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 ride - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Brian J Russ - March 12 - 10:00 am

  Great ride and handling. Is an excelent vehicle in snow even though it is only two wheel drive. One of the few vehicle I have driven that is still comfortable after 12 hours of steady driving.

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  AWESOME RIDE - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Stuart W - March 12 - 10:00 am

  the chevy trailblazer 4wd/awd LS is a dream for any consumer. i have found a flawless performance all around. Great onroad and offroad with style and comfort included :)

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  One Year Evaluation - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jolene - March 12 - 5:33 am

  This is the first American vehicle I ever purchased. I am extremely pleased with the performance, design, color, and comfort. There is also plenty of room for 5 to fit comfortably. Its a sharp looking SUV. Thanks Chevrolet, you will always have me as a loyal customer.

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  Incredile Crossover, Incredible Value! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tim M - March 12 - 5:00 am

  I got my Equinox last week and its awesome! I got the LT2, Mocha Steel Metallic, Black/Brownstone Leather, Sunroof and Rear Entertainment. I am currently averaging about 24 MPG combined and hopefully it will go up. No problems so far and the 6 speed auto-transmission shifts very smooth. Fun to drive and very comfortable.

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  sweeeeet - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By BOB - March 12 - 3:47 am

  from an excursion to this.... no comparison. chevy # 1

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  what more could you possibly want? - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ray harrelson - March 12 - 1:44 am

  this is my 4th new vett, the best yet! its got room, comfort, ride, handling,great ecom,unreal power,great looks,at a price no manuf. can even come close to. now match that!!!!!!!!!

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  A Highway Car - 1996 Chevrolet Caprice
  By Wm R Dunton - March 11 - 11:35 pm

  Cruises at 70 mph w/cruise control. Gets 24.5 true mpg at that speed. Replaced factory shocks with stiffer premium shocks and get positive steering and stopping. Not fast at takeoff but enough power from 30to70. Rides very well but not cushy or mushy with P225-75/15 Michelins. Plenty of room (Im 62" 200lbs) Minimal repair cost. Maintained carefully.

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  One Bad AZZ Corvette - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By smith300m - March 11 - 7:00 pm

  Have had the corvette for 2mos. and Love it, best vehicle I have ever owned and I have owned alot in my 26yrs of driving. Power, Ride, Handling , Looks are outstanding.

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  1992 CAMARO R/S CONV. - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By LEO NAVA - March 11 - 4:06 pm

  GREAT RUNNING CAR

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  Good Car - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By jack keller - March 11 - 11:46 am

  Most of my driving is around very heavy traffic and the HHR is perfect for this. I have had it on the freeway and it is not smooth as a large car, it performed very well. I am surprised at the fast aceleration at all speeds. I have had no new car problems. The motor noise is a little loud, but that is a minor thing. I am very satisfied with the car.