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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  Tahoe is the way to go! - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By The Perlee Family - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I highly reccomend the Tahoe Lt 4x4. It is very very comfertable and is not only a great family car, but a fun toy too! The leather heated seats help so much with back pain. The heat eases it away. The dvd/tv is great to keep the kids busy while going on very long trips.I had a sun roof put in by the dealer which is nice. I can look up at the stars and enjoy!!! The only not so good thing is the trunk space. It is very limited, but if you dont need the very back seats you can fold them down and it makes more room. So its not that big of a deal. (The LT seats 8 and the Z71 seats only 5.) I love my tahoe !!!!

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  I love it - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By white04tblt - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I love the Truck. I upgraded for a 97 Blazer to a 04 Trailblazer LT. I love the way it drives and handles. Great buy also

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  Excellent Car for the Money - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Doug R - August 29 - 9:00 pm

  I love the unique styling of the HHR. I am always getting comments about how it looks. The drive and economy is better than I expected, but am grateful because I spend a lot of time behind the wheel. Very spacious for the size.

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  Love the power! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dana Phillips - August 29 - 5:53 pm

  The 2006 Impala has quick pick up and power that makes it fun to drive. We love to drive it and the kids friends think its a cool car.

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  Still pinching myself. Love it! - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Brent - August 28 - 11:40 pm

  Loved my F150, it drove, rode and handled wonderfully (Reg cab, 4.6 V8) and got 15.2 avg mpg. Needed something bigger, and found the Chevrolet head and shoulders above my Ford. I was pleasantly surprised. The ride, fit and ergonomics of my Silverado are just as close to perfect as I can imagine.

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  LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!!!! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By DANG-I-LOVE-MY-TRUCK - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought the first z71 I could find in Nashville. I have loved this thing ever since I saw it in motortrend a couple years ago. Ive got 35000 miles on my truck and have had a couple of rattles in the suspension that had to be fixed, but this truck is the greatest thing on 4 wheels. An engineering masterpiece!! A+++++++++

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  09 Silverado excab 5.3 - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 09 Texas Edition - August 27 - 11:46 am

  I bought my Silverado in 10/09 new from the dealer with 36 miles. Currently I have 8,550 and have not had any problems AT ALL. Not even a rattle. I have blue granite Texas Edition extended cab with the 5.3 engine. My mpg has been 16-18 city driving. I have the LT and wish I would have got the LTZ. Sorry you other guys are having so many problems. Are you sure youre not driving an F150?

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  heavy chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By philly357 - August 25 - 10:00 am

  this car is the best car you can buy

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  RANGER KILLER - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By RRB - August 25 - 10:00 am

  DAKOTA`S,FRONTIER`S AND TACOMA`S TOO. THOSE GUY`S HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

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  Commemorative Edition Z06 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 2vettes - August 25 - 10:00 am

  I had a red 1998 convertible with an automatic (got it so early, couldnt chose transmission) and just got a Commemorative Edition Z06. The performance difference is really spectacular. I wish they would lose that horrible interior rubbery black plastic stuff that wont stay or even get clean but thats my only complaint. Nothing like it for the price. Note to those with carbon fiber hoods: To close, apply pressure above the latch on each side until it clicks. Its too light to drop and have it latch.