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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  I LOVE IT - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By boonesgurl - January 23 - 2:00 am

  I wouldnt trade my car for anything! It runs awesome, nothing has gone bad, looks great, rides great!!

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  2017 Cruze, great vehicle! - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Kevin vanDeutekom - January 22 - 11:03 pm

  The only complaint I have is that the paint on the vehicle seems to be paper thin. I have a new chip or ding every day. I bought a paint repair pen and it has been difficult keeping up.

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  Reliable Commuter - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Curtis - January 22 - 11:03 pm

  I bought this car in 2003 with 60,000km. I am now up to 280,000km and the car runs as smooth as the day I bought it. Havent had to touch anything under the hood. Just the usual wheel bearings and tye rod replacements that you would normally have to with this kind of mileage. I have car pooled with people recently who drive imports and I just find they cant compare to the smoothness/comfort of a GM.

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  Very Satisfied Customer - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By J.R. Warner - January 22 - 2:53 pm

  Ive had nothing but very good experiences with this truck. Its roomy, comfortable, and pulls a good load. The DuraMax diesel is quiet and gives good fuel economy. Very sound and stable feeling.

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  Great Car! - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bigmnky - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I love this car its my newest car Ive ever owned and its great smooth ride great sound inside good looks and its god all kinds of power.

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  Great car for the cost. - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Leslie Lou - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This was the first car I ever purchased, I still love it as much now as I did when I rove it off the lot 7 years ago with only 7 miles on it. The paint is a little weak scratches way to easy. Lot of ratteling in the dash board from the ashtray to the defroster grill to the glove box, thank goodness I have a nice stock stereo system in the car.

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  Love Suburbans - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By suzysuburban - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Suburban! It is the only car we will consider! We have 3 kids and 4 dogs. We haul kids to soccer, swim team and drive in style when my husband and I are out on the town. This car manuevers in tight spots and can go anywhere!!!

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  Couldnt give us anything else! - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By DoonaVint - January 22 - 2:00 am

  We love this car! It has everything we could possibly want on it and under the hood. The 3.8l V6 is super, it has excellent get up and go on the highway yet still gets decent gas mileage in town as well. The berry red metallic paint is eyecatching and always changing depending on the light. The interior is wow! Love the leather seats. Dashboard is arranged so everything is easily seen. It was a toss up between a sunroof and a rear spoiler when looking, my husband wanted one and I wanted the other we were both willing to give up what we wanted so the other could have what they wanted, luckily we found one with both!

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  06 Impala, the best yet - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By L Johnson - January 21 - 8:03 pm

  Purchased this vehicle in September 05. My wife & I may keep this vehicle FOREVER. Its FUN (a little torque steer on hard accel can be forgiven & easy to get used to), Laser Blue is BEAUTIFUL; lots of looks & comments; all good+. It can get good gas mileage but its hard not to jump on it once in awhile which doesnt help mileage. Engine & exhaust sound fabulous. My brother purchased a new Mustang GT (which is also fun to drive) but he & I both prefere the SS if you are driving any distance. I would rate the Bose sound system at an 8 (very good, not great). More fun to listen to the exhaust sound (especially with the sunroof open but OK without).

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  excellent - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By William Gamble - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I have had 3 Astro Vans and I find them to be very built very reliable very dependable and The most confortable Mini Vans on the street. But trying to find one anymore is becoming very difficult. Is GM not making them any more and why. It seems that all the dealers in the area dont have any in their inventory and dont seem to want to get any WHY ?