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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  Love my MC!! - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By callen - December 12 - 10:00 am

  The styling on this car is irresistable. Extremely roomy, comfortable, fun to drive and looks GREAT! Have not had a single problem with the car; couldnt be more reliable. Im planning on selling my 00 LS and upgrading to another MC, the SS this time though. GM does it again!!

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  silverado review - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Iliad - December 12 - 10:00 am

  An excellent truck. No mechanical or finish flaws, has given excellent service. Often get 20+ mpg on the highway, overall mpg is 17.2 for 78000 miles.

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  Awesome! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Erv - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I had $30+K to spend on the Japanese SUVs look all to foo foo and fancy. I wanted an SUV not a glorified minivan like the Acuras and Hondas...I looked at the ford, but for some reason its shape didnt catch me. I liked the GM SUVs (my dad has a 2002 Envoy). With the power it has and the features it comes with, it has what the fake SUVs have also and then some in regards to power. Plus it rides on a true SUV platform not a retorfitted minivan platform. On the downside, fit nad finish is still subpar. Overall, I have owned in for a few weeks now, and I love it.

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  GM hit a homer! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By john - December 12 - 12:53 am

  This car is certainly not a race car, but I didnt want that anyway!Its fun to drive, has a very comfy ride, looks nice, and seems to be built very well. I have had many cars domestic and foreign. I would have to say this car is as nice and built as well as any foreign car. Very happy

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  Als SS - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By big als ss - December 11 - 10:23 pm

  This is the 1 GM car I have bought in over 15 years as I have alway bought a German built auto. I find that this MC SS is a great value but the are area that GM cheap out on and that is in the interior. Tthey could use a lesion from Audi or VW how to make a very nice interior and keep cost down. The performance of the 5.3 liter v8 is outstanding as well as the comfort of the car. Gas mileage is so so about 18.5 20 mpg so far. I have spent time in a 1992 Corvette and have gotten over 29 mpg with it so I know GM can make this happen. This is a fun car to drive and be seen in.

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  A Great Value - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ramond Chiaramonte - December 11 - 4:03 pm

  I am really impressed with this car. I think it provides a very classy car at a great price. It is extremely quiet and the bose stereo system is awesome. I love the styling especially the rear and side. I think it is conservative, but really good looking in a way that is not trendy in the way some cars are. It will remain in style for a long time. It has excellent trunk space and a very usable large trunk. I also really like the way the back seat folds. Anyone I have driven with in the car has been very impressed. I think that the car will be a big seller. I owned a 2003 Impala that I also liked, but this new Impala is far superior in every was. I would recommend it to anyone.

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  Great Truck - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Eric - December 11 - 3:33 pm

  4wd 1500 5.3L HO engine. Averaging 18.55 mpg highway and city. Great power, comfortable seats, interior is no nonsense. I would buy another in a heart beat. I put about 1.5K a month on my truck and it runs great.

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  Nice Truck! - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dr Ness - December 11 - 4:00 am

  I compared this truck with the F150, Dodge Ram (junk), and the old and new Tundras. This was by far the best truck for the money and Im completely happy with it. The flex fuel option was the difference over the Toyota, which came is a close second followed closely by the F150. Fit and finish is a drastic improvement over the Classic model and I think better than the Toyota. Fuel economy is in the 18 range on the highway. 16 combined. Not bad for a truck and far better then the Ford (my dad has one) or Toyota. The last review must have been for the Classic model because GM hit a home run with this new Silverado. My first Chevrolet in 30 years of driving. Must say something!

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  Lots of go for less gas! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By K Johnson - December 10 - 10:36 pm

  Cant believe the fuel mileage when this 5.3L small block V8 drops down to the 4 Cyl mode. I made nearly 30MPG on a freeway trip! Average with combined driving has been in the low to mid 20s. When I step on this thing, it goes. I like the exterior. Great stereo. A little too much plastic on the dash, especially in front of the passenger seat. However, plasticy interiors seem to be the norm today. Cant beat the V8 rumble out of the dual exhaust. If you get too deep into the throttle the front tires will break loose and you will experience a little torque steer. All in all, while the car is very new, I have been extremely happy with the purchase.

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  Now this is a family SUV - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By patty - December 10 - 5:13 am

  We traded in an 04 Tahoe, So far the gas mileage seems to be about 3 miles per gal better hwy/city combined. Have not taken it on a long trip, yet the engine switchs from 4 - 8 cylinders with no effort. The ride is like a car, handling and parking very easy to manuver. The radio with the fav pages makes it easy to switch to your favorite stations. Absolutely love the new Tahoe! GM did a great job!