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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  read the specs - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By daniel.j.simon - November 21 - 2:00 am

  I owned a Dodge Dakota for 9 yrs and put over 140,000mile on it. I recently bort a chevy s-10 crew cab, and now wonder what I did with out 4doors. It has plenty of horse power. I take it on the outer beach about once a week, and it just goes. This 4.3 has been around a while and proved its self as a good engine. I looked at the Colorado before purchasing my s10. Infact I was even waiting for it to come out. But when I went home and did my homework. I hurried and ordered an s10. Some of the feature that the Colorado will not be getting, 4 wheel disc brakes, 250lbs of torq.

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  "road sweep" entering auto at door base - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Barbara - November 21 - 1:40 am

  Ive only driven my Equinox under 300 miles. I like the way the automobile handles and the comfort of the interior. I worry about future rust and corrosion of the vehicle (see suggested improvement section).

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  A real eye catcher! - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By imintune777 - November 20 - 10:30 pm

  The Supercharged SS Monte Carlo is a great car to drive. Acceleration and handling in rush hour traffic is a plus. This automobile will respond and handle well when other drivers have their heads where the sun dont shine. These cars do not even start smiling until they are doing about 75 miles per hour. Great gas mileage and plenty of zip. A real eye catcher also. This is our second Monte Carlo SS. We also have the 2002 model and have enjoyed both. The Supercharged SS is my baby, however!

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  Great comfort and power - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jem - November 20 - 2:00 am

  A strong,comfortable, and sure footed vehicle. My wife will settle for nothing but another suburban. She loves the heated seats and lots of room to haul gear. Plenty of power for our towing needs. Much better turning radius than the earlier models.

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  One good truck..... - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Richard Slonaker - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Everything is perfect so far. Too much power for wet surfaces....tends to spin.

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  WOW! - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By rowgro - November 19 - 2:00 am

  This 2004 Z06 is my first Vette and I am blown away by it. Solid as a rock. Motor on steroids. Exhaust note to die for. Great mileage. Best curvy body since Catherine Zeta Jones. I own a Mercedes S 55 that seems as exciting as a bowl of cottage cheese compared to a drive in the Z06. Keep the walnut and air conditioned glove box. This American Guy will take styling, brute force, and the extra $60K in the bank. What took me so long?

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  A Keeper! - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By 5stars - November 18 - 2:00 am

  If you`re looking for basic, reliable transportation that doesn`t break your bank account...then the Tracker is a great ride for ya.

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  Excellent Truck - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By genesisdj - November 18 - 2:00 am

  I think the suburban/tahoe/yukon trucks are the best SUV on the planet. They handle great, never rattle, are quiet, awesome vehicles. Keep up the good work

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  Heart Beat Of America - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mrual - November 18 - 1:36 am

  I bought this truck after owning a 92 S-10 4.3 Had no problems with the S-10 and i have no Problems with the silverado the silverado has a 5.3L as everyone else allways looking for better gas mileage before doing anything to my engine i was getting 18.8 MPG so i thought i would replace the OME intake system and replace with K&N cold air intake anyone thinking of doing this please do my performance went threw the roof way better gas mileage and way better performance the engine can finally breath (GM really needs to do something about there air intake systems ).. the interior is great XM and Onstar are a must love the bose sound great room front and back

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  Practical Pickup - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By dewman - November 17 - 2:00 am

  The Chevy S10 extended cab is a very practical pickup, size wise and economy wise. The ride is almost car like and the controls are very well placed. After owning three of them I can say they are dependable and trouble free.