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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  Real American Sedan - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Alice - July 1 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy my Impala. I do a 130 mile/day commute and find it to be very comfortable, good on gas, and because its a full size sedan, I feel as if I have something to protect me against all the big SUVs on the road. Five adults can fit in the car very comfortably. Smooth, quiet ride. Minimum maintenance. Never let me down. Good in the winter.

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  Great daily driver - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By amp108 - July 1 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car and very reliable. I have never had to have any major work or any problems with anything on the car. The car gets very good gas mileage (25-30) and is quick compared to other compacts.

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  HOT MAMA - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By flos smith - July 1 - 2:00 am

  VERY NICE CAR RO DRIVE THIS IS THE BEST

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  Check it out - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By HG - June 30 - 5:43 am

  If your looking at the CR V you should check into the 2010 Equinox. Would never consider a GM before but this car changes that. Brought a LT no Navi, 6 cylinder. Im really happy with my purchase it handles well the interior is excellent and looks great

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  GREAT TRUCK - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By ianns27 - June 30 - 2:00 am

  I could not be any happier. We had a 1997 blazer that we sold about a year before we got the Av. The blazer was nice but my Av is great. The comfort is nicer than many large cars and I am getting almost 17 mpg on the highway. And the guys at Homedepot and Lowes love to see me coming!!!!

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  final gm do something right - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By cheuk - June 29 - 10:16 pm

  quiet.stylis..cabin..large room in back.pricing fair

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  A very good car - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Pianoman - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I have no complaints except the fuel economy of this car. We have had it for a year now and I dont think I could find much better. We purchased the car at 12000 miles for $8900. We feel we literaly stole the car!

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  Happy, Happy, Happy - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By hernandezfam - June 29 - 2:00 am

  A little apprehensive at first to buy such a big truck but after driving around, I found it was easier to drive than it looks.The ride is smooth and the back seats are roomier in comparison to the Silverados. Great for the family!

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  The joys of a used HHR - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Chris - June 28 - 6:32 pm

  I went out looking specifically for a used HHR for my business. I happened to stumble across my car via anot her car finding website. My "must haves" were a moonroof and Bluetooth. My car was advertised at a ridiculously low price compared to others on the site. Went to the VW dealer that had the car and bought it after they took another grand off "because the website price was wrong". No joke. That was 2 years and 49,000 miles ago. Since then the car has needed NOTHING other than standard maintenance. I bought it with 85,000 miles and was really worried about the 100,000 G.M. fall-aparts. Im at 134,000 and as I said, apart from oil changes, a set of tires and one visit to the dealer for the ignition recall, nothing has broken or gone wonky. The only thing I see as kind of a negative is although it gets within its EPA gas mileage ratings, I feel that gas mileage could be better. I get a consistent 24 mpg all-around but feel it should do better. All in all, its a great little car and I wouldnt hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

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  New Malibu everythings better... - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By fanofgm - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Just traded in our 00 Malibu LS for a new Malibu LT, WOW! Silver Green with all the options. Sharp, quick comfortable car. Drove to families house (3 hours away) and dont have one complaint. Improved in every way from the old bodystyle. In my opinion better than the Camry and yes even the Accord, in my opinion. If your looking at a mid sized car make sure you look at the new Malibu.