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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  1999 Chevrolet Suburban - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Sarah - July 16 - 9:37 pm

  Needing a larger vehicle to accomodate my large family I went from a minivan to the 99 Suburban. It has proved reliable and easy to maintain. However, the downside is the rising gas prices, but it isnt that bad considering I knew entering the vehicle it was going to be more pricey to operate. I like all of the room for the kids. Where the minivan was just too small, now everyone is comfortable and there is enough space in the back for groceries etc. I have had no major problems other than normal wear and tear type expenses and I strongly recommend this vehicle.

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  Excellant - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Avalanche - July 16 - 1:53 pm

  This has been the best vehicle that I have ever owned. It is very comfortable and quiet to drive.

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  Tims big Red Tahoe - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Tim - July 16 - 1:43 pm

  This my first Chevy SUV, which is all Ive have been talking about getting for 5 years. I love my Tahoe. Its big enough for our family, plus keeping all my work gear in the back. Our son cant wait to turn on the DVD player. I, on the other hand, cant wait to use the GPS system on our first road trip to somewhere that we have never been before. My wife loves its roomieness plus the fact our son can watch his DVDs and we can still listen to the XM radio. I will buy another Tahoe down the road.

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  2005 Equinox LT AWD - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Carl Cleveland - July 16 - 1:26 pm

  I had a 2004 Chevy Impala LS and I loved it. The only thing is I had three back surgeries and am now disabled and needed something easier to get in and out of. The Equinox was the vehicle for me. Excellent ride and comfort. Love the heated seat option, like a heating pad for my back. The Equinox is a excellent SUV.

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  My Avalanche - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By LMWilson - July 16 - 12:49 pm

  It has great comfort for travel, and tows like a dream. For a big vehicle, the fuel economy is bettery than expected. Ive owned several trucks and this is the best ever.

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  Nice car with a few quirks - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Johnny - July 16 - 12:36 pm

  Love remote start. Engine performance fine (acceleration at all speeds). Mileage decent (wish it were a little better). Handles pretty good. Stay away from the cloth interior. Dash makes some kind of noise (rubbing of some sorts). Seems to happen on bumpy roads. Trunk space nice

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  Best family vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Cel - July 16 - 11:04 am

  I had previously owned a Venture which is VERY plain and boring . When Uplander came out I researched a lot about it until I test drive it and fell in love with it! Love the feel and how it drives very smooth. My whole family loves it, especially the comfy captain seats that are HEAVEN SENT! I love the styling of the interior and exterior as well, feels very much SUV style and room size like a van. How perfect! Met our needs. My husband would joke and said it feel like we are driving a Lexus. Uplander is like a Lexus to us!

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  Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Trinton - July 16 - 10:16 am

  I have really enjoyed the Impala. The seats are great and it is a lot of fun to drive. It sticks to the road well in the turns and has a responsive engine and transmission. I think the up coming sports package will help the exterior look a more stylish. Great sedan.

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  Chevy Venture 2005 LT - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By Michelle Dodge - July 16 - 3:28 am

  Going from driving a smaller 4-door sedan for 6 years, and trying to fit my 3 children in that one back seat, to driving in my Venture is like rediscovering the joy of driving! I have to admit, driving a van is very different than driving a smaller car. The van itself rides very smoothly, very comfortable and the model we have has many of the options, which add to the overall comfort. I did find that it feels a bit top heavy when turning, and needs considerably more stopping time. Not being an expert, I assume this is just the weight and size factor. The sound quality in the stereo could use improvement, I think that more speakers throughout are needed in something as long as a minivan.

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  great car for the money - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By walkan666 - July 15 - 11:50 pm

  didnt have lots of cash and needed a car real quick the gas milage is not what they say it is but it never is. other wise its fun it handles great and with my bad back its easy to get in and out of I am 5 ft 11 in and weight 250lbs and its still very comfortable with pleanty of head room more than the impala I was really surprised if you dont have lots of cash and need a reliabe car to zip around in this is it