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:

• 

  road review - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By tom - November 15 - 6:13 pm

  just took a trip from alamogordo nm to abq nm about 440miles round trip. road type included secondary, interstate, and city. Mileage overall was 33.8. the cabin was quite. handling was great and leg room galore. i dont know what more you could ask for the price. the 4 banger reacted strong, stronger than my old 3.4 six. i think gm has a winner here.

• 

  I love my Cobalt - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By march - November 15 - 3:40 pm

  I normally drive much more expensive cars, trading in a supercharged Grand Prix GTP for this Cobalt 2.5 years ago, but I think this little car is great! Fantastic mileage, very comfortable on long drives, an automatic transmission that shifts perfectly, good power, good stereo, fun to drive, great visibility and versatile. I normally lease new cars every 3 years, but am planning to buy this one when the lease is up. Ive had the key stuck in the ignition, but thats really the only problem and its an easy inexpensive fix if you know how. The selling dealers service department is very poor, but Ive found another nearby thats far better

• 

  New VDP-Rate This Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Pack - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I love my new Trailblazer the way it handles, such as the tightness of the steering. But the thing about my truck is that it uses the gas, I dont mind to much because I like the vehicle so well. The inside is excellent. The CD player stereo is rocking, and Im not one of those "If its to loud your to old. Lynard Skynard sounds like they are in the truck with me. I just love MY truck......

• 

  My first new SS - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 2003REDSS - November 15 - 2:00 am

  This is a great truck! Does everything well. Nice paint and features.

• 

  Love It! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Jane - November 15 - 1:40 am

  I love this vehicle! Its roomy, smooth and just an all around great SUV. My hubby is 68 and he can fit with plenty of room. The kids love to watch DVDs and sit in the 3rd row. Wireless headsets are great. Id buy another in a minute.

• 

  Replacing 1989 Chev wagon - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Kairos - November 14 - 1:49 pm

  I have enjoyed driving this car. Excellent results when towing boats and trailers with 3500 rated hitch. 21 mpg traveling to Florida from New England.

• 

  Owner - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Lowbo - November 14 - 12:40 pm

  Since the day I drove it off the lot Ive enjoyed the ride, Sleek running always a head turner. Will never sell this truck. I utilized this truck as if it was a big hauling truck. Hauled trailers and boats with it and it keeps on running. Only problem I had with it was an Oil cooler line break 2 years ago. Other than that great set of wheels.

• 

  Wicked car - Cavalier 1996 - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Kiprotich Arap-Ruto - November 14 - 9:43 am

  I looked at a number of cars before buying my Cavalier 1996. Its price was great and condition pretty good. It drives very well. I had to replace the gas tank (got a used one for a good price and free labor). Overall a very good car.

• 

  What a sweet ride - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By JWH - November 14 - 6:16 am

  Ive owned the Z71 for about a year and am absolutely satisfied. The ride is extremely smooth and road noise is almost non-existent. The seats are very comfortable (unlike the Ford F- 150 which felt like I was sitting on a slab of concrete). The 5.3 V8 has plenty of get-up-and-go and the mileage is 16.5 city and 19 on the highway. The heated seats are great in Minnesota winters.

• 

  Everything rocks except Bose - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By quietpro - November 14 - 2:50 am

  Helped my sister find a car and ended up buying one for myself. Hers is a 3LT, mine an SS. Love the engine, exhaust sound, power, build quality, and functionality. I traded my 02 Monte Carlo SS and my only regrets are the seats and the Bose sound system. The seats lack lateral support and regardless of what source you listen to, there is a hiss at anything less than 50% volume on the Bose system; very frustrating if you want to relax with the volume low.