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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  Not bad... - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By dakota - November 24 - 12:06 am

  Honestly, I am very impressed with the interior luxuries of our fully loaded LT. Exterior is a little bizarre, but bearable. As far as performance, anyone who would describe any mini-van as "fun to drive" is really reaching, that, or they have not owned anything else. My van accelerates well and offers reliable safety - precisely why I bought it. Dont get me wrong, Im not trading the Benz in for another one...

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  Love it! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By elemnopea - November 23 - 9:06 pm

  I bought my Trailblazer LT 4X4 from a local Chevy dealership and I love it! It has plenty of pep for passing and smooth acceleration. The ride is a big improvement over the compact car I owned before. The dashboard controls are handy. It has plenty of cargo room for my family. My kids love the rear heat and air conditioning.

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  awesome - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By deb - November 23 - 1:10 pm

  What a head Turner, love the get up and go. Dont feel like your going as fast as you are could get in trouble I think.

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  Comfortable SUV - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mrs. Hanshaw - November 23 - 5:46 am

  Smooth riding SUV and great space. I love the additional features such as wood grain and super audio system.

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  Whits review - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Whitney - November 23 - 4:54 am

  This car has given me a fair amount of trouble. I have had to replace the motor and timing chain. The brakes are going out and the paint on the spoiler is starting to fade and chip away.It has not been very reliable for me.

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  Impresive. Period. - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Gary - November 22 - 10:53 pm

  The car has completely floored me. I love this car to death. I have owned alot of vehicles and I have never fallen in love with a car untill this one. Although I have made a few minor adjustments, this is by far the king of the consumer road. There isnt another car under $100,000.00 that can touch it. Also, for being a 6.0L V8 monster, the MPG is unusually good. Buy one today (just not in Le Mans blue like mine :D)!

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  Disappointed - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Disappointed - November 22 - 5:53 pm

  Nothing but trouble. In less than three years, the cruise control quit working, as did the speedometer, antilock brakes, power door locks, and the gas guage. The front end will not stay aligned, even when mainly driven on highways. No lumbar support in the front seats no leg room in the rear seats. This vehicle has cost more in repairs than many vehicles total purchase and ownership costs. Biggest automotive mistake Ive ever made.

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  Great small car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Tom R. - November 22 - 5:03 pm

  I couldnt believe this was built by GM. I traded my roadworn Civic for this model because I really like the fit and finish of the interior, and general overall apperance.

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  A true family car - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By JeeYem - November 22 - 5:03 pm

  All new 2006 Impala is a run for the money. Beats Toyota Camry in roominess, crash safety ratings, performance and price. The black Impala looks like a premium car from outside, definitely stands out on the road. Impala sets the benchmark for large size family car. If you want roomy, comfortable sedan with "On your face" attitude, go for it. On the negative side, the door locks feel cheap and the side mirrors are small. Doors are heavy and hard to close. I hardly get 24 MPG on highway.

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  The "Zoom Zoom" of the American Cars - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jeff Howard,Cpt,USAr - November 22 - 3:30 pm

  My expectations were not high at the outset when I purchased my new Cobalt LS. I thought I was buying another Chevy Cavalier for the good gas mileage. I was very wrong. Cobalt LS 2 door is beautiful to look at and fun to drive. The ride is exceptional and the handling is finer than any sports car Ive ever driven. Accelleration is quick and braking is smooth and accurate. As for the gas mileage? I was expecting high 20s in the city and about 32 on the highway. Not so! I get a little heavy in the foot at times and still get 30-32 mpg in the city. On the highway? Step back! Im consistently getting 37-38 mpg. WOW! Every seat is comfortable, and for a tall man, how could I possibly be happier? Ive not found any room for improvement on a job well done. Ive owned Fords, Buicks, Dodge cars and trucks, Chrysler cars and convertibles, Merkur Scorpios (very impressive car), and driven cars and trucks of every description. Ive always found fault somewhere. Not so on the Chevy Cobalt coupe.