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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  American tough - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By IDLE13 - March 21 - 10:08 am

  I bought this car a few months ago cheap! Its been super reliable and gets great gas mileage. Perfect for someone on a tight buget or someone looking to mod a car. With its OHV engine it produce good steady power.

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  You Will Love This Car! - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Voyager20 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Despite what the experts say, this car is a beauty to drive! I have currently a 1993 Cavalier and had a 1997, my new 2004 has as much pep as my 1993 and upgraded on the 1997. The Ecotec engine is smooth and surprisingly powerful and doenst sound like its straining when you step on the accelerator. The transmission shifts effortlessly and doesnt have the "spongey" feel like on the 1997 model. The brakes are firm and need little effort for braking. Plus it handles amazingly well and is very nimble on the highway not to mention the nice fuel economy especially with the oil companies inflated rates. In short I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!

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  AWESOME CAR - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By TONYS04 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Just bought my first vette since wanting one since I was 17. WOW what a car. Power, ride and the looks. Too bad i waited 17 years to get one. Its a great sports car for the value. I have a 2004 Commerative edition, the color is great. WOW!WOW!

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  TRUE AMERICAN SPORTS CAR - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By SYDNEY - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE OWNED TWO PREVIOUS CORVETTES, A 1970 AND A 1976, AND JUST PURCHASED A 2004 COUPE. WOW! THE ENGINEERS AND DESIGN FOLKS AT G.M. ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED ON CREATING THE BEST VETTE YET. IT RIDES AND HANDLES LIKE A DREAM AND IS A "HEADTURNER" NO MATTER WHERE I TAKE IT. IN ADDITION, IT HAS PLENTY OF SPACE FOR MY GOLF CLUBS AND GETS GREAT GAS MILEAGE. LIFE IS GOOD.

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  Rides like a dream - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Ridin in style - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This is the 1st vehicle I have ever owned that has everything I wanted in a automobile. It has such a smooth ride and great interior room and comfort. The power is incredible for a 6 cylinder. Acceleration onto highways is more than enough. As for the "reviews" about poor handling in the corners, SLOW DOWN, your not at INDY!

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  Colorado A+ Vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By L.Sparrow - March 21 - 5:19 am

  I have driven mine 18,000 miles-many of which I have towed a 12 foot enclosed trailer, the truck gets decent mileage and has ample power. The 4wd works great and the ride is firm but not harsh.For my part I feel the engine is a little small, the truck is designed to compete in the midsize market--but the engine option 3.5 is a little small for my part, it doesnt have the towing ability of my 1996 S10 Blazer..

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  Love It - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By LOVE IT - March 20 - 10:52 pm

  We love this van. I have looked at them all and this one gave us the room that we need. It does not feel like you are driving a van. It’s great on gas too. Lots of space and much more

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  Cant Beat a Vette C5 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Donna Kuemmer - March 20 - 10:33 pm

  This Vette was purchased New on 4/04,It has been garaged since new & I cant wait to drive it! Handles & Hauls! Great sports car & fuel mileage car. Never driven in the foul weather such as rain / snow since we live in the N.E.,U.S.A. Highly recommended we have (2) in our stable.

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  Best work van - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By ccoker5 - March 20 - 8:45 pm

  After years of driving an Express van for work I was afraid the Uplander wouldnt have the space I needed. But the 2 side doors actually make it easier to get my things out and the fuel economy is way better than my old Express. It is far more comfortable and for the price I couldnt be happier. I think its a great electricians van. Acceleration is poor, but Ill trade for gas mileage. I save $300 a month in gas over my old Dodge 350 van.

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  A Better Cruiser than PT - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Clint - March 20 - 7:13 pm

  My only gripes with my HHR 2LT are that: 1. The rear spoiler (which I did not order) is a *requirement* to keep rain/snow runoff off of the back glass. Its difficult to see; 2. There was no available back-up sensor. Its difficult to see when parallel parking; 3. The supercharged engine from the Cobalt is NOT available; 4. The mileage isnt great for a 4- cylinder. It would probably be better with a 5-speed automatic (like is offered in the Honda Civic...a like-priced vehicle). Other than these items, its quite a lot of vehicle for the price. Front and side visibility are great, the breaks have good feel, the controls are thoughtfully laid out. Good bang-for-the-buck!