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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  2006 Duramax - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Tom - July 30 - 8:23 pm

  Awesome power and very quiet. Have a 2004 Dodge cummings and an 05 Ford powerstroke and this has the most power, quietest and best mileage of the bunch towing and no towing. Interior is good and driving is fun.

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  Whidbey Report - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Sarge - July 30 - 3:50 pm

  As a Suburban owner, I was taken by the design of the HHR. Being an "Old Guy", I love the 49 Suburban take. Also, I like the fact that the seating position is high and entering and exiting this vehicle is easy. I dont feel like Im sitting on the floor boards. The build and quality of this vehicle is as good as Ive seen on any US vehicle. Maybe its because its assembled in Mexico. At any rate, theyre doing it right. I should say at this point, this report is on the 2LT with the 175 horsepower 2.4 liter engine. The 2LT isnt an option listed above for some reason. The 2LT has a larger sway bar and stiffer suspension. It handles way better, almost like a sports car.

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  Z-71 - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By scoti - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This truck is a blast to drive, it doesnt feel as large as it is. A great head-turner, about like new beetles were in 98. Get used to hearing "change for a dollar"

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  Trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Jacob - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I love this truck. It if fun to drive on and off road.

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  Lots of fun - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Russell Giuliano - July 30 - 5:00 am

  Just got a new SS. I went in to look at an old Jaguar, ended up buying new. I love the look of the new Impala (I liked the old one too). Im getting lots of compliments from co-workers, saying that it looks like a more expensive car than it is.

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  Nice car - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By Anthony E - July 30 - 2:00 am

  Its a nice car runs fast smooth and rides soft

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  the best - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By scooter - July 30 - 2:00 am

  the avalanche north face is the best!! the chicks dig it and the guys wish they had one.

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  BEST CAR YET! - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By HUFFU2 - July 30 - 2:00 am

  WE HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN THE PAST 20 YEARS...BUT THIS CAR & STYLE IS THE BEST YET! COMFORTABLE INTERIOR, NICE LOOKING EXTERIOR, AND MANY COMMENTS MADE TO US SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS CAR.

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  New 2008 Malibu LT1 - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dan Curran - July 29 - 6:46 pm

  This is my third Malibu purchased since 2001 and I will honestly say it is the best one by far. Time will tell the whole story but Chevrolet appears to have scored a whole-in-one this time around.

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  Trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By BabyRanger - July 29 - 6:46 am

  So far, My Trailblazer has been great. I love the way it rides, accelerates, and handles. Its very quiet inside, has plenty of room, the seats are comfortable, and its easy to maneuver in traffic. The takeoff power is awesome. It will get up and go.