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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  Love my Malibu - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By chevpower - April 17 - 10:00 am

  I love my Malibu, it is classy, stylish, and very comfortable to ride/drive in. I love the Bronze exterior as well, paint job is excellent. The best part of this car is the power, excellent kick! The trunk is very, very roomy, and I love all the room on the inside of the vehicle. I would buy a Malibu again! This car is an exceptional value for as little as $10,000.

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  Change for a Dollar - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By healdj - April 17 - 10:00 am

  As I was getting out my Avalanche I herd "Hey, is that one of them there change for a dollar trucks?" "Yep," I said. And then it was off on my normal show a tell for the mid-gate for the Avalanche. This truck gets attention, where ever it goes. Rather its with the mid-gate down and hauling a load of junk to the dump or mid-gate up and rear window in place, hauling the boat to take the family fishing; everyone wants a look at the Avalanche. And I swear, the more attention it gets, the better it runs. Work or play, the Avalanche does it equally well and with style.

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  Very Happy w/ this vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mr. Dan - April 17 - 10:00 am

  This is the first domestic vehicle I have ever owned and I am quite pleased. Initially I wanted a Toyota Tundra (influenced by years of byass) but became very annoyed with the lack of selection and price, so I took a chance on GM. At this point I have 12,000 miles on the truck and have had absolutely no problems other than the door seal squeaking a litte bit, a quick shot of silicon lubricant has solved that problem. The Chevy/GMC does sit a little lower than all of the other brands but I guess that is why it handles so nicely and there is still plenty of clearance for reasonable off roading.

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  Nice truck from GM - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By chen - April 14 - 3:43 am

  before i bought this truck i test drive a new tundra and the tundra is very bumpy, but this Silverado rides smooth and i cant even hear the wind on the window. i love the leather design and the smooth ride of this truck. But there is always a problem to very single vehicle out there. i just have my power door lock and power rear view mirror (passenger side) fixed. and one time all of my interior lights and speedometer, mile indicator, and all gauges just shut-off by themselves while i was still driving. But they came back up in the morning when i went to work and no problem ever since.

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  My Silverado - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mike mullins - April 13 - 7:06 pm

  110% do it all truck no matter weather or conditions, small load or large, with no worries. All around truck. Comfort. Hard worker. If you want a gentle beast, why would anyone throw away their money on any other?

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  My 2 Toned HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By cj krause - April 13 - 5:13 pm

  I love it, hauls a load. Quick, fun to drive, handles curves, turns 180s in a tight radius. Great gas mileage, unreal looks and the ability to customize and make it one of a kind is why I bought it. On the highway I can go over 450 miles before fill up, around town over 350 miles. Nice 16 gal tank and hard to get over 14.5 gal in it on a fill up. Very quiet, too easy to go fast and probably one of the best starter family vehicles on the market. I have customized mine and have won 2- 2nd place and 3 first place trophies in 6 car shows.

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  STONES REVIEW - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By ROYSTONENAPA - April 13 - 10:00 am

  i hAVE A 2001 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500 LT 4WD CREW CAB SHORT BED, I LOVE IT I PUT A 8in LIFT ON THE FRONT AND A 6in LIFT ON THE BACK. I WANT TO BUY A NEW ONE IN OCT.

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  Outstanding value - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By John J D - April 13 - 10:00 am

  The new Equinox is spacious for its class and relatively inexpensive. Interior space is excellent. The engine is responsive. Its ride is firm and comfortable. Front seats offer excellent support. Three average size adults fit in the back easily. Rear storage is ample. The sound system, including XM satellite radio, is good but there are too many controls. The window controls only on the center console take getting used to. However, a good place to have them if you have young children. Overall, at under $30,000 fully loaded, this is an outstanding value.

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  Equinox is Great - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kathyjoe - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Had to wait 10 weeks from order to delivery. WAIT WAS WORTH EVERY DAY. Styling of exterior is outstanding. Stereo system remind me of the reverberation units of the early 60s which makes it sound great without getting the premium system. Gas mileage averaged 24.6mpg on our most recent trip. With the window and front deflector accessories added, my wifes friends tell her it looks sassy (GOOD).Worth every penny.

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  Equinox - 2017 Chevrolet Equinox
  By gloria woodford - April 11 - 10:07 am

  Great vehicle at a great price