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:

• 

  Pleases all your senses - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By StephanP - August 30 - 1:28 pm

  Picked up the 3LT with Z51 performance. This car is a pride and joy to own. Great curves, aggressive appeal and is a real head turner. Putting the pedal to the floor provides a thrill of excitement and gets the heart racing. Traded in an 06 350Z Roadster with a few after market performance parts and, without a doubt, the Vette blows it away in avery aspect of power, ride, handling, looks and technology. Not even sure why I bought the Z in the first place. Took a beating on the trade but well worth it.

• 

  Just needs bigger tires - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By wifesfirstnewcar - August 30 - 1:22 pm

  Its my wifes first new car and turns out I use it more than her. I just love it. We just came back from a 1500 mile trip and it performed perfectly.

• 

  Black shows more dirt.. I like dirt! - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Lori K - August 30 - 3:43 am

  I wanted a black car this time around, even though they show more dirt. The paint seems softer than most already soft black paint and has already spider webbed, and nicked. Despite it being the first year for the Cobalt, it seems to only have minor interior problems. The material from under the door pull wasnt stretched very well. And I have had to get a whole new inner panel because of it. It has an upgraded radio face, and sounds much better then other Chevy cars. It handles very well. I live in Ohio, where it snows more than its sunny. I bought the car April first which was a few days before our last big snow storm. I found out its handling capabilities very soon!

• 

  The Perfect Truck - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By TMAN - August 29 - 9:23 pm

  I bought this little truck as a work truck, and it has been the best truck ive ever had. Im a mechanic by trade and have been very impressed all around with it. Never had to do anything major to it yet, at 143000 miles!!! The 4.3 engine is super strong and super tough, very,very quick truck. I have left a many a full size truck and car in the dust!!! I have no plans of parting company with this little gem. I drive it every day and its never let me down yet. Its also a pleasure to drive....cant beat that combo

• 

  Nice Ride - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By AveoAngel - August 29 - 9:14 pm

  Being a full-time student with very little funds, I was very limited on which car I could buy. I didnt necessarily want the Aveo at first, especially after finding out that it was Korean made, and had some bad reviews. However, I have to say that I absolutely enjoy this car. I love how I dont have to be right on top of the steering wheel (Im 5 foot even) The interior is cheapy, but really? I needed a car to get from A to B with the best gas possible for the less price. I found it. I couldnt be happier with my choice.

• 

  The General is Back - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By SAS - August 29 - 4:37 pm

  After going Japanese for the last 7 years, I finally went back to the General and I was not disappointed. My Tahoe LTZ is very well built, comofortable, beautiful and drives every bit as well as any import. I recently bought my wife an Audi Q7 and, with the exception of the Audis Ipod interface, I enjoy the Tahoe hands down over the Audi. I only wish that Chevy would finally put in fold flat seats in the vehicle.

• 

  Hmmm - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By D Phillips - August 29 - 1:58 pm

  Rented this one as a replacement for my truck. Ride is comfortable, handles nice, with sufficient acceleration to get onto busy California freeways! I didnt like the parking brake location (hard to reach when engaged), and the fact that the rear seat does not fold down even with the back floor (made it hard to put large objects inside) Overall, not a vehicle I could live with long term.

• 

  Great car! - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Al - August 29 - 11:58 am

  Bought it for my wife, and we love it! It has a nice ride, spacious, quiet, and looks great (we got it loaded in black with 17" shiny rims).

• 

  My Monaco - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By TexasEx@ Austin - August 29 - 3:36 am

  After driving Dodge trucks for years, this was an amazing transformation. I have always liked Chevrolet and their brand. This is a Luxury Sport Coupe and there are just so few anymore. I like the feel, the performance and the comfort. All this coupled with the mileage, I am extremely happy with my purchase. Oh, and Chevys after-sale support is awesome!

• 

  Cant break it with a bat - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Bill - August 28 - 9:39 pm

  I have the Z71. Fantastic truck. Rides as well with 63,000 as when new. A couple initial problems, drive shaft replacement, and no shifting back into 2WD, but dealer fixed it, and hasnt been back to the shop in 30,000 miles. Very solid truck. Was rear ended by Ford Econoline loaded with tools doing 35 MPH. Only $3,500 damage, and was still drivable. Glad I was in the Tahoe and not something else. This truck gives me the confidence to take it anywhere in any conditions. I feel this truck will run forever. Foreign vehicles have nothing on this truck.