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 have the car of my dreams! - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By hotcd31 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  I love this car! I owned the Chev Malibu prior to purchasing the Impala. Im almost 6 feet and my daughter is 61 and we needed more room for comfort. The Impala is roomy and so much fun to drive. I look forward to taking many road trips this summer. I do not regret purchasing this car.

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  Chev Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By 44kings - January 31 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I did alot of research on this vehicle. We took one for a test drive and gave it a 9.8 out of ten. Within hours of the test drive we purchased one (and we are not ones to make purchases like this so quickly). Currently we have a 2000 Pontiac Montana and were looking for a second vehicle that was as good or better than the Montana (and the Montana is very good vehicle). Well this vehicle is better. Better ride, handling, comfort (lots of legroom especially in the sliding rear seat) and power. Definately a vehicle worth considering. So who gets to drive the Montana and who gets to drive the Equinox?

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  BigEs Fun Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By BigE - January 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my "fun" Truck. I bought a shell for it so it double as a SUV for my grands. Great for the beach and surf fishing. Needed to transport a stove for the kitchen - no problem. Oh! the color is DUKE BLUE - I am an ACC fan. Got to take the yard wast to the dump tomorrow - no sweat. Going to the mountains to do some fishing next week. This baby is "what I Like". Fun Truck.

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  1500 V6 Silverado - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By BigDag - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Got this basic truck 3 weeks ago and love it. Especially price considered: Sticker was $18,590. Drove of the lot 4K below, $14,590. Seems to be a good truck for the money. No complaints so far. 16.7 MPG after 500 miles on the clock. Drives well, tight and smooth...Good seats for this old taxi/truck driver. Very happy with the deal and the truck.

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  First couple of months. - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Big Bluebird - January 30 - 8:20 pm

  I traded my Ford F150 for this car. It hurt but the mileage on the truck was bad compared to how I used it. I used it as a car and hauled very little. I get 19 /21 in town w/the Malibu, that includes the 1000 of altitude I gain or loose on the 4 mile trip to town. The Malibu is the first car I have owned in many years. I have had no problems so far. Miss my truck but at this point would not want to get rid of the Malibu.

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  96 SS with a ProCharger Supercharger - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jim Hellmuth - January 30 - 2:00 am

  An Art Carr trans, Hotchkis Sway bars, gas shocks, Police Spring Set and a Supercharger with a new MSD spark System and all the necessities such as a Hypertech chip systems and an additional gas pump did it for me. Tuned down to 5 lbs of boost and i am still making 350hp at the tires. It is spooky fast and fun to drive now. Cool thing is that it can handle the power. Incredibly fun car.

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  This car is great - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By aSH Housewares - January 30 - 2:00 am

  This is my third and greatest Camaro I have owned. It has a shark-like aerodynamic body and torquey motor underthe hood. It is a superior car as a daily driver and it does me good at the track every once in awhile.

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  Cool vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By William McDermot - January 30 - 2:00 am

  Excellent truck. I call it the "Trucker" instead of Tracker.

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  Ignore the "Experts"...... - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By ron forneris - January 29 - 9:26 pm

  Purchased my HHR last month in spite of the "expert" reviews. One consumer review I read said to ignore the reviews and buy the car.......I agree. No "vague steering", weak braking or any of the other complaints voiced by the pros. Great fuel economy and acceptable power......Im sure a turbo will be forthcoming. Ive owned a PT Cruiser and this is far superior.......the stereo is amazing for any price vehicle. Didnt expect that/pleasant surprise. Im a retired cop.......Ive taken and taught pursuit driving courses and defensive driving classes......this car is a winner and is well worth a look if youre shopping in this price range.

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  Flawless design - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Erick Alexander - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Its a flawless desing, very powerful yet smooth engine, reasonable fuel consumption, smooth suspension (too smooth sometimes) and excellent build quality... I reccomend it over any other MID size SUV.