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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  Trading Down - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Tom G. - January 5 - 1:06 pm

  Recently traded in our 2005 Tahoe for the 2006 Impala, the main reason being the price of gas. The Impalas ride, performance and gas mileage are very respectable, as is the interior room. The new look for 2006 puts it right up there with oter cars in its class. Interior nice, but a little on the bland side, as is most Chevys.

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  Doesnt stand out, but very good overall - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Submariner - January 5 - 1:00 pm

  After six months of ownership, I am very pleased with my 2006 Malibu LT V6. My two previous cars were a 1998 Malibu LS V6, and then a 2002 Ford Taurus SE. Compared to the 98, this picks up where they left off, the engine, going from the 3.1L to the 3.5L is great! The fuel mileage is fantastic (I average 450 miles out of a 16-gal tank on pure highway driving, whereas the Taurus was lucky to get 400 out of an 18-gal tank, and the Taurus had a smaller engine!) I thought the engine-transmission combination on the Malibu could use some extra gears, to keep up with the competition, but the transmission in the 2006 Malibu mates beautifully and provides excellent power on demand.

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  I love this truck! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Pat - January 5 - 7:33 am

  At 170,000 miles now, this truck runs like new. The 4.8 motor has plenty of power, and still gets upwards of 22mpg - although it doesnt do as well in town driving (maybe 14-15 mpg). But compared to other full size trucks, that dont get as good mpg, and some have less power, this truck cant be beat.

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  Great Little Car - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jim - January 4 - 7:05 pm

  Great car, with good gas mileage, performace, quiet, good ride quality and handling

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  Back to my roots - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Glen S - January 4 - 6:56 pm

  Reluctant to purchase a domestic car after years of owning Toyotas. Couldnt pass up the incentives. Surprising so, its a much better car than I expected. It handles well, is quiet, a much better looking interior than the bland Toyotas, and its very versitle when it comes to hauling those Saturday morning purchases. Only time will tell if the quality has improved over my last Chevys, I sure hope so. But its still a good feeling to be back in Chevys, a good old USA product.

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  Fun, Pretty, But In The Shop Alot - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Mamabug - January 4 - 5:24 pm

  I adore this truck. Its my first, Ive wanted one for years. Its comfortable, I love the look, the mileage is good. Just didnt expect to have it in the shop 6 times in the year Ive had it. Starting issues, noisy brakes, injector issues, and computer software issues with no fix. Thank God for my warranty. Gets a little sluggish on towing, but I only own the base model. So it didnt surprise me to have to baby the brakes when I have a 950 lb load in the bed. Its rates to tow approx 4k lbs, but I wouldnt pull more than 1k with what Ive got.

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  On the money - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By DAN - January 4 - 4:07 pm

  This was the last of the new cars I looked at in the price range I could afford and still be sporty looking. Very impressed with power. Reminded me of the surge in power of the muscle cars from the 60s. I got the awd sport w/6spd trans. Im reliving my youth.

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  08 FWD Equinox LXT - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By sbarno - January 4 - 12:26 pm

  Only 1000 miles so far, Satisfied to date. After I bought it, I see more Nox on the road than Ive saw before. A little thorn is with a vehicle of this size you would think that it would have better mpg as I do 60% hwy. Disappointed with the decrease in the driving range when the car idles. I hope this improves as it gets broken in. Maybe Ill have to shut the engine off at stop lights, kind of what they do in Europe.

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  My sleeper - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jeff McKnight - January 4 - 11:31 am

  I bought the Camaro Z28 when i was 19 and I unfortunately had to use it as my primary car for a year. Word of advice.... stay away from snow. Fun awsome car! Ihave gone through a ot of tires....and they are not cheap. I have a Sparco suspension which helps on the streets... other than looking fast, it is fast... for the price and power you get this is my first sports car and I will keep it til I die. May be expensive but well worth it.. Now that I am 23 i appreicate it more and take a lot better care of it. Havent had to repair but just a few items.... recently the fuel pump went out on it and come to find out the rear end must come off to get to it....that is my next project. Thanks Chevy

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  Womans Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By harvey - January 4 - 8:58 am

  The 2008 LTZ is the most comfortable truck on the market. It has been a pleasure to drive and ride in. When your wife likes the mans toys "ie truck" then you know that you have made the right choice. Will be a pleasure to drive on long trips