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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  I like it !!!!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Josandi - August 23 - 2:00 am

  i just bought this car with only 7 miles on it (12/31/02)(date bought) today (1/2/02) and i put 190 miles all with the same tank of gas that the dalear filled up with and its just below the 1/2 tank mark,,great car i love it,,i say to all get a cavalier

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  Great Avavalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By By Hemme - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Love this great truck, would buy it again next time. It has all the features anyone could want,smooth quiet luxury ride-TOPS.

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  Tahoes on the go - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jsauer750 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  We bought a 2002 LS and loved it so much that we saw the same color (red) in a 2003 LT with a sun roof and had to have it. We have owned Blazers and Bravadas and the ride and power of the Tahoe is truely better and it really rides like a cadillac.

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  CMONTOY1 - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Cmontoy1 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Great Ride, Has a lot of room. Great trunk space. Fun to drive. Great on long trios.

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  1500 Z71 - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By DAVE - August 23 - 2:00 am

  GREAT TRUCK NEEDS SOME WORK ON THE FIRMNESS OF THE UPSHIFTS / TOW HAUL MODE IS TOUCHY WHEN SHIFTING.

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  One awesome SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By denise poppovich - August 22 - 10:40 pm

  This is the most stylish, reliable SUV you can probably get for your money. My last three cars have been Chevys, but the Equinox has been the most eye catching, fun to drive experience I have ever had. I am so pleased with my choice, you will be too!!

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  Silverado Crew Cab-What a Truck! - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By SBrady - August 22 - 6:50 pm

  I purchased a new 07 Silverado in June of this year and have now had some time to get a feel for it. It now has 2500 miles on the odometer. I spent about 6 months researching this purchase and ended up with the Silverado. My truck is an LT-1, but it has leather, 20 inch tires, the 5.3 engine, etc. My gas mileage was 16 when I first got it, but it has been steadily improving with each fill up. I am now getting just a bit over 20 MPG on the interstate when driving 75. The truck has plenty of power, handles like a car and is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. The fit and finish is excellent as well. If you are looking for a truck you MUST try the Silverado out.

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  i love my van - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By eldockside - August 22 - 2:00 am

  THE CHEVY VENTURES ARE BUILT AT THE GENERAL MOTORS, DORAVILLE PLANT IN DORAVILLE, GA.I HAVE SEEN THEM BEING BUILT AND I KNOW PEOPLE WHO BUILT THEM, THEY ARE HARD WORKING AMERICANS AND I WILL SUPPORT THEM BY BUYING AMERICAN, AND I CAN SAY I LOVE MY TRUCK, I STAND FIRM WITH THE PEOPLE WHO BUILD THEM, MY MONEY WILL STAY IN THIS COUNTRY, I WILL NOT BUY FROM OVERSEAS, THE FOLKS I KNOW AT DORAVILLE HAVE CHILDREN AND I WILL SUPPORT THEM,I HAVE FOUND NOT ONE PROBLEM WITH MY VAN, IT IS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE, HAPPY MOTORING

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  ode to a chevy - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By katiekuhkgvfy - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Corvette has been and always will be americas sports car. Its sleek and easy and well equipped. It handles very well with the power still there. This is my absolute hands-down favorite car. Its yours too!

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  the best - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mommy1 - August 22 - 2:00 am

  I love bing able to take the kids and go shopping at the same time. I have plenty of room and often avoid having to take two cars when extended family visits. I park it in New York City with no problem, even on the street. I will always own this type of car!