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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  Why No Home Link - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Spa Man - May 15 - 3:06 am

  Top of the line should have Home Link Included. Home Link is not even a option. Did not know until going down highway after buying. Love the Power Tailgate, Great Interior Need to hold button for memory seat

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  Cavalier wagon a trooper - 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By juniorgriff - May 15 - 2:42 am

  I have owned 17 cars since i have got my licence in 88 and all of them do not compare to this super trooper. I dont think they put too many 6 cylinders. in the wagons, but it is a great engine. Check this... 325,000 kms. AMAZING!! Forget Camrys and Accords. This car will not stop! I am not regular with the oil changes and tune- ups, and I drove it twice to Vancouver from Calgary, and once to Toronto and back! Sure, the paint is faded and there is a little rust around the wheel wells, but I am proud to tell people this old dog is still kicking. The only major thing I have done is brakes, tires and right side ball joint. If this car makes it to 375,000 I am going to write a letter to GM. Great job boys!

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  Nice little car for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Darrell Hovermale - May 14 - 9:00 pm

  We bought the car,an LS sedan, in March 2004 for $12K. GM had $4k in factory rebates, and the dealer discounted as well. We purchased for primarily as a commuter car, but like it so well, we have taken it on trips and vacation. So far very reliable. Love the strong Ecotec engine, and smooth shifting automatic. If the car continues to do well, Im back in the GM family. Only complaints are minor: like the lousy design of the cup holders blocking HVAC controls. Seats could be more supportive. Other than that. Very satisfied with the car.

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  2005 SSR - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By Dennis - May 14 - 4:30 pm

  Went looking at the Vette, came home with the SSR. I trailer waverunners, and run back and forth to our boat. Perfect sport (not just cars) enthusiast car.

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  2005 Uplander AWD after 1000 miles - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Eric - May 14 - 2:04 pm

  I love my new Uplander! It is more powerful than my Grand Voyager. The seats are very comfortable and my kids love the convenience of all the storage. I like the information center displays. The black and white display took some getting used to. The DVD is great for trips. All the seating allows us to take our kids and other team members to practice. The folding seats are easy to use. The vehicle is quieter than expected. The vehicle is loaded with features.

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  I Like it - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Charles Ireland - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love at first drive - couldnt wait for mine to be delivered. We have over 10000 miles and have enjoyed every one of them. Having owned and deiven several vans and pickups, I can say that this is the most enjoyable vehicle weve owned.

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  Surburbans are great, but.... - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Rose Aleta - May 14 - 2:00 am

  We have had Suburbans for years and love them... However, the last two GMC vehicles have not had a locking golve box or center console. Makes it difficult when you must valet park... I contacted Gmc/Chevy regarding this change and they would not comment on why they made the change in options. But it is reason enough for us to change vehicles not time we purchase.

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  BEST TRUCK EVER-BAR NONE - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By HHHANSEN - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Strong truck,hauls my wood, cattle, and my grand children with equal ease !! I love the truck .I have had no major problems, and i use the truck as a truck,no sissy suv. here.

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  Poor brakes - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By polish cowboy - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I`ve had the car in three times to have the front brake rotors turned.I have had brake performance problems very early. The dealer asked me if my driving habits had changed and I said no and that I got eighty eight thousand miles on my front brakes on my last lumina.

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  Bad Drivetrain with No Factory Support - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By badtruck - May 14 - 2:00 am

  After 6000 miles the drivetrain started clunking loudly any time I drive backwards (in reverse). The clunk does not occur when I shift to reverse but clunks when I accelarate faster than normal. The clunk also occurs frequently when I accelarate hard and then let off the throttle. It sometimes occurs on 1st to 2nd upshifts or downshifts. I can feel the clunk in the floor and passengers ask me about it. This problem takes all of the joy out of owning this new truck. The dealer did the transmission reprogramming which did not correct the problem and they told me that I have to live with the problem. Many other owners are having the same problem.