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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  Wow! 505hp Super car - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bob Burns - May 26 - 5:12 pm

  I have owned fast cars, but this car is in the super fast class. What a fun car to drive everyday. Driving slow or fast this car will make you very happy. If you can find one.....Buy it!

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  Rons Z06 - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By CorvetteRon - May 26 - 4:35 pm

  My Velocity Yellow 2006 ZO6 is my 14th Corvette and is the best of the group by far. I owned a couple of ZR1s and 3 Z06s and there is no comparison to this beast. Chevy keeps improving the Vette with each generation and each model year. The car is as tame or as wild as you want it to be. It is great around town or on the road.

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  Satisfied owner - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By steve - May 26 - 4:33 pm

  Vehicle has been completely trouble free for 100,000 miles. Very solid and stable at high speeds has held up real well as a vehicle used for kids sports and to towing my boat. I will be buying a new one in the fall. Just the most vehicle for the money in the market.

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  Very happy customer - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By holley - May 26 - 3:33 pm

  This is the first SUV Ive owned, but I do have a 01 Silverado truck and use an 05 Yukon company vehicle. I love this Tahoe. It has very comfy seats and rides like a cruiser not a truck. I love the new exterior design and the dash/interior is very appealing. Ive had a little bit of trouble getting the inside temp to feel regulated (seem to feel a draft on my left leg while driving) but controls are still very new to me. I wish I had the auto fold side view mirrors, probably only because Im still taking it to the car wash a lot! Not many vehicles Ive ever been extremely excited about but, so far, so good on this one!

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  Survivor - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Kelly - May 26 - 3:16 pm

  I really enjoyed having this vehicle. To me it was the best vehicle in its price range at the time. I had owned this vehicle for about a year. I had totaled this vehicle in a rollover accident. Me and my passenger walked away with just scratches. That says something for the safety of the vehicle. I was disappointed that it had rolled over so easily though. Just a sharp turn of the steering wheel at 65MPH with the trunk full and it flipped down the median of the highway several times. I am afraid to own another one but will purchase a similar style of vehicle.

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  Wonderful Car - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By mizzoutiger18 - May 26 - 2:30 pm

  This is the first car Ive ever bought and I love it. Its such a smooth ride and it gets great gas mileage.

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  04 Z06 Commemerative Edition - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By machineman - May 26 - 12:47 pm

  Fun to drive, handles great. Never had any problems, mechanical or otherwise.It gets great gas mileage 28 MPG on the highway as long as you are cruising in 6th gear. What more can you ask for from a 405HP machine? It is what it is, a factory ready race car with a few amenities thrown in like A/C, a radio, CD player, power windows and locks. You drive it youre hooked!

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  nice car but a rattle-trap interior - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By kenny6071 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  I really like the car except for the constant rattle in the glove box door and the unusually high road noise. You may not feel every bump in the road but you sure can hear it. The car has been this way ever since I bought it. It is great to be able to fit 2 shopping carts of food in the trunk, and another cart full in the back seat area! The stereo is nice but needs better sounding rear speakers. 24K miles later, it is showing its age as well as feeling its age. The car doesnt feel as robust as it was when new. So far no major mechanical problems!

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  The Best Sports/Sedan to drive! - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Sanders187 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  This car is a true family mans dream to drive and own! Youll like it for its family capalbilities, and its super sporty look. Super fast, Super safe. Great gas milage to, and when you gotta get somewhere this car can take you their quick and in style.

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  Fix my seats & its ready for next owner - 2001 Chevrolet Express
  By what a soccer van! - May 25 - 7:59 pm

  Four kids each with his own space we couldnt be happier. Great layout inside and all the geegaws kept the kids quiet while we talked. Easy to drive. We made long trips with cargo packed in the rear and everybody well pleased. This car was targeted at us, and we loved it.