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 Combo: Economy, Versatility, Fun - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By chris_t - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I *love* this 03 Impala. Base, but w/ 3.8L engine. This gets more than just extra horses...you get ABS + better suspension. Seats 6 comfortably. Interior is well thought out. I didnt get all the bells & whistles, but did get steering wheel controls (worth it!) and package with display (compass, mpg, etc.) in overhead console + auto- dimming mirror (maybe worth it). With all the rebates & reasonable list price, I paid only slightly more than for my 87 6000! Remote Keyless Entry is standard. The Impala handles well on dry pavement, also ice and snow, even without traction control.

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  great value for your money - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By cr - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Great car with excellent safety ratings.Love the smooth ride.very quiet.looked at many vehicles and this was the best.Brand new so dont really know the acceleration.Nice traveling vehicle with lots of room and big trunk.

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  Best Car in Town - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By go3wide - January 15 - 2:00 am

  This is the second of two Camaros I have had the pleasure of owning. The first was a Z28 (with the LT1), this a standard coupe (with the L36 V6). Both are a pleasure to drive. The L36 is surprisingly powerful even at the factory rated 200hp at the flywheel and 3.08 rear. Both cars have the 4L60E 4 speed automatic trannine, that has near perfect shift, especially at WOT. The L36 car has the increased benefit of bieng more inexpensive to maintain and insure, and still is a head turner at the car show and at the track. Both cars have plenty of aftermarket and custom performace products that they can share with the obvious exception being the motor.

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  good domestic car - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By anandkale - January 15 - 2:00 am

  12000 miles went rather peacefully a rattle from passenger airbag cover fixed by the dealer at no extra charge, brake rotors replaced at no extra charge The transmission oil went bad by 47000 miles and I could feel it while driving. The air filter was bad at 25000 and 50000 while GM recomments replacement at each 30000. most of my driving is highway and i get 29mpg almost all time. The mechanic recommended a coolant flush by 4 years 65000 miles instead of GMs 5 years 150000 miles recommendation to save the water pump. at 57000 miles feels like the car needs a tuneup.

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  My new Monte Carlo - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Alfred - January 14 - 10:06 pm

  I really like it, but the suspension is a little stiff. I dont know if its because it is new or it has a sports suspension, but I can feel all the bumps in the road. Also, the wind noise is a little bit high for this type of car.

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  Sweet Trucks - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Gomer Pile - January 14 - 2:00 am

  S-10s are awesome little trucks, especially the 4.3 with a five speed. These things are verry quick for compact trucks. Quick, nimble, good gas mileage, looks good doing it. This particular truck has the ZQ8 suspension package and an SS motor. Also it has been lowered and has performance shocks and tires to enhance its qualitys.

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  One of the best sport coupes ever - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By NRGZ28 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car for over 4 years now and Ive enjoyed every day of it. I will never sell it or let it rot like others.

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  steering - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By rcsam - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I had a knocking in the steering column after 12000 miles and the dealer tells me that there is a design flaw that cause the steering to make noise. The joint dries out and requires a $100 lube from the dealer which is not covered after the warranty expires. This is a great riding auto with great pick-up and amentities. Highly recommend it.

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  Third Vette... and counting... - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Kretzj - January 13 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned three Corvettes, this 2000 Triple-Black Roadster being my latest, and my first C5. My previous Corvette was an LT4-powered 1996 Collector Edition convertible. First, moving from a C4 to a C5: The C5 is a different machine, with vastly different handling characteristics. I was warned by a good friend to take two or three weeks before trying anything "silly". Im glad I listened to him. As far as horsepower is concerned, I know my LT4 96 was rated at 330 and the 2000 is rated at 345 but I know in my heart and soul that my 96 (both 6- speeds) could take the C5 in a straight shootout.. not by much maybe, but theres my secret belief.

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  Beautiful Nox! You should buy a Nox! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By bluepanda - January 12 - 12:40 pm

  Just purchased our Nox last march 22. It already has 4080 miles as of today. This is my first car. Its very comfortable to drive, just like driving a luxury sedan. Though Im only averaging 18 miles per gallon, I still find it OK for a 3.4liter engine. GM should find ways to eliminate the noise, especially when running at 70miles/hour.