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:

• 

  great and economic - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By rjg43 - September 1 - 1:26 am

  the equinox suv was a three month wait.but worth it. the suv has everything , heated leather seats, cd player, sunroof, AWD, comfortable ride and a purchase price under 25k. hard to beat that.

• 

  Great car - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By CHEVY HEAD - August 31 - 11:53 am

  Bought this car about a year ago and I still love it! Drives like a car costing thousands more. In these crippling times people need value in their used car purchases. Monte Carlo offers that. Unique styling in an never ending sea of cookie cutter Japanese junk. GM never should have stopped making them!

• 

  SUBURBAN - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By FREDERICK - August 31 - 2:00 am

  THE SUBURBAN IS THE BEST VEHICLE IVE EVER OWNED I CANT WAIT TO SAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO GET A NEW ONE

• 

  2000 S-10 Blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jim Wasoka - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Compared to my previous Ford Explorer and Broncho II, this vehicle handles better and has more power. The interior roominess and overall size is excellent for a family of 4 to take long trips. I would recommend it to anyone needing 4 wheel drive and seating for 5 who doesnt want to get into a minivan.

• 

  Better than I thought - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Fern - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I waited 30 years before buying my first vette and happy I chose the 50th 2003 Z06. It is an awesome machine both feel and sound. It is the best vehicle I have owned.

• 

  03 Chev Tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Kelly Labe - August 30 - 10:00 am

  This is my forth Tahoe...every two years I get a new one and i will never switch! They drive great, have lots of room, and are very luxurious. They really go through gas, but it is worth it!

• 

  A Winner So Far - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By GaryinNC - August 30 - 9:56 am

  Had the car for about a month and so far so good. Traded in a TrailBlazer and getting good returns as far as better mileage. 1LT with sunroof and power convenience package, Sandstone color - very sharp! Smooth ride, quiet engine, decent mileage so far (22-25 mpg in mixed driving). Eye-catching interior and every feature you might need. Also looked at Sonata and Altima and this was the best choice for me. Only minuses so far are turning radius (seems like the TrailBlazer could turn tighter), no rear seat armrest, and small trunk opening. Im 62" and it took a little while to find a comfortable seat postion but no compaints now.

• 

  My Super Sport has been a pleasure - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By Red Vortec - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I really love this truck. I have put 140000 miles on it and it still looks and drives well. My only troubles have been the EGR valve and the CPI fuel injection pod. I have made many modifications for performance and this truck still moves out well when needed. I plan to drive this truck for at least five more years. It still turns heads wherever I go.

• 

  Chevy Cavalier LS - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By raseco - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Since buying my car used in 97, I have never had a problem w/ this car. Other than the normal maintenance and upkeep, I have not had to replace any other parts.

• 

  TAHOE RULES! - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By mrp - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Best suv for the money. With now over 140,000 miles its still running strong. All original parts except battery, belt & tires.