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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  2nd Express Conversion - 2004 Chevrolet Express
  By mike1955 - April 28 - 2:00 am

  We just got our second Chevy Express Conversion Van with an Explore conversion package. What a dream boat. With the special Platinum Paint and six spoke alloy 18" wheels this van turns heads. Rides like my Caddy and performance is outstanding, both in fuel economy and power to tow. In the large van catagory, its the best game in town!

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  2002 malibu owner - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ELOZA - April 28 - 2:00 am

  IVE HAD MY MALIBU FOR 3 YEARS AND LOVE IT MY SISTER A 1997 MALIBU THATS WHY I BOUGHT MINE THE TIMES SHE LENT ME HERS I AUTOMATICALLY KNEW I WOULD GET ME ONE

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  Love this car! - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By RockStarAME - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Before purchasing this car I test drove a number of other cars: Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Dodge Neon, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Echo, and Toyota Corrolla. I liked each of these cars, but as soon as I drove the Chevy Cavalier I knew it was my favorite. I love the sunroof, and the exterior, in my own words, is very cute. I havent driven it long enough to be able to review its reliability, but in comparison with the other cars I think it has the best look and interior comfort. It also has good visibility, which I was having a hard time finding as I was updating from a 1993 car that has great visibility.

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  Solid, sometimes overlooked choice - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Tam Burai - April 27 - 9:10 pm

  Everyone who recommended that I get a Camry or Accord raised their eyebrows when I said I had chosen an Impala. I got it for its E85 compatibility, the wide bench seat and column shifter, and the great fuel economy for a V6. It is quiet, smooth, and looks and feels a lot better, more quality, than an Impala I had rented a few years ago. Im very happy with my purchase, and the dealer was willing to slash the MSRP on this new 2007 model.

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  Mamas got a new Car!! - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By 2004 Trailblazer - April 27 - 6:13 am

  I received my Chevy Trailblazer for Christmas in 2004, and I love it. I was driving a Mitisubishi Montero Sport and I thought I was in love with it, but when I drove the Trailblazer to the end of the road, I knew this was my destiny. I love it. I love it. I love it. When I drive it, I feel like I am sitting on top of the world. It is great. I named it "Blaze"

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  awesome - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By mtzgmoney15 - April 27 - 2:00 am

  It is really nice you should get one if you want a truck it hauls ass

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  I love my car! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ShandaW - April 27 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car about a month ago and Ive had no problems with it at all. It gets up to speed real quick and it handles real good. I bought it almost new so the tires were still good and the interior is beautiful. The only thing Ive done is put better speakers in the back.

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  Siverado 2500 HD - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Jerri - April 26 - 2:23 pm

  One of the best trucks I have owned. We sometimes tow our 55 Chevy to shows and you never know it is back there. A lot of low end torque, great truck.

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  Best in Class - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jowhel - April 26 - 11:43 am

  Took a trip to Nashville the week after we got our LTZ and enjoyed every minute of it. The ride, comfort and performance was superior. Weather conditions turned bad unexpectedly with a snow and ice storm, we just slowed down and reached our destination safely and without a lot of stress. Boy, did we get a lot of attention at Operyland- the Tahoe that is!!!

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dave - April 25 - 4:40 pm

  Even though I just purchased this car a few days ago I am totally amazed. Im 58 yrs. Old and have had many new cars in my driving years. In the short time Ive had it I have never felt about a car like this Malibu. It not only looks like a more expensive car it rides like one too. Its so comfortable and quiet. It has lots of extras as standard equipment. And geez, its so quiet on the road. I actually call it my limo. Great job Chevrolet ! Oh yes, it gets great gas mileage too. I traded a 2005 corolla for this and on the average my average mileage for the corolla was 31-33 mpg. For the Malibu in similar driving Im averaging with the 4 cylinder just over 27 mpg.