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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  consumer - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By patrico cobalt - May 1 - 2:00 am

  this car has a quick and responsive engine and it very quiet and smooth. i am very impressed with my stereo system which is a cd player. the cars a/c unit cools off very quickly. this car is a great buy and this one that i now have is my 5th one i love them. they are a beautiful car.

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  Malibu Challenges the Imports - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Mark Davis - April 29 - 8:46 pm

  My new 2008 Malibu 2LT with the 3.6L V-6 is truly a standard-bearer for GM. I was not considering purchasing a domestic car until driving this amazing automobile. This car boasts 252 h.p. coupled with a versatile six-speed automatic that has quick, sure shifts and propels you quickly from zero to sixty. Ive owned Nissans and Hondas and this is just as solid with marked improvement in quality control, performance and materials. My wife has a BMW X-3 and 525-I and this car compares favorably to those vehicles which are twice the price. I love the XM and OnStar which only adds to the incredible value in this sports sedan. Chevy hits a home-run and levels the paying field.

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  How I feel - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Vanessa Roberts - April 29 - 5:23 pm

  I love this car, its very comfortable to drive. I think that it eats a little too much gas, but since I bought it, I dont seem to mind driving. It has plenty of leg room in the back, and the exterior is gorgeous.. I think that all of the cars should have a six-disc CDchanger. I would definitely recommend this car to someone to buy.

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  Elegant and reliable - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Azury Florio - April 29 - 3:07 pm

  The best design among Malibus

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  9 great years and 127k miles - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By EddieG - April 29 - 2:00 am

  Original Owner, this car has taken me all over the country and back. Has only needed routine brake and tire maintenance - ZERO mechanical problems. Fuel economy isnt what it was 9 years ago, but still better than most cars on the road. And one of the sportiest cars for its price range!

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  First Car last car - 2016 Chevrolet Impala
  By Michael Mitchell - April 28 - 8:09 pm

  My first car 51 years ago was a Chevy, Havent bought one since until I test drove the new Impala LTZ. Very nice, I came out of a CTS which I liked a lot , I like this at lest as much for $20,000 less.

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  I like it for now - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By CP - April 28 - 2:43 pm

  I had nothing but used vehicles prior to this, and for the reliability and affordability, you cant beat it. The V6 purrs on the open road, but can be choppy in stop and go traffic. I really wanted something bigger, but until I can afford it, this is a great transition vehicle.

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  Sweet ride - 1990 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jderen - April 28 - 2:00 am

  The stock car has great handling and power. The interioe is well planned and the T-tops add the feel of a convertible without compromising the structural integrity of the vehicle. Almost infinite possibilities to make aftermarket improvements to the engine and suspension. Absolute best car for the money. With the right after market add-ons this car can run against any foreign or domestic sport ride.

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  1998 Chevrolet Lumina - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By dale061327 - April 28 - 2:00 am

  I have driven this vehicle for 77000 of its 103000 miles. Only parts to be replaced over its lifetime are ignition key lock cylinder and the generator. Other than this there have been no problems. The vehicle has just had its mandatory annual state inspection and passed flawlessly. Its a good car. Too bad they stopped manufacturing them!

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  THIS CAR IS AWESOME! - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By BlindSk8erPunk - April 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 19,000 miles in late september 2002 from bill heard chevrolet.Since then it has been my primary mode of transportation,as well as joy rides.This car will SCREAM.I changed the cd player to c Pioneer Premier 220 watt & put a 1600 watt amp with thwo audiobahn 10 inch subs in there & it sounds incredible.Gas mileage is around 18-20 if driven conservative.Dies off if driven like every now & then a car this powerful requires. Expect to be watched by cops and chased by racer boy teens.