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 American Car on the Road - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By MP - August 19 - 4:52 pm

  I just cant believe this car, its like driving a couch, its so comfortable. The performance is tip top, the leather wears great, the XM Radio is excellent as well as the control knobs on the steering wheel. It is without a doubt the most comfortable car I have ever owned. Yes the styling is a little aged, but who cares? It is a non-descript car in a time where everyone wants to stand out. It stands out by blending in.

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  Seats - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By madd - August 19 - 1:14 pm

  The front seat wont go back far enough. No leg room on second row seats. To access third row seats one must crawl between the second row seats (very difficult) The third row seats are too heavy to remove @ 75 lbs each. All 4 brakes had to be turned down at 6500 miles due to warped roters. Air conditioner is week in the front, takes about 10 minutes before cold air comes out.

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  Sublime... - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Gaurang Khetan - August 19 - 7:40 am

  Pros: Great ride, handling, steering, comfort, feature-full, very well designed, Great engine, Innovative Maxx concept, great value. Did I mention rear space? Cons: moderate wind noise at high speeds; a somewhat vague feeling in steering and suspension(i love it now) There is no match in this price range. I simply love this car -- in fact, I drive the longer routes, so that I can spend more time in it. The car handles very well, the steering is easy (the variable assist electric steering gives you comfortable and easy control of the steering), ride is quick and very comfortable, the engine hardly makes any sound, car is VERY smooth, a joyous ride (try it once).

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  First review - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Marv Smith - August 19 - 3:43 am

  Sportside good looking.I have had many trucks, Chevys, fords, jeeps and dodge. I think the assembly quality has gone way down. Mostly interior fit is bad from the side window post to the driver door trim is not good. Outside front wheel whell is 1 inch different from right side. Splash covers are not the same. Center cup holder is a pain where it is.

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  My First Car - 1994 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Blaine - August 19 - 1:59 am

  While the car has had the problems of any used car, it is a rather enjoyable car. One of my best friends had the Z34 as his first so we spend alot of time talking about the cars. While not what I had thought I would own for a first car all in all it is not bad for something I had to buy to get to a job. The car is American made which makes all the diffrence to me.

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  Looks Good, Runs Good, But Bad Fan - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By B-Cat - August 18 - 10:22 pm

  I love the Chevy Colorado for its fuel economy and stylish exterior. However, my fan only runs on high. The other 3 speeds dont do a thing. It wasnt purchased like this, but seems to be a manufacturer defect. Three months ownership and 3 trips to have the fan repaired. The Chevy Colorado loses much of its sportiness with this problem.

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  2001 Vette - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Robert Chiu - August 18 - 5:08 pm

  I purchased this car new. Nothing comes close performance-wise for the price. However, for the price, the build quality and attention to detail are poor. I had a torn weatherstip on the drivers side in the first year, broken rain gutter the second year, three dead batteries and one alternator replacement in the third year, and recently transmission grinding while shifting into 3rd and 5th. Now I know why GM stock is junk.

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  Best Used Car - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Richard_Roma - August 18 - 4:15 pm

  Best used car I ever owned. A steal at current prices. Nice ones can be had with reasonable mileage for uner $7500. Last year ever made, I wish Chevy and Toyota still offered them. (Its a Corolla). Id buy a brand new one if available today. But no, have to go with the 2002.

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  Tahoe - What a great SUV - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By burt13 - August 18 - 2:44 pm

  I have a 98 Tahoe which I bought in 99 with 22,000 miles. It now has 110,000 miles on it. I have had to have a few things done to it like have the brake master cylinder replaced, a new alternator and the lower gasket seal replaced. In addition the transmission slider bar snapped which needed replacing, strip down of transmission! Although I have had to replace these items over the last 6 years, the Tahoe has been great to drive, especially on our long haul trips to see family in other states. Nothing like the roominess this vehicle has. Iam getting ready to trade her in and will be sad to do so, but with the rising cost of gas these days and the currents offers now is a good time.

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  2008 Sport Equinox! - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By David A. Smith - August 18 - 5:33 am

  I test drove the 2007 Equinox and was not very impressed with the preformance - but then I was shown the 2008 Sport version, OMG the new version of this SUV is amazing, the Power and look of the car is all new. Very impressed with the 0-100kph 6.4 seconds.