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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  Fiftieth anniversary convertible - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By rek - August 13 - 10:00 am

  At age 71 and after owning five or six, this is, by far the best yet.

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  Great Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Charlie711 - August 13 - 10:00 am

  I have been happy with the truck. If you have kids, I would recommend the center bucket seats. This allows greater access to the third row of seats.

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  Best Car on the Road - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Chris Rinard - August 13 - 5:06 am

  I dont know how many times at the pump or on the road somebody had flagged me down and said good car. This car is fast and handles well. For a two door is quite spacious. The car has a lot of neat features including remote start, DOD, and OnStar. Mustangs cant really keep up with it. I got the SS model with a few less options like sun roof and leather which made my car a couple grand cheaper and more affordable

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  Best truck ever - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By 454 ss 725 hp - August 13 - 2:00 am

  very reliable well rounded truck.

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  Cavalier - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Nana83 - August 13 - 2:00 am

  I love my cavalier. It is fun and easy to drive and it is really good on gas.

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  satisfied customer - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Sat User - August 13 - 2:00 am

  And all in one vehicletruck, suv, and family vehicle

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  Chevy Hits a Homerun - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tom - August 12 - 5:23 pm

  After a summer of searching, Im glad I waited for the 2010 Nox. At 67" I couldnt squeeze into the Rav, CRV, Santa Fe..... It came down to VW Tigan vs. NEW Equinox. Chevy won hands down based on expanded cabin size vs. 09, MPG and overall value. It fits in my garage better than my old four door sedan too....an added bonus! Dont expect much off sticker or incents given on other Chevys. But grab one quick before they figure out they put too much into the 2010 for the money. This one competes with SUVs in a larger class.

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  Malibu is fantastic - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MikeOrangeman88 - August 12 - 1:36 pm

  I love my new Chevy Malibu. I cannot believe how well built it is. Ive always been a Chevy driver and have never been disappointed but, man, Chevy outdid themselves with this vehicle. I wouldnt even think about buying an Accord or Camry. The Malibu LTZ feels and looks like it costs at least $10- $20,000 above what I paid for it. Well done Chevy!

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  Simply the Best Buy in a Sports Sedan - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By priggly - August 12 - 12:36 pm

  This car is simply the best automobile Chevrolet has offered for sale in a very, very long time, a grand example of sports sedan combined with high quality highway cruiser with its powerful engine, superior fit and finish, quiet cabin interior, awesome BOSE sound system and excellent gas mileage for its engine size (29.5 mpg at a steady 65 mph on the highway). The interior is superb with its high quality controls, gauge cluster, comfortable, quality leather seating, and general ambiance. Ergonomics are absolutely excellent. Handling, braking and transmission are top-notch. The tranny is especially smooth with effortless and imperceptible shifts. The exhaust note is exhilarating.

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  1995 Chevrolet Astro CL - 1995 Chevrolet Astro
  By ShagginWagonMike - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this van to have to move stuff and just have a bigger vehicle. The power and ability of a truck with the versatility of a cargo van AND a passenger van. VERY nice. Helping friends move, anythings possible with this van. Gas mileage is excellent for a V6, especially a van. 19mpg in the city! Never had a reliability problem. The only problem has been flinging a center cap off my rally wheel today. =) Fun to drive, and its a van!