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 my trailblazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By James Odom - July 17 - 2:00 am

  It is a beautiful SUV to look at, Chevy couldnt have made it look any better. Plus the options you have to suit your needs are unbelievable. Chevy hit it right on the head with this one!!

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  Sport - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By JohnS - July 16 - 1:56 am

  So far, so good. Like other reviews, I am also pleased with the leg room in this car for the driver. The back seats have little room when the seat are all the way back though. However, this car ended up being perfect for me. Although the sport costs a bit more, it was well worth the upgrades: better stereo, wheels, tires, sunroof, auto-gnition, etc. Acceleration is great too.

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  2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 V8 - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Kaitlin - July 15 - 2:43 pm

  I have a 2000 Chevy silverado with 146,000 miles on it. I had a few things go on it. I use this truck to pull a 2 horse bumper pull trailer. Its been good to me. I put in it a rebuild trans had a few things here and there. Now its having a few issues with going in Reverse. If this truck was a 2500 I would keep it. But I live in a hilly area and it struggles with the load to get up the hills. I live Chevy and I like what they offer. This truck been good to me for my needs.

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  Ive had them all - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Brian - July 12 - 8:43 am

  I have owned several Fords and just traded a 2004 Ram hemi for the Silverado. Very happy so far, averaging 19.1 mpg after the 1st 1K miles. Not sure what took me so long to get the Silverado. I bought the 2 wheel drive model due to all of the hiway I drive. Everyone thinks it looks like a 4 wheel drive. It came with traction control, should be fine in winter.

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  I was looking for an Imapla - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Open New Mexico Road - July 12 - 3:46 am

  I was looking for an Impala, but the salesman introduced me and sold me on the sportier sibling, the Monte Carlo. 85% of the 114,000 miles are highway miles...good miles. The 3.8 engine is as strong as the day I bought, and except for two recalls, only had to replace the drivers side power window toggle switch. Still gets good gas mileage, 30 mpg in the city. It was also comforting that I did not have to trade it in when I had to put two car seats, on teenager, and a wife into it. It actually had more seating space than my wifes S-10 Blazer. Has the original paint, no problems except for highway debris. I would love to buy a 2008, but going to keep the 2000 until she cant go no more

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  A Gift From God - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Hann - July 11 - 10:00 am

  Buying a new car is usually a hit or miss afair. My first new car was a Dodge Stratus, give me a break. Nothing but trouble and oil leaks. So I went looking for something differnt. When I saw the white Monte in the showroom, I was hooked. After the test drive I bought the car without remorse. A very sporty and higher performance car with family sedan gas mileage. To anyone thinking about an SS, just take one for a spin.....WOW!

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  My Corvette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Partee - July 11 - 10:00 am

  The Great American Sports Car.

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  love my trailblazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By sean wahl - July 11 - 10:00 am

  me an my wife were wanting an suv. we drove a few different models, including the toyota fourrunner, highlander, and the ford explorer. but once we test drove the trailblazer we loved it! it had a more powerful engine good response and the interior was great the fourrunner lacked headroom, but the trailblazer had plenty of room and it has the features we love

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  This car is fun - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Tim Morell - July 10 - 7:24 pm

  I love being in this car...driving this car... everything about it is cool. I dont know how well it will hold up over the long run as its a new car with a new design --even a new engine (corvette engine now in the camaro). Fingers crossed. The gas mileage isnt great, but with 455 hp, what could you expect. Im averaging 23.5 mpg and getting about 420 miles on a tank of gas. Drove it from North Carolina to S. Florida and up and down the florida interstate every day since for work. Its a blast. I love the sound system too. The tech is a bit glitchy, but Im figuring it out. Same as with any new iPhone or some such thing. Not particularly troubling.

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  So far,So Good - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ski Bum - July 9 - 11:53 am

  I think Chevy got it right this time. I am VERY happy with my Equinox. The interior is roomy, exterior stylish, and best of all, mileage is as advertised (19.5 around town-24/25 hwy) I have 7500 miles logged with no problems. Trips from Pa to Vermont and West Virginia, with no trouble in the snow with only FWD. Fold down the rear seats and all my ski equipment (plus skis) fit nicely.