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 Truck! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dave123 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  It is a monster... Just what I wanted... The flexibility with the ride and comfort... Lots of fun...

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  Very impressed - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cruzer - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I just traded my Jeep Wrangler for this Chevy Cruze and I thought I would never go back to a chevrolet again but when I drove this car and found out what the gas mileage was I was impressed. Only time will tell just how reliable it is but the quality of the car far outweighs the competitors so far. It doesnt even feel like im driving an economy car. Great job GM!

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  Love This TrailBlazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By LarryU - May 22 - 1:26 am

  This is my first fullsize SUV and I love it. Drives great, looks great, go the DVD system so the kids love it too. Seems to be built solid. Fuel economy is low, but I figured that

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  Best truck I ever owned - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By heart - May 21 - 3:20 am

  I pull a 28 ft race car trailer every weekend. This is the best truck I have ever owned. Plenty of power and torque. The truck is stable while pulling. No more getting blown around when a semi passes me. The interior is roomy enough for my two kids and no problem parking it when we go to the store. The power is impressive! Not as impressive as my dragster. However, the dragster goes from zero to 60 in one second.

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  Best 1st Car! - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By isocom79 - May 21 - 2:00 am

  This was the best and most fun car i have ever driven!

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  A very reliable vehicle - 1990 Chevrolet Astro
  By fanntym - May 21 - 2:00 am

  I have 127,000 miles on my 1990 Astro van and have had no major trouble with it other than a few of the door locks going bad. Its very reliable and its wonderful how well it gets around in the winter time! Im never afraid to go out on the snowy roads here in NW Pa. My in-laws have 300 thousand miles on theirs and still dont hesitate to drive it cross country!

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  I love this car - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Daniel Robles - May 21 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car in early 2000... had it for 2 years. Ive had to change the oil a few times, but other than that, the car runs great! I only spent 6500 on it, and so far, its been a great investment.

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By MICHAEL - May 20 - 3:00 pm

  Went from a hog of a truck to this surprisingly sharp car. Its quick, fanc, and has nice standard features. Car alarm, auto starter.

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  My other SSR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By SSR/HHR - May 20 - 12:36 pm

  It was worth the wait, I own a 2005 SSR and when I saw the HHR I just had to have the remake of the delivery wagon of years past, I was surprised with the pick-up it has, and it just has a style, its Gms better version of the PT cruser.

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  Outstanding - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By JH Lansing MIch. - May 20 - 11:50 am

  I couldnt afford to insure a Dodge Charger R/T so I bought the LT2. Simple, clean almost Teutonic looking ebony interior/control layout. It handles well in the serpentine & is a very solidly constructed car, plus trunk is the size of my living room! I appreciate the excellent gas mileage for a large car & the E85 flex fuel capability. I drive a Ford CVPI 8-10 hours a day & the Impla is a real treat after work. I would recommend GM make this car RWD; & next time Ill get the LT3 or LTZ since Id like a few more ponys under the hood. The Impala just may kill the Camry.