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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  good truck, but.... - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jimmy g - November 15 - 10:00 am

  I would suggest this SUV to those who like having lots of interior space. the performance is great and the handling is responsive. I really like the room on the inside, especially if you are over six feet. The only complaint I have is the leg room in the back seat if the front passengers have their seats back.

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  THE BEST CAR EVER - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By TERA - November 15 - 10:00 am

  If you are looking into getting an SUV, this is the one to get. Im not kidding. No other car that i have ever been in, in my whole life can even compare to my Tahoe.

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  lead slead returns from the dead - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By g hp - November 15 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed my many trips to the gas stations in my area as this thing is very thirtsy. Its heavy, hard to park due to 4 wheel steering that it dosent have but needs. It is how everever, fun to drive and it tow my trailer with little problems..since adding a blower to the motor adding 150 horse power. Maintence is straight forwrard and the dealer has been excellent on my normal service routien. the soound system is great and its a breese to drive down the highway with not too much cabin noise. I would rate this vehicle as an 8..due to the turning radius. As far as relialble....couldnt be happier!!!

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  lsdjal;kf - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Josh Fredette - November 15 - 10:00 am

  this vehicle has been my dream for at least 10 years i used to own an old 1979 chevy truck that lasted a long time and it would still be going today if i hadnt junked it but this truck is my best truck i used to have i used to have a toyota and this truck is alot better than this and it will always be better rest in piece

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  A good choice car to buy or lease - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Norman - November 14 - 11:10 pm

  I have been leasing a Chevy Monte Carlo for 8 years. I have yet to have had any trouble with the car. The only service I have to do is to change the oil. What better car can there be then this car?

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  Very Impressed - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By GaVette - November 14 - 10:50 pm

  Just purchased a pre-owned 2006 Equinox with 12000 miles on odometer. Love the styling, cargo carrying capacity, seat flexibility and comfort, all of the bells and whistles, and quietness of the interior and comfortable ride

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  Awesome Car! - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By David - November 14 - 8:54 pm

  I love Chevy, The Impala is an awesome car, and extremely reliable. Never have any problems with mine. I put a lot of miles on it, and it still has the power and comfort.

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  Suspension Problems TSB noted - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By JLW - November 14 - 7:04 pm

  Love the car however, in month 2 or 3 creaking and popping started from suspension, and got worse as the months progressed. Finally took it in a year later and they said the bushings on the stabilizer arms were no good. I thought to myself how could bushings go bad in 2-3 months on a brand new car? Took it in, and they replaced them and it made a noticable difference. However creaking and popping is still there and Im trying to isolate where. I think its now in the back. Not happy at all with the suspension on this brand new car. Its due to the heavy swing of the car, its height and poor/or improperly selected/or placed suspension components. Going back again for the remaining creaks, stay tuned.

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  From Mini Van Hell to Suburban Heaven - 1993 Chevrolet Suburban
  By irishdaddyo - November 14 - 11:16 am

  The Voyager died with 2 payments left on it. We needed a bus to cart around our 5 children. The trendy friends were aghast. Everyone said we had lost our marbles. This is the greatest vehicle! Inside is bigger than a studio apartment and kids cant touch each other. Theres tons of room for bikes, groceries, tools, lumber, you name it. It chews up the highway, gets better mileage than my new Ram 1500 V6. Goes anywhere! 4x4 so Ill never have to worry about the "S" word again! Its heavy and safe. Its so comfortable, we nicknamed it the "Big Comfy Couch". Its bright red paint gets us confused for a fire vehicle! The best $2800 Ive ever spent. Let the Yuppies sneer, well eat their Rendevous!

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  The Best Ride on the Road - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ronald Holstein - November 14 - 11:06 am

  This is the first truck we have purchased in twenty years. The ride and comfort is incredible. The support the seats give my back allows me to drive without discomfort. We would like to add that prior to purchasing this vehicle we rented Ford, Chevy, Dodge Ram, 2 wheel and four wheel drives, before making a decision. Our choice is obvious as to load carrying, ride comfort, and gas mileage. Chevrolet is the only vehicle that offers OnStar. My suggestion to anyone that that is about to purchase a vehicle go to Enterprise Rentals they have 2 wheel and 4 wheel new trucks. Rent each one drive at least 600 miles then put a 1500 pound load on each vehicle & see for yourself before you buy.