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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  I love this car - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By firefriend - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I have had no bad experiences related to this vehicle. It even handled really well when i ran over a piece of sheet metal on the highway going about 70 miles an hour. Its comfortable and responsive.

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  A Good Vehicle at a GREAT PRICE! - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By JJ JOIHNNY J - July 18 - 2:00 am

  FUN TO DRIVE. GREATY TO LOOK AT. VERY VERSATILE AND EASY TO HANDLE FOR A BIIIIG VEHICLE!

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  I love my truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Unicorn - July 18 - 2:00 am

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned, it is great for comuting 100 miles a day to work & the kids love it too

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  zeeyaa - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jar4368 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  great car,power handling looks every thing you could want and 30mpg@80mph,love this beast

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  Impala LS - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Richard Stromberg - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Great Handle, Lots of room , quiet,Great stereo.

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  WIND NOISE - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By JIMMY PURNELL - July 18 - 2:00 am

  WINDOW NOISE EXTRA LOUD ON DRIVER SIDE AND RIGHT REAR WINDOW. AFTER TRYING TO CORRECT SEVERAL TIME DEALER GAVE UP. SAID UNABLE TO CORRECT BUT DID ACKNOWLEDGE THE NOISE. NOISE IS LOUDER NOW THAD WHEN PURCHASED.

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  Update - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bill - July 17 - 10:26 am

  Now, after having this vehicle for 6 months, I dare to say that this car is the most fun to drive car since my 56 Bel-Air. It rides like a much bigger car than it is and is as quiet as my previous Cadillac. And recently I have had the opportuniy to take it on a few road trips and have gotten over 30 mpg on each trip. The car is amazing both in ride, handling and power. The seats are comfortable and easy on the back. Anyone looking for a great car that would be doing themselves a disservice if they dont check this one out.

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  one grreat car - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By 1 happy m/c owner - July 16 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. lots of room inside. great looking outside. bright red paint is perfect. plenty of power.sound system rocks. driver friendly controls. verry comfortable,quiet ride

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  Couldnt be better - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Like It - July 16 - 10:00 am

  The Trailblazer has been by far the best vehicle (at least so far) I have ever owned. In these times of "get a little closer - I cant tell what that is," this new GM SUV offers a fresh and distinctive exterior styling. The best part though is the construction. I have no tolerance for creeks and vibrations - none here, even over potholes. The in-line 6 provides plenty of power. Interior room is more than adequete. On the downside, the dash and center console is of course just a big ole hunk of boring plastic like everything else these days. CD/Stereo is acceptable. A/C is slow to cool but dual temp zones and rear vents/blower make up for it.

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  4 days and loving it - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By smokbeach - July 16 - 6:06 am

  I have owned 50 or more vehicles and this one has been the best right out of the show room. Have an new avalanche also but prefer to drive this.