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 This Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By daltam69 - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I opted for the 4.8L V8 - wanted the 5.3 but cost $1400 more. Very happy with the smoothness and delivery of the 275 HP from this motor - has more than enough oomph! for what I use it for (hauling people/stuff to and from games/home depot, occasional towing) and Im getting better gas mileage than my 3.0L V6 95 4Runner got. Excellent comfort/room for six. All smiles, no complaints yet.

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  I love my 99 Blazer - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Reyn - March 4 - 6:37 am

  This is the most reliable car that I ever owened since 1967.

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  I love this car! - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By 1 HOT MONTE CARLO SS - March 3 - 7:50 pm

  I got an 01 Monte Carlo and have the best time driving it! Love the room and power. Much has improved since the 90s that I had. I would keep buying this car as long as it keeps on giving me good service. And for those other guys who say that their Monte Carlo is junk then they must be doing something wrong! Because funny thing i have naver had any trouble with my cars like that.

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  More car for the money - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Todd Holcomb - March 2 - 1:20 pm

  I bought my wife a 2009 Camry XLE in the fall and wanted to buy myself something different when our van died. I test drove the Accord, Altima, and Malibu. The Malibu was the quietest and smoothest ride of the three. Also, when it came down to price I felt like I got more car for my money. I bought the 2LT model.

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  LTZ ROCKS! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By edburck - March 2 - 11:16 am

  I LOVE my Chevy TrailBLazer LTZ.

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  NASCAR Inspired Monte - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Roland - February 28 - 6:33 pm

  This is a fun car to drive with great power for a 4.9l. The body and fuel economy is outstanding for a 3400 pound car. Show me a car with that weight getting that kind of fuel economy with the price under 24k considering all the other models in its class. I will say I have the upgraded stereo and it stinks bad! Sound like the stereo is out of phase. Other than that I think it is a great car well worth a serious look at.

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  Nice Surprise - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Lifewriter - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I happened upon this car with no prior knowledge of this model; and with a less than positive attitude towards the cavalier in general. Seeing this last LS coupe sport package on the lot, and then driving it changed my mind forever. Im extremely pleased with this car!

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  Great vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By jst4kel - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 5 new cars in the last 8 years. This one meets and exceeds all my expectations. I am very pleased with my TrailBlazer!

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  I love this truck ! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By kmp - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Everything about this truck is great, including the experience we had with Todd at the dealership. It has all the features & comfort youd want in a car but in a truck !! We looked at many SUVs before buying, once we test drove the trailblazer - - it was sold.

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  Best Little Pick Up For Your Money - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dalefan - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Aside from being appealing to the eye, the Silverado rides like a luxury car. The interior is luxurious comfort and all controls are within easy reach. The stability is unsurpassed for a truck in this catagory. The engine is powerful, smooth and quiet running. Using the 4 wheel drive is simple and smooth. Ive been off road in mine and it goes through anything, mud, gravel,standing water. All in all I highly recommend this vehicle. It will turn everybodys head and keep you on the road every day.