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 was schocked! - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mikelapolson - January 13 - 7:40 am

  After driving a large SUV, I was very impressed with the handling of this much smaller one. I drive a lot of rough, country roads, and the handling around potholes and gravel roads was impressive, as well as the comfort on the interstate. I was shocked with the quality of the interior, and the attractive look of the exterior. What a great little suv for a reasonable price. I test drove several other small suvs, and this one outranked them all by a long shot.

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  2002 Impala - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Lonnie - January 12 - 9:03 pm

  This has been a great car even though I have only owned for four months. It rides and handles great, the seats are as comfortable as any Mazda. Toyota or Nissan I have owned. the fuel milage is as good as any other V-6 by any other manufacturer with more power. By the way I purchased this car after my experiance with my wifes 2001 LS Impala

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  A Car for the AGES - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MyrtleTrace - January 12 - 3:10 pm

  Had to order the car; finally arrived after 8 weeks. The wait was worth it. The 4 cyl. has more then enough pep; no problems with merging into hi-speed traffic. Comfortable front seats; all controls are easy enough to reach; great sound system. The LTZ model has all I wanted in the basic pkg except for the Navigation system which I got. Luv it! Great ride although Ive only got 600 miles on it and have yet to take a "trip" in it.

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  Can anyone say - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By LMXRacer - January 12 - 10:00 am

  I am a sport compact guy, domestic of course. I buy a sub $20,000 car, and modify it for racing, so I am hard on almost every aspect of the car, and both z-24s (my old 99 and my new 02) have held up extremely well. Of course I keep them maintained, but that goes without saying. An excellent base with which to build upon, if you are into this lifestyle as I am. With a few simple engine, exhaust, and tranny mods

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  Cavalier Nightmare - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mark0 - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Low engine coolant light came on after 4 weeks... Crack in Engine block all the coolant drained into the engine and mixed with the oil. Dealer replaced engine. without car for 2 weeks. Then the alternator died at 3 months... Did anyone else have so many problems?

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  Silverado V6 Short Bed - Purchased 11/01 - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By CHEVYTRUCK2002 - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Great new features. I purchased the V6 instead of the V8 due to fuel economy. The V6 has power and does not jolt when using Octane 92-94 during fast accelleration. The manual recommends 87 octanes. I have had a little jolt in the transmission when rapid accellaration with 87 octane. The body has double side galvanized steel so you dont have to worry about nicks and rust. Overall, I feel my Silverado was a great buy that will hold its value for years when compared to other manufactuers - QUALITY and RELIABLE.

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  Love this car! - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Barraboy - January 12 - 8:41 am

  I love the drive and feel of this car. Compared it with others such as the RAV4,CRV etc and you cant beat the value. It is not quite as refined as the CRV on the inside, but boy does it out perform it.

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  Ex-Ford lover - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By dmw1963 - January 12 - 2:00 am

  I never thought I would own a Chevy & love it like this. Ive had the car a year an a half and I still love it. Thats saying a lot for me since Ive owned 12 cars in 22 years, 8 being Fords. Even though I have the smaller six cylinder it has the get up & go when I need it. Its also very comfortable on long trips. Great option to one of the small overpriced coupes.

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  One Honest Review To Another - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By CrisAvalanche - January 12 - 2:00 am

  The coolest thing about this SUT(sport Utility Truck) is that even after I baught it in august 2001 it still turns heads today 3/2002.

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  GO FOR IT! - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gene from Mass - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Well, My all my friends thought I was crazy buying another Impala. But this time it was the LS. Every option. The handling, and performance, make this car. Quiet, tight, responsive! It snowed here in mass last week. When the standard traction controll kicked in It was a like I was driving a 4WD.