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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  big bad chevy - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By chevy2nv - October 29 - 10:00 am

  i bought thes truck brabd new and i loved it ever scince i saw it . the big hood looks mean and intimidating. the inside is big and comfortable. the dashborad is cheap and plastic. its got alot of low end power. the only problem i have is withe the engine - gmeblarged the pison heads and not the piston so now after 35,000 miles the 6.0 engine souds like a diesle. but i am overall happy with my truck

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  Mothers Day Gift, follow up #2 - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Pumkinsite - October 29 - 10:00 am

  Wife likes sitting higher to see over other vehicles. Her friends are amazed at the roominess and style. Recently had rubbing/grinding noise develop when braking and turning the vehicle. Noise came from left wheel area/ steering linkage area. Turned out to be a bad shock strut. Dealer diagnosed promptly. However part took 15 days to get from a Midwest supplier. This is 2nd problem fixed under warranty. Drives like new again. Dealer service very good. Friend of my son in law who sells Jeeps was so impressed by the room inside our Equinox he stated "I hope my customers dont find out about this SUV". Taking a 1000 mile trip soon with our EQNX.

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  Love this Impala - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Paul - engineer - October 29 - 8:53 am

  I bought this car as my everyday, to- and-from work car. Shortly after purchase, I got a work assignment that had me travel out-of-town (175 miles) each week. This car was a delight for that travel. First of all, I get superb gas mileage - better than the EPA estimates. I averaged 32-34 mpg on my out-of-town trips and in my normal commuting (city/freeway mix) I get about 26. Amazing for a car like this! It is very comfortable, quiet and smooth, has plenty of power, and looks and handles well. I got the satellite radio option and use it a lot. The sound system (base model) is great. I love having the built-in hands-free phone. I dont use it a lot, but when I do it is a great feature.

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  Great SUV - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Deena - October 29 - 4:34 am

  I love my Tracker. I had been without a car for a couple years and got a job that required me to have a car. I looked at 2 cars. The Tracker was the only one I test drove and I loved it the second I got in it. Its great on road trips and I can get everything I need into it. The cargo space could be just a tad longer but it works for me.

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  Great Value! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By GeorgiaB - October 29 - 12:40 am

  Roomy and comfortable when driving long distances. Good gas mileage. Rear area is roomy and the shelving for storage is excellent.

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  Previous Ford owner - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Leanne - October 28 - 10:38 pm

  As a previous Ford owner, we are trying our first Chevy. So far, it has been great. OnStar and navigation systems are a very nice asset. The comfort is comparable to the Ford Expedition, possibly more room in the front seats than the Ford counterpart. Ride is what you would expect from the SUV vehicle market. Interior is roomy with riders comfort in mind. Third row is tight and Chevy needs to take a lesson from Ford in this area.

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  Totally surprised - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By chev fan - October 28 - 10:03 pm

  Id would like to say if you want a v6 with power that doesnt clean out the wallet. The Chevy Malibu LT v6 is the way to go. We get about 34.5 mpg going 65 mph on the highway. Great quality sound and remote start you cant beat specially in the cold. Sharp looking car and great gas miliage. New body style is totally upgraded from last. I would buy this car again.

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  Never buying GM again - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Tiger - October 28 - 8:41 am

  Look up information before buying the 2000 or surrounding years. It has been nothing but problems. As soon as we hit 60k, things have just been in constant repair and I do all schedule maint. also. From Cheap alloy causing the recliner levels to snap off, Oil cooler lines going bad EVERY 14k miles (issue because of way GM routed them), Door hinges coming off after 130k. Clogged heater cores costing another $1k to fix, ball bearings and joints, Differentials. THis car is costing us an extra $100/month ever year to keep up but we cant afford another car loan at the same time. Do your research through google or anywhere else first. Worst vehicle I have ever owned. NO MORE GM for me.

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  Nice Work Car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Bill Spond - October 27 - 8:13 pm

  I havent had the car very long but I really like it. Good performance, good ride for a small car. Has 83000 miles on it and it feels like a new one. 26 miles to the gallon, I had hoped for 30. Over all a good solid little car.

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  I love my Burban! - 1993 Chevrolet Suburban
  By shaun - October 27 - 7:57 pm

  Awesome truck! Best vehicle that i have ever owned. Purchased in 04 with about 225K. 265K miles and still going strong. Have had cooling issues though...radiator, heater core, etc. This truck is a tank and i love it. The only thing I would trade it for is a newer one. With K&N filter and flowmaster exhaust, i get 20mpg on the highway! Thats a Chevrolet for you!