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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  first vette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By bullizard - July 25 - 2:00 am

  This is the most fun car I have driven. You simply cannot compare the feeling of driving with the top down. The car has sufficient power to get away from less experienced drivers. If you have open road and are not to worried about getting pulled over, putting the peddle to the floor is quite exhilarating. Some of the interior components could use a more luxurious touch. However for the cost, the Corvette is the most powerful, best all around car on the market.

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  Great Car - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By cullenmb - July 25 - 2:00 am

  This is an awesome value in a sportscar. If you remember that you are getting a $100k sports car performance for under $50k you will never be dissatisfied. The cars lines are beautiful. The magna ride suspension is amazing, if you can get it. Amazing touring car. Couldnt be more fun to drive.

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  Great Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Alpha - July 25 - 2:00 am

  We love our Suburban. It is the perfect family vehicle. With four kids, the space is ideal. Weve made a number of long distance road trips and the ability to move 6 people with alot of luggage and gear is a real plus. I love the fact that I can fit a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood etc... in the rear cargo area. If your a weekend project person, this vehicle is ideal. All around its the most practical and comfortable vehicle in its class.

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  WONDERFUL - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By shanelle - July 25 - 2:00 am

  wonderful truck, massive power and lost lasting engines

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  Best SUV Owned - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Lezley - July 25 - 2:00 am

  After the birth of our third child we need something large to bus our rambunkious family. The suburban is the fourth SUV we have owned and it is above and beyond the BEST SUV out there. It is fun to drive and handles much like a touring car despite the size. We like it so much we are considering the purchase of second suburban (his and hers).

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  great ride - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mcr - July 25 - 2:00 am

  Good Handling Strong Truck

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  An Attention Getter! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Magic27037 - July 24 - 10:00 am

  I love the vesatility, except it takes two people to remove the panels, at least for a woman.Perhaps a man could do it by himself. The truck is really fun to drive, and has a lot of power.

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  my van - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By me myself and my van - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I have my van about 2yrs and I still love driving it around. I have 4 full size teenager boys and one dog + one husband. We all fit in the our van very comfortable.

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  bought another one - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By bob s. - July 24 - 2:00 am

  had a 2002 just wanted a new car 2003 tighter quieter

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  50th Vert - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By dacuck@msn.com - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I cant believe the ride quality of my 50th Anniversary Red/Shale Corvette convertible.. having owned a previous C5 and C4, I was skeptical of the magnetic ride control.... but it works very well. Power Sport seats are comfortible and supportive. Nice paint job for a Vette..!! Shale interior is a nice break from black... Steering feels a little dead at center, especially coming from 02 330Cic.. Plenty of power and V8 torque... smooth