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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  Rocket! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By cowman - April 17 - 10:30 am

  if you are considering this SS....buy it...buy it...love the car, nice rumble at all times. is sneaky fast you will definetly have watch the speedometer, 80 mph comes on quickly, my wife even likes it. Fuel economy with my lead foot to 60 every time,he he he, very acceptable 18 or so, DOD is not even noticeable, there should be a warning sticker that says "2 hands on the wheel" mash the gas, 2 hands or hit the ditch.....some call it torque steer, I call it too much engine on good tires.

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  One Great Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By BBlueAV - April 17 - 10:00 am

  We needed a truck and a sedan. Looked at extended cab pickups; however, there was not enough room. Looked at some club cab pickups....they were ok. Then, the Avalanche. What a wonderful concept. The wife was not crazy about the cladded version; however, one look at the WBH (without body hardware) and we were hooked. Drives great, Smooth. Quiet. Nice full-time 4wd system. And, when you need the room, just take out the window, put the mid-gate down, and your off. Best vehicle Ive ever owned!

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  Great vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Frank Hemphill - April 16 - 5:06 pm

  I bought this car for my wife...she loves it, and so do I. It has all the bells and whistles including a DVD.

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  Satisfied - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By loretta murphy - April 16 - 2:20 pm

  Since I purchased my car new it has given me many miles of satisfaction. I enjoy using it as a "truck" as well as an automobile. The interior design is very easy for accessiblity. Also like the glass in the rear roof with the retractable shades. Great for the grandchildren.

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  AwsomeTruck! Need to improve mpg - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Kyle - April 13 - 6:00 pm

  I have been very impressed with my truck. The Silverado rides so smooth on the highway, I would rather travel in my truck than any other vehicle. Also, mechanically the trick is amazing! The 5.3 is a strong, quiet, and smooth running engine. My ony complaint has been the fuel mileage. It seems the "active fuel management" doesnt help much at all. The rating on the sticker said 16 city and 20 mpg highway. I get closer to 13 city and 15.8 on the highway. I dont think Ill ever see 20mpg. Other than that I am extremely happy with my truck and plan on keeping it a long time! Thanks Chevy for building such a great truck! just need to improve mpg

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  Review #37 - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jason - April 12 - 11:13 pm

  The Chevrolet Tahoe is a great car to drive. I have the LTZ with evrything in it so it is a very fun truck to drive. Not only is it nice on the outside but the inside is also very nice. It is a very smart truck and the navigation and evrything else is reliable in getting you where you need to be

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  Reliable Confortable SUV - 2013 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Joel Garcia - April 12 - 10:12 pm

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  Sporty - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Leigh - April 12 - 6:56 pm

  The Equinox is a very fun car to drive. I have had mine a little over a year and still love it! It has a lot of rear seating space. My friend who is 67 fits in the backseat comfortably. I also play sports and my huge lacrosse bag fits within the cargo space. The stereo system is also very nice as well as the controls on the steering wheel. I feel safe driving and having passengers in this vehicle because of its safety features and handling.

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  Jimmy Horton - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By James Horton - April 12 - 5:40 am

  I am very pleased with my new Colorado. It is very stylish and very fun to drive. The Z71 has an awesome stance and ground clearance. I believe it is the best mid size truck on the market.

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  Great Family Truck - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By renoron - April 11 - 11:40 pm

  Purchased our 2010 Silverado from Michael Hohl in Carson City, NV because I wanted a 4x4. Found this truck, and its been comfortable and reliable with 18000+ miles on it, it is my vehicle of choice for road trips due to reliability, comfort, and gadgets such as USB port and ONSTAR. Had a little Colorado before that, which was a sweet little truck as well. Sorry I had to trade it in.