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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  2005 2500HD First 3000 Miles - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Don Underwood - September 5 - 4:13 pm

  Good basic work truck. This is a 2005 2500HD 4X4, regular cab, 6.0 w/manual trans. The manual transmission helps the fuel economy if you keep your foot light on the gas pedal. The first 3000 miles (first month) has been very satisfactory. Highway fuel economy is been slightly over 17 when running 2300 rpms or less. City average about 13.5. Weekly average of mixed hwy/city about 15. Towing (boat) at highway speeds about 13/14.

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  Nice for the Price - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jim Flesher - September 5 - 2:40 am

  As an owner, I am pleased at the handling this car has to offer. If I were to go on what this site said the car had to offer, I wouldnt have purchased this car. I am well pleased with the countless features that are available at this base level. My wife and I enjoy XM satellite, anti lock brakes, rear spoiler, OnStar, nice aluminum wheels, power seat, remote start, not to mention the interior room. The car has enough zip with the V6, that I would not have considered a V8 for the price difference. This car is driven about 80 miles a day and is quite comfortable. As for negatives, I would like to have seen larger mirrors for better visibility and, the styling is boring, not like the old ones

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  You have to drive this car! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Easter - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven Malibus before, but the new restyled 2004 had some pleasent surprises. Great new body styling. Im a big guy and found lots of head, leg and shoulder room. The pedal adjust for shorter drivers. I love the telescoping steering wheel. Fits like a glove. Interior comfort, all the bells a whistles I have enjoyed with larger, more expensive models. I got the XM/On-Star option, nice. Extremely smooth, quiet drive. Large truck. Split, fold down rear seat, and front passenger seat that fold down for transporting. Even my 22 year old son thinks its "fly". (He said that means its a nice car.) A great car at a great price!

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  best suburban yet - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jiminca - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Thus is our 4th suburban. Everything I ever wanted in the way of improving the previous models has been implemented in this model. The driver convienence features exceed anything anyone would have dreampt in a "Chevy". The gas mileage is up and the 5.3 engine is smooth as silk with an increase in horsepower, not to mention it has the same EPA rating as a Honda Civic (ULEV). I also would highly recommend the autoride suspension as it handles great with no bounce or jounce over bumps and sharp curves. The standard XM Radio is worthy of note as well as the standard On-Star system on my "LT" model

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  So Far - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By bone - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Its a dream so far!

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  Awsome truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chevy552 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Its the best chevrolet truck i haved ever owned, and it has pretty good power with the 5.3, and rides better then my 1999 ford xlt 150 4x4

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  Excellent Truck For Towing - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Alex - September 3 - 3:20 pm

  I have owned my Silverado for about 6 months now, and I have had not one problem with the design quality. The engine performance is superb and towing isnt a problem. My 4wd reg cab SB can tow a impressivly 8,100lbs with the v8 5300. I normally tow about 4500lbs with the factory hitch at 80mph effortlessly. Towing like this, there are no major shakes or rattles, bumps are smooth and the truck handles great. I have driven a non Z71 and it was a bit smoother on pavement compared to the stardard base. But offroad performance is much better.

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  love the maxx - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By VICKY HICKS - September 3 - 3:00 pm

  I love my Malibu maxx, I have one problem, cloth seats are dirty just from rain drops in car. Dont know how to clean this-help, rear windsheild wiper just started flippin out. Going to have fixed this weekend.

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  Great car - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Rita - September 3 - 10:46 am

  I love this car. You can hardly tell you hit a bump, and the gas mileage has been great. I drive 100 miles or more a day, and it has not been as bad as I thought it would be. Everything is designed with my family in mind. Well designed!

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  Pleasantly Surprised - Very Nice - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By DJC - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Wasnt looking for a pickup, but with the incentives ($10k off sticker) and tax credits it was a no brainer. This is one fine machine, drives like a dream. First tank and a half, 23.5 mpg at 60-65 mph. This truck looks amazing with black granite metallic paint, chrome wheels and chrome running boards. Got all of the toys avaialble except for the dvd player in back, this thing coddles you. Very pleased that my buy American initiative has had such a good result. Way to go Detroit.