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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  Great Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By FG - April 9 - 7:13 am

  This truck is wonderful and fun to drive. The new styling is superb. The interior has come a long way for the Tahoe. We purchased the LT with the LT3 package. This has all the goodies like power liftgate, wood grain, 3rd row, 20 " wheels, rear entertainment, etc. We found that it was a better deal to go with the LT3 loaded than going for the LTZ. Anyway it rides very well. We previously had a Grand Cherokee Jeep that was loaded and there is no comparison. This truck is the best. Gas mileage is not the best but it is better than we expected. The engine cuts out some cylinders which does work but doesnt effect performance.

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  Perfect - 1995 Chevrolet Corvette
  By BrianCio - April 9 - 2:00 am

  This car is the bomb. Get the stick, enjoy all American power.

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  Excellent Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By bmoore9101 - April 9 - 2:00 am

  I love my 2003 Avalanche!!!!! Drives, rides, and looks perfect!

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  Best Bang for Buck - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By afLt - April 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Malibu in November 02. It has ran great so far, but the gas milage isnt as great as I would like it to be. I have the base model with the remote keyless, aluminum wheels, and power widows, locks, etc. I love the color which is the new medium gray. Over all considering I paid 15,000 tax and all, I would say that I got a great car at a really great price.

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  1999 Hardtop Corvette - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By H.M.Hancock - April 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had a long history with Corvettes, 1st a 1979 White C-3, later followed by a 1992 Black C-4. I can honestly say that while the memories made in those two cars are indelible, my 1999 Black C-5 Hardtop is technologically far superior to itspredecessors. With a super stiff chassis, a 6-speed and a Borla exhaust, the C-5 Hardtop screams! And I must admit, I like when the heads turn and the fingers point in affirmation to what you know, that this is one great car!

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  steves Vette - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By orrkidman - April 7 - 2:00 am

  Classic Vette. Immaculate finish and interior. Magnetic Red, Chrome Wheels, Two Tops, Leather and more. Clean

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  Great Car Best vette ever - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By F_anz - April 6 - 3:00 am

  Title says it all Z06s Rule!!

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  Close to perfect HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Heart Lady - April 5 - 8:30 am

  Upgraded 2.4L has plenty of power. The 17" wheels give excellent cornering ability. Plenty of cargo space for its size. Slightly disappointed that I only average 28 mpg compared to 33 mpg with my other full size car with a V-6.

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  Favorite of Mine - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Alwyschevy - April 5 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd cavalier and 2nd Z24. I love the cars. Not as much as the old 3.1 V6, but this little car is fantastic. I love the spacier inside, the sound system is great, and I love the 5 speed version. Id buy this car again.

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  im in love with it - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By len 1 - April 5 - 2:00 am

  its a perfect machine if u love speed adn great looks .