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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  LOVE MY CAR - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By LEE ANN - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR. I HAD MY FIRST WRECK IN THIS CAR, NO ONE HURT. MY CAR DIDNT LOOK THAT BAD, BUT HER CAR WAS REALLY SMASHED. THAT LET ME KNOW HOW WELL BUILT MY CAR IS. I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY CAR EVERYDAY, AND IT HELPS TO KNOW THAT IT IS A SAFE CAR.

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  Love My Trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Scoman - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Excellent SUV. I love everything about the Trailblazer. There is not one thing about this SUV that annoys me. Its totally awesome. The best Vehicle purchase I have ever made.

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  Best Truck Ever - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Onoisland20 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This truck won me over!!! It rides smooth and very quiet... The engine sounds awesome

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  Love it - (the 3.6L V6 model) - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By BB - March 7 - 5:26 am

  I owned a base model Malibu previously - and knew that they were reliable cars. This time, I wanted the nicest car I could get. Heated leather seats, remote start, and sunroof were on the top of my list. I expected to pay $30K for this car. Husband got it for $24K. Its quiet, looks classy, and is fun to drive. A good choice all around.

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  LS Review - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By paramedic13100 - March 7 - 2:00 am

  This car has taken me through hell and back without once burn. Great build quality, and good performance. I put it through an average of 35,000 miles a year and it just smiled and kept on running. Best car Ive had so far. 140,000+ miles and still running strong!

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  mini van - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By ltimer - March 7 - 2:00 am

  best van we have ever owned

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  Malibu Baby - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Candie - March 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best car i have ever driven. its not too big and not too small its really good locking and it drives smooth and comfortable this is a really wonderful car.

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  Simply awsome - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By LSCAV - March 6 - 2:00 am

  at first i wanted to get the 2002 cavalier model that was out but i waited longer and when the 2003 came out i loved the new body style and went to check it out and drive one and now i own it. I love it!! My first new car and i have no intentions of selling either. It is also my 3rd cavalier after owning a 1991 and 1994 model which were very nice as well but only base models and were very good on gas as the new one has already proven.

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  excellent car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By al m - March 6 - 2:00 am

  this car is outstanding, excellent buy.

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  Great Car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By David S. - March 5 - 8:03 am

  Both my wife and I just got Cobalts (one each). She went from a Cavalier I came from a Jeep (I miss my Jeep). I do have to say that this is one of the smoothest drives I have ever had. The interior is excellent and the mileage is nuts!!!