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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  Best SUV Ever Made - 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Michael McCown - November 15 - 1:07 am

  This Tahoe has the best ride quality, best handling, best acceleration, best gas mileage in its class, and the Bose sound system is amazing. Not to mention the timeless bodystyle.

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  Corvette for the Ages - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ryan - November 15 - 12:58 am

  This car is amazing! I drove my Dads 04 which was auto. It was nice but nothing like this baby. Very fast with 6spd, looks great, turns heads everywhere, and goes FAST!!! Do not settle for less. If this has been your dream car, this is the one to buy! right now!

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  Try It Youll Like It! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Michelle - November 14 - 11:03 pm

  I would recommend this car for anyone who wants a luxury car at a very affordable price. It looks and drives great, and we havent had even a little problem with it. It hasnt been back to the dealer. We purchased the SS with leather seats and they are extremely comfortable. It should be called a large car because there is plenty of room inside and the size takes a bit of getting used to if you have been driving a smaller car. The only complaint I have is the gas mileage which is not what I expected since the sticke said it should get 28 mpg on the highway and the best we have ever gotten is 25 going 70 on the interstate with the cruise on. The 2008 now shows 16-24 which is much more accurate

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  LIke it - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Jay - November 14 - 10:32 pm

  I like this vehicle, I prefer a 4wd but the cost kept me out of it. I enjoy the space and the acceleration, however when hammering it the gas gauge moves quickly to empty. The vehicle is better in traffic than the reviews let on.

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  My Review - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Jessica Ann - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Well I rode in my uncles car twice and I luved it. I am going to buy one next year. They are comfortable, styly, and afordable. I think every one should get one. Jessica

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  monte carlo supercharged ss - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By joe - November 14 - 10:00 am

  its a good looking car and it is fun to drive. it holds up well and although it is a big car with the supercharged ss it gives you alot of power to manuver through traffic and its faarely wide body does not allow alot of body roll. all-in-all its a great car to drive.

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  dream car - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By kelly007 - November 14 - 10:00 am

  great vehicle, except black gets too dirty

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  HB review - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By hossboss - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Its a great vehicle. Lots of fun to drive. Its roomy inside and the stereo system is nice, though I prefer to leave it off lots of the time so I can listen to the V-8. Its a beautiful looking truck too. No real complaints. I knew gas mileage wasnt going to be great before I bought...actually a little better than anticipated.

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  Lemon Hall-of-Fame!! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By andslat - November 14 - 1:52 am

  Well all I have to say is...RUN! Do not buy this vehicle! We bought this vehicle brand-new & we bought it because of the 0%/60mos finacing offered by GMAC. Next time I would suck up the interest and buy foreign, or at least anything but GM! Intake manifold is the latest & greatest of our problems..awaiting final estimate! Many electrical problems, poor fuel mileage, rear hatch handle broke, rear windshield fluid replaced several times, cup-holders broken, etc. I am a "religious upkeep snob" on cars & take great care of my vehicles, but it doesnt matter in this case because GMs major engineering flaws. If you claim to love this vehicle...just wait, your day will come! BIG MISTAKE!

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  Needs Some Work - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Working Man - November 13 - 6:58 pm

  Everyone knows that SUVs dont get the best gas mileage, but I expected to get a little better being I got a 2dr V6. I average about 14 to 15 mpg. Everything wears out really quick. The rear exterior tire carrier has to be lifted up about an inch or so to be latched. If your a home mechanic, youll have fun getting the oil filter off. Im upgrading to a brand new Explorer next week. Ill try another American made one more time.