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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  Wow in LOVE - 2013 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Rebecca - June 13 - 12:42 pm

  We bought 13 traverse and love everything about it. We owned a 07 Acadia and these two are day and night.. The traverse is alot quieter and handles a lot better, we are very impressed :-) :-) :-) would definitely buy another one!

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  Best car for the price - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Lauren H - June 13 - 10:00 am

  An excellent car for the price you pay for it. It has great handling, always reliable and stylish. Ive owned two cavaliers and neither ever gave me any mechanical trouble.

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  Best SUV ever! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Constantin - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven this vehicle both off road and on highways in rain, mud and snow for two months and Im totally satisfied with all its features and performance.

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  Silverado 2003 - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Heath Borden - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Very comfortable ride due to 6-way power seats and roomy interior. The instrument panel is easy to read with extras such as an hour meter for the engine. The engine seems to be easy to maintain with the 100,000 mile scheduled spark plug change. A very nice experience so far....

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  Liking this thing more and more... - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By csandste - June 13 - 7:20 am

  Boy-- two months ago, I didnt know Id be driving one of these. First test drive seemed a bit too large (I was coming off an Elantra), plus I generally prefer a 5-speed. However, the overall balance of the car, plus its tremendous flexibility means that its a pleasure so far. Car and Driver and Edmunds both knock the engine for being an OHV throwback to earlier times, but the engine seems very responsive-- if not overly smooth, and gets great gas mileage for a 3.5 liter-- within a mile or two of my Elantra. The electric steering has also received knocks, but I find the feedback and overall road feel very good for a car of this size. Maybe GM is getting better with the 05s.

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  My truck - 1990 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Mr. Mech. Engineer - June 13 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this thing since 1989 and the only problems it has ever given me are the water pump broke at 160,000, a bolt in a seat once broke, and a wire from the battery to the starter deteriorated. The combined cost of the last two repairs was under $3.00. It is a great, reliable, and functional truck, and has power to spair. I highly recommend this model

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  Malibu Is going places - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Warren G. - June 13 - 2:00 am

  I love my new 2004 Chevy Malibu LT V6, from the outside, to the inside, its an awsome well built car! The gas mileage doesnt impress me much, but with so many standard features, and a low asking price, man, you should check it out!

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  Nice Car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Joe Zip - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Car rides very good. Interior is very good. Abnormal wind noise when driveing with window down. Console rubs my leg a little. Other than that, I like it very much.

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  My Malibu Baby - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By WMcDO2002 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Chevorlet vehicle. I have owned nothing but Saturns since 1995. I was impressed by the look of the 2004 Malibu, compared to the other models of the car. But the test drive is what truely sold me on the car. It is roomy, with having three kids, I need alot of room in a vehicle. It handles like a dream, takes corners easy. And parking in tight spaces is easy too. The 2004 Malibu is truely a pleasure to drive and ride in.

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  Chevrolet has a winner - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By parky - June 11 - 8:56 pm

  I have driven oer a thousand miles so far and find the car to be well built with fit and finish to be excellent. I couldnt be more pleased with the car, it gives excellent gas mileage and has excellent carrying capacity.