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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  future classic - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By b-rett - January 16 - 10:00 am

  best car for money. runs and handles great.

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  Trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By avce360 - January 16 - 10:00 am

  Great all around vehicle

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  Smoking SS - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jonesy - January 16 - 10:00 am

  I traded in a 2002 chevrolet extreme, on my new ss. Gas mileage has suprised me its been getting about 17.8 in the city. This truck attracts so much attention people almost drive into the side of you, or rear end someone else. trying to figure out what kind of truck it is, and who is driving it.

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  Underrated Excellent Competitor - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Linda - January 16 - 9:30 am

  Maxx is a mini-Saab. Good foreign feel, interior a bit basic. If Chevy invested in upgraded interior materials this car can compete with imports hands down. Good mileage, great pickup excellent style. I researched BMW, Saab, Volkswagon Wagons Maxx best value for the dollar. Just wish the interior could compete with imports.

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  Very Nice!! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Lance - January 14 - 8:20 am

  Had a Dodge Minivan and wanted something different. We looked at Dodge Journey, Jeep Commander, and the new Minivans and decided that the Traverse felt the best to drive and was the sharpest looking.

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  Overall.. fun car to drive - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By DMAN - January 14 - 6:13 am

  A full sized car that handles like a hot rod, comfortable, good looking car. I am used to driving performance cars in the past. I could not believe the power the ss has to offer along with the handling. I am also pleased with the braking capabilities of the ss. No problems as yet, but still early to tell. I purchased the extended warranty just due to the engine and transmission.

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  Early Owner - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Scott - January 13 - 3:46 am

  Owning the Equinox has been very nice. If I were to change anything, it would be to give it a bigger gas tank. It is about the same size as a cars but with SUV mileage, I find myself at the pump more often than I think I should. Gas mileage is good for its size.

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  Excellent truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By scott - January 11 - 11:40 am

  This truck is going to help pull GM out of the red and put chevy back in front. The gas mileage is very good for a truck and the ride is very solid. I am very happy with the new 07 and look forward to the availability of aftermarket parts.

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  B-E-A-utiful Corvette Z06!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Matthew Aaron Homer - January 10 - 10:00 am

  ******My favorite car****Corvette****I love the Corvette Z06!It is so B-E-A- utiful with its design and the proformance****0-60 in 3.9 secs is aammaazziinngg!!!I would rather have a Corvette Z06 than a Dodge Viper SRT-10!! I would MUCH rather have a Corvette Z06 than any BMW because I HATE BMWs!!I call BMWs BMDumbs!!!And the top speed on a BMW Z4 is about 140 m.p.h.!HA-HA- HA**And the top speed of the non- turbocharged Corvette Z06 is about 195 m.p.h.****I hope the Corvette stays my FAVORITE CAR!!!Thanx for reading my review*****

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  Really great Off road, Powerful - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MaineMan - January 10 - 10:00 am

  this car is awesome. iT IS BEAUTIFUL, HANDLES WELL, DOESNT DRIVE LIKE A TRUCK, BUT DEFINEATELY NOT A CUTE-UTE.