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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  2003 Impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Adeline - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I really like this vehicle. It is much easier to get out of than previously owned vehicles. The one thing I am disappointed in is the gas milage. I thought it would do better especially on trips.

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  Impala: beauty and comfort - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By jannashops - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I have enjoyed not only the comfort of the vehicle and its roomy plush seats and roomy truck, but also its beauty and the mileage I get out of this car.

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  IMPALA - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By DANIELLE DOBBS - July 24 - 2:00 am

  WE GOT THE BETTER PRICE FOR THIS FULL SIZE CAR THAN ALL MID SIZE THAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR. IT IS THE MOST COMFORTABLE AND MOST SLEEK LOOKING CAR WE LOOKED AT. IVE BEEN TOLD I HAVE A "GREY PUPON" CAR.

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  Decent American Car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mark DiDomenico - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Great on gas and the upgraded suspension makes for great handling. Quiet,fast,and gas efficient. It is a big step over most offerings at this price level!

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  Mrs Kerri Niemiec - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Kerri Niemiec - July 24 - 2:00 am

  This is a great ride the onstar is a plus

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  new car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By t.d.cotman - July 24 - 2:00 am

  it is a well designed and comfortable car the sound system is very good and the handling is great in the city and on the highway it is a great buy and the dealer was more than fair

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  Chevy Impala 2000 - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By RLTJ - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love with my Impala the minute I sat in it. I absolutely had to have it, nothing else would do.

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  trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mrhoda - July 24 - 2:00 am

  we love our trailblazer.its fun to drive and it handles the road like a dream. i have always driven a car and swore i would never have a "truck". after the trailblazer, i will never go back to a car.

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  AWD LT - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By george d - July 22 - 10:30 pm

  This vehicle has a nice ride and has plenty of interior room. It also has many set up options. It handles well in snowy or dry roads.

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  New believer - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Towing 4 a living - July 22 - 7:20 pm

  Got the 6.6 Duramax diesel with the Alison 6 speed. Rated #1 for 08. Tows like a champ, Plenty of power. LT2 package, rear differential locker, Bose speaker package, OnStar, XM radio. I added a spray in bedliner and sliding 5th hitch too. My opinion is that Chevy is far superior to Dodge Cummins 5.9L. Go get one.