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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  We love our Malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JimboInTheHouse - November 4 - 10:00 am

  We would have never considered one of the old plain Malibus but when we saw the new design we loved it! It drives and handles great. And the remote start feature has us so spoiled.

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  I was surprised - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By AdamJay - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Prior to test driving this truck I was a little leary as to the performance of the truck, even after reading many positive reviews. I took the truck on a 24hr test drive and all I can say is wow. It handles and performs like dream. We purchased the Sport ZQ8 and are very very happy.

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  Great truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By lcapozzi - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Great overal truck 1000 miles driven. Easy to drive and handel. The only down fall I have found so far is the high back bucket seat limit vision throught the rear view mirror. But still a great truck. I would buy another.

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  Hot Car! - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jay Dee Steel - November 4 - 10:00 am

  It is nothing but adrenalin rush! The Corvette handles better than any car that I have ever driven/owned.

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  Awesome Car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By David Shinn - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I have an 02 Corvette Convertible - its the greatest Corvette Ive ever owned - I cant believe the Corvette doesnt get the press it deserves.

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  Z71 Tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By KPerry - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Very fun to drive. It makes me feel safe. I will buy another one when I decide to trade.

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  Love my NOX! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MD66 - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Just picked up my Equinox yesterday, after a ton of research. This is one slick vehicle! It rides great, it looks great, and its a great value. I got an LT with very few options well below sticker price. Im hard pressed to recall seeing a vehicle so roomy!

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  Great Car and price - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Shark - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Had owned a Chev Blazer for six years had no problems with it. Decided to try EQ better ride and perfomance.

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  LT Crew 5.3 V8 2wd - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Walker - November 4 - 7:30 am

  Traded my 05 of similar features. The new 08 is years ahead in quality. The ride, noise and comfort are extremely good. Very quiet at even 70+mph. Back seat comfort is better than most cars.

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  TrailBlazer SS: SSweet. - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Matt Peters - November 3 - 10:14 pm

  Not many changes for 2008, but all together the vehicle is a fun and comfortable muscle-truck. The throttle response at all rpm ranges is strong and allows for a fun drive. The tight sport-tuned suspension leaves one with the feeling of driving a car much lower to the ground. The sound of the Corvette LS-2 engine is evident at idle and even more so in high rpm. The full option electronic interior with heated seats and leather/suede wrapping make for a feeling of luxury most GM SUVs dont allow for. Overall, the SS is very sporty in exterior and interior styling, strong horsepower, and tight suspension with the interior luxury factors making it desirable for even standard SUV fans.