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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  Adore the TrailBlazer - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By aja - February 16 - 10:40 am

  I have never owner a SUV until 2006. I wanted more room and a comfotable drive. I purchased a 2006 Chevy TB and I love it! It is roomy, drives like a car and is great on gas. I will never convert back to a sedan and am committed to the TrailBlazer forever. Love it, Love it, Love it.

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  Best Yet - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Texas - February 16 - 7:44 am

  Third Suburban Ive had, best yet for ride and comfort. Still would like to have cargo doors back and the red exterior color offerered is really maroon. What were they thinking when they shortened the cargo length to less than 8 ft?

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  My 95 Z28 - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Chrisz - February 16 - 7:25 am

  I purchased an automatic car. That was a mistake. Although the car is still a blast to drive I often wish it was a 6 speed. That aside the Camaro Z-28 is a great machine. I love the power. The car is mostly factory. It has K&N filter, power chip, and front strut bar. The car handles the curves awsome, and loves to open up on the highway. When the rear end comes out it is pretty predictable. the cars styling is great. My complaints are trans, (drive and od fell out 2 weeks into driving) The glare of the dash is terrible in the windsheild. The car is a little sqeeky when driving over bumps or rough surfaces. It is a lot of car for the average person to drive around. But I find it fun.

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  Love my LTZ! - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Tom - February 15 - 9:16 pm

  I have owned my car for a little over 4 months and the more I drive it, the more I like it. I love all of the feaures on this car, especially the remote start and heated seats. The car drives very well and has a lot more room than you would expect for a mid sized car. It drives great and has handled all sorts of weather including snow with no problems. It truly is a really nice car with a lot going for it!

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  2008 Equinox - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mike Castellanos - February 15 - 6:03 pm

  We just bought our Equinox a day before going on vacation. We put over 3000 miles in 12 days. Drove from Houston Tx to Michigan then to Niagra Falls and then down thru Penn, Tenn, Vir, W. Vir, Miss, Al, LA and back to Texas. MPG was great! Averaged at 26mpg. Ride was not a Cadillac but comfortable. All in all this is a great SUV.

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  A Crew Cab for Work and Play - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By BigChevy4dr - February 15 - 10:00 am

  There is so much room with this crew cab. Looked at every true 4 door truck on the market and this one is tops in power, towing, comfort, resale, etc. The rear seat is both deeper and more comfortable than those in the Ford, Dodge, and Nissan (didnt even bother to look at Toyota with its smaller motor). The interior is not luxurious, but thats not why I bought the truck. Its very well put together and has acres of room for the low sticker price. Big Chevy rebates also helped me get the dealer to take $8300 off of list price. Not a single regret on this truck except that I didnt get one sooner.

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  LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!! - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By montegirl - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I love everything about this car, from the body style to the engine. After owning this car for 3 years I still enjoy driving it. I own the metallic jade green SS 2 dr model, and never want to part with it. This car is fun to drive and with the sunroof open and Michael Jackson on the radio, there is no greater joy!

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  A Good Deal - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bassmanarcher - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the dollar good hwy miles per gal.

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  A Very satisfied customer - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By abankshhn - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I never would have imagined in a million years that I wouldve purchased a Chevy Malibu. I love it! I love the way it handles, and total package blows away any car in the same price range in my opinion.

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  Good Buy - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By RLMSr - February 15 - 10:00 am

  We just got the car and love the sport appearance package. It looks like an SS without the need for premium fuel and loss of 2 mpg. My kids, one of whom is 59" and growing, both fit comfortably in the back seat. Their hockey and baseball bags fit in the large trunk. Gas mileage thus far has been a lot better than the van the car replaced. The sunroof gets high marks with the kids, but I dont like that it flips up and back rather than into the roof as on other GM cars. The seat-cushion length could be a couple inches longer; I have trouble supporting my thighs without playing with the seat positioning.