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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  Review for a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe LT - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By stevnski - December 3 - 10:00 am

  I have had the aforementioned vehicle for 3 months. I bought it with zero miles and now have 1900 miles on it. It has been an excellent vehicle in every way. I had a 2002 Tahoe prior to buying the 2004 and it was also and excellent vehicle. I would strongly recommend anyone in the market for an SUV to consider a Tahoe

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  Equinox is a winner - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By pistol - December 3 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle has been fun to drive and received many positive comments from co-workers. Styling is a step forward for Chevrolet. I own a near fully loaded LT model. Car performed excellent on a trip to the Pocono Mountains. Has the look and feel of more expensive SUVs.

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  Not too sure - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By JayDub92480 - December 3 - 10:00 am

  I think I got a lemon. I have had it for only seven months and already had to replace the 4wd switch and e-brake sensor. I also have a rattle in the dash I cant get rid of. I am trading it in on a Toyota.

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  Love it - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By greg - December 3 - 9:50 am

  I love how comfortable it rides. It looks good and has a lot of room inside to haul things. You can make a lot of adjustments to have the Tahoe fit your needs.

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  Love my car - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By christi - December 3 - 12:01 am

  I drive my car a lot, and I absolutly love it. Its an older car, but I wouldnt want to get rid of it till it died on me, and once that happens ill definitely get another one like it. Its easy to drive, and it did great in the snow surprisingly. Ive taken it on road trips and it was pretty comfortable over a long drive. Wouldnt trade it for the world!

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  Would Buy Again! - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By v.vitulli - December 2 - 9:20 pm

  Quiet ride, very smooth handling. Great on long trips. Gas mileage improved to 22 mpg on hwy and about 12-13 in the city.

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  Good Bang for Buck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Colorado LS - December 2 - 3:11 pm

  Ive had this truck for only 5 months but it has been great so far. It gets great gas mileage (22highway) for a 4x4 truck and 5 cylinder engine (also comes in 2x4, and 4 cylinder engine). This truck is small, drives more like a car than any other truck I have driven, very manuverable and convenient. Compared to any other trucks on the market I think that the Colorados and Canyons (GMC same thing, different label) are the best deal.

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  Another piece of GM Junk - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Tom Bates - December 2 - 2:37 pm

  Door hinges wore out after only two years. I have had leaks in the truck since day one. It couldnt get out of its own shadow, even on a down hill run. It is a base model so there are no electric components to give me any issues(electric locks, windows, etc).

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  Flat out amazing machine - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Dave Mc - December 2 - 1:23 pm

  Hey guys, simply an amazing car. Has power that I promise you will fling you into your seat when you hit the gas. My buddy who has an SL65 AMG said it handles just as well as his car. I have a broken back at age 24, but the seats are SO comfortable, gauges easy to read, heated seats are A NICE feature. Quite simply a car that can be used as an everyday car, or keep it as a garage queen. This car will turns heads, give you the performance, and comfort of a nice sports sedan. Quite simply, one of the finest autos i have ever driven. You certainly will not be dissapointed with this car!

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  Is this really a Chevy? - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By chevy guy - December 2 - 12:06 pm

  If you took the bowties off this SUV you would not believe it is a Chevy. My wife and I are very impressed. It was a leap of faith to order one without actually seeing one like it and driving it. We are not disappointed. Maybe I am too much of a Chevy man with some bias, but this is one great vehicle to drive and ride in with excellent build quality. We got the LTZ in Black Raven (I think that is what its called) and it has some metallic it in. Beautiful especially in the sun.