A way better car than the Ford 500, and performance, fuel efficiency, and interior space are beyond the Camry and Accord. Interior styling fit and finish are awesome and a hugh improvement over prior Impalas and most of the competition. The plant that built it in Canada has the highest qulaity of any auto plant on earth according to JD Power, so I expect a trouble free ownership.