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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  Gave American cars a shot - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tyler drew - May 28 - 8:06 pm

  Overall, I am pleased with the vehicle except for the gas mileage. It is for me nowhere near the stated rating, however, I drive with a very heavy foot. The acceleration is nice for the size engine, and the LTZ package offers all the extras except for a moon roof (which I opted for). So far,(3 months) I have found the build quality to be acceptable and I havent had any problems at all. My wife likes the car also, and among vehicles at a comparable price, I think it is a good choice. For me, the Altima, Camry and Maxima didnt do it for me with their interior design (dahboard, cluster arrangements). I figured American manufacturers will have to get their act together, so I gave them a shot.

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  Duramax Reg Cab - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By knute - May 28 - 6:56 pm

  Great performance, have to check the mirrors to see if the car hauler is still behind me when Im towing. Interior seems smaller than my 04 but still comfortable. A little too much bling with the chrome bumpers and the bulges in an attempt to make it look bigger than it really is. Had the front bumper painted black to match the body color. Looks a lot cleaner.

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  I love my trailblazer EXT - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By jobejali - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I think it is a great SUV. I am 26 with two kids and i am not ready for a van and dont want the gas milage of a suburban yet, even though the TB is not too much better. One of the other reviews was that the doors were cheap and the interior was cheap and inside noise. ALl of that is a lie. It is quiet, rides well and the inside of my TB is luxurious and i dont have leather. The thing is built very well.

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  Great New Chevrolet - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Herbert H. Harris - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Having owned many new and used cars in the last thirty years, from Triumph Spitfire to BMW 2002, to Lincoln Town Car, this new Chevy gives a lot of quality, performance, and comfort for the dollar. Even though it is a Chevy/Daewoo and offers less of a warranty than the competition, I chose it because of the Chevy badge. Plain and simple. General Motors is standing behind and with it. It holds five easily, a wheel chair in the trunk, gives a comfortable and suprisingly quiet ride. Handles agile, and peppy when driven for performance.

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  awesome - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By mac4many - May 28 - 10:00 am

  this is one of the best cars ive ever had.

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  Corvette Convertible - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By AnthonyZ - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased a 2004 Corvette convertible after owning a 1998 Corvette for 4 years. The convertible top is extremely easy to manage, and the car is awesome! The only gripe I had is that the vehicle experienced some electrical issues a month after I got it which was covered under warranty. Overall though, its a great car.

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  i tlike this suv - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By saclepto - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I like this suv very much nice room and great power with the 5.3 motor i have pulled some heaviy stuff with it and had no problems at all highly recomm

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  Total Performance - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Von - May 28 - 10:00 am

  My Tahoe has 37000 miles is used as family car and pull camper on vacations. Gas milage 19/20 mpg pulling camper 12/13 mpg. Returned to deal for routine maintance only. Third row seat is little cramped.When time comes will replace with another Tahoe or like vehicle.

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  Tahoe 04 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jackbjr4743 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Had a 2001, loved it and put 80,000 miles on it in 3 years. Mine LT 2Wd. Absolutely great on the Interstate.

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  Z71 Dream Machine! - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By TOMA - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This is definitely the best vehicle I have ever owned. It drives like a small car. The turning radius and handling of this car is simlpy unbelieveable. I would highly recommend the Z71 Tahoe to any potential buyer.