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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  LATE LIFE TREASURES - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By MARIE TANEY - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has made this Grandmothers life so much easier to handle my grandson in and out of the car. The safety features are very important but the luxury features are awesome. Everything it at fingertip reach and it does so many functions automatically once it has been set. With the 3rd back seat down it is so easy to put cargo in the back with either the window up or the entire door. I recently took a business trip of over 350 miles and it was wonderful, from the ride to the music sound system. I will never own any other form of transportation. Thank you

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  Awsome product from American BOWTIE! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mike - September 5 - 10:33 am

  The most thought out well planned vehicle to come from chevy in 50 yrs. Well positioned to do some serious damage to all those foreign boxes. Very proud to own one and I am very satisfied with the purchase!!!!!

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  I got mine... - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Davy Zoomzoom - September 5 - 10:00 am

  ... before it was too late. What a shame they are gone.

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  Great 2500 HD Duramax - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Will - September 5 - 6:23 am

  Great Truck. Have had other Chevrolet Trucks and Ford and this far exceeds them all. Only one problem since new Speedometor went out. Wife caught that and got it fixed prior to me coming home. Tow 32ft. 5th wheel at 10,000# dry with no problem. Duramax/Allison combination good match. Sure would be nice if larger tires and sat higher but that is ones preferance can do later if want. Allison Trany shifting from stop slight roughness till warmed up just a few times but the sound is like a tank shifting into gear. Comfortable for long trips, good milage, good power and no problems really to worry about. Like to get a new one but this one has a long life in it.

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  Love It! - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Fred - September 5 - 4:40 am

  Great truck. Fit and finish excellent and have received many compliments in the short period I have owned it. All aspects of the vehicle top shelf and the best in any pickup I have owned. (5 so far) Gas mileage about 16.8 around town which what I was getting in my SUV. Example of great American engineering..Chevrolet

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  My Wolf - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By obergeil - September 5 - 2:00 am

  The only problem Ive had with my little S-10 is that on two occasions my foot has slipped under the gas pedal and then knocked it from underneath as I pulled my foot back up. This has resulted in the accelerator cable coming free from the gas pedal. Im not sure who came up with the design for this assemblage but it seems flawed and potentially dangerous.

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  Great car - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Great Z-24 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for about 3 months now. Its been great the only thing I have had to do is get the water pump replaced. other than that this Z-24 has been great. Ive put cold air intake on and it has a really nice deep tone. Ive also put euro style lights on and i must say they look great. At 84K it runs very well. the five speen has alot of nuts for a 4 banger... all around great car

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  Its Mine!! - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By rainey407 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I had no idea what a Malibu was until we bought ours. Bought it in February 2000 and took it to dealership for 1st time in August 2003. Short in A/C fan and something with the strut on left side. Perfect otherwise! Get lots of compliments on it. Great handling.

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  Great SUV - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By vein - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Ive been absolutely thrilled with my 2002 Tahoe. The seats are so comfortable (and the heated leather is so nice on cold mornings!) and the 2nd row seating is even quite comfortable. Its easy to park and complete tight turns. Super quiet even at high speeds on the highway and a wonderful smooth drive even on the awful streets of Detroit. Surprisingly good gas milage for a heavy V8 with pep.

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  Chevrolet Luxury in Sport Clothing - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By R W Moore - September 4 - 8:43 pm

  Having traded in my 2003 Monte Carlo SS for this Impala SS was a stretch. 2 doors for 4 doors?! Well, am ever pleased! This car moves, and be ready for the torque steer! Wish it was RWD though. Hate the FWD. But luxury in sport clothing! Looks cool, turns heads, and moves! Not as fast as my 2005 SSR, but carries 5 people!