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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  Best buy for the money - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Rich - August 12 - 2:33 am

  This car drives like a luxury automobile for less than half the price. The standard features of the LTZ model (e.g. side air bags, plush leather seating, premium stereo system, etc.)make this car a real bargain. These features were all optional and expensive on all the foriegn cars that I looked at. The ride and mileage were extra bonuses. I receive 26.5 mpg at an average speed of less than 38 mph. I would encourage everyone looking for a new car to take the time and compare the price and ride with any other model in its class. The controls are very easy to use and program.

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  1st Chevy - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Joanne - August 11 - 6:26 pm

  Great SUV. After driving Jeep Grand Cherokee, didnt think another SUV could be as dependable. I was wrong... living in New England, this SUV has been wonderful. Smooth ride, recommend Equinox to anyone looking to purchase a SUV.

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  White Z71 - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By chxtwo - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I love my Z71 Tahoe. I think the summit white is an eye catcher color. It provides a very comfortable ride for everyone. Its easy to clean....It does very well in the snow. I cannot complain about anything so far except for maybe the gas mileage, but the ride is worth it!

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  Better than the RAM - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By gencour - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1967 RAM 1500 LTD 4WD prior to the 2000 Silverado. The RAM had two breakdowns in the 2nd year. A fuel pump and battery. When I shopped the 2000 mofdel year the RAM could not be gotten with heated seats and electric seat adjustment on both front seats. The Chevy could. I find the Chevy to more "car" like in comfort and driving. Also the lrger engine is more peppy and seems to do better on mioleage. I find the Chevy to be put togrthrr better in the fine details. Ill take teh Chevy in 2004 also.

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  Better than the rest - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jneal - August 6 - 10:50 pm

  This is a great truck. I use it as my daily driver and on the weekends it doubles into my harley hauler/drive to the woods to cut firewood truck. It is much better built than is the Ford or Dodge of this year.

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  Rate it - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Larry Carpenter - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive! Good V8 performance. Very comfortable. Trailers very well. Fit and finish are great! Second Tahoe Ive had and this 02 is Great!

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  2003 Silverado SS: Fun and Functional - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bryan C - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Okay guys, heres the real scoop on SS performance. Im just back from Palm Springs where I hauled my 23 foot travel trailer 120 miles with my new SS. 12.9 mpg while pulling 2 tons+ of trailer (and I wasnt even trying to be conservative!). I set the cruise control at 60 mph, pushed on the trailering button and let it go on its own. To get that kind of performance out of a vehicle thats rated at 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway is awesome! My personal modifications: electric brake control (for trailering), SnugTop solid tonneau cover and carpet kit to the bed. Now, all Ive left to do is tint the windows!

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  My review after 3 years of ownership - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By Jason - August 6 - 2:49 am

  I purchased my 2013 Volt Premium off lease with 14k miles. Then drove it 85% of the time in electric mode for over 3 years to 65k miles. During this time, the ONLY issue was a passenger seat airbag. This car was super reliable and from reading on GM volt forums was “over built”. Meaning GM could not afford to let this car fail. I have since sold the volt and thinking of purchasing a newer generation or Bolt. I feel confident in GM battery technology and from what I have researched these cars are designed to handle 100,000 charge cycles. At 38-40 miles per charge = 380-400k miles on these batteries. Love the comfort of this car, could be quicker. Tight handling and smooth driving car.

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  Follow up on my review - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By tmac6 - August 5 - 4:40 am

  I have now had my 07 duramax 2500HD for two years (see review under by name) Over 30,000 miles later, I am even more impressed with this truck. I have had exactly no major issues.... None! This is not what I had expected since it was an American made truck. This is our car of choice for long trips...it is so comfortable. Gas mileage seems to be getting a little better with diesel engine (around 19 to 21 on long trips, 16 to 18 in town). I would buy this truck all over again.

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  My new daily driver - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bob - August 4 - 6:43 pm

  I had waited for the Camaro to make its official debut before deciding between it and the Mustang/Challenger. For the money asked, the Camaro SS was the best performance bargin. Just over $30K got me 426HP, a 6-speed manual transmission, Brembo brakes, Independent Rear Suspension and a perfectly proportioned coupe body style. This car is fast but can be driven with maturity in city traffic and still return a lot of fun for the time spent behind the wheel. Just listening to the sound of the exhaust as I go through the gears makes even the standard audio system unnecessary. Combined mileage with the V8 is around 18-21 right now. I can live with it. Well worth the wait to get it.