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:

• 

  awesome car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By wolfyskitty - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Awesome car. Easy to shift and fun to drive. Great to street race in too.

• 

  Supercharged a big PLUS - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Snocmpr - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Smooth ride except on bumpy roads due to suspension package, Supercharged version much better than either regular SS version. (Have owned both) Great seats & comfort and plush with all the toys. Only negative so far is the sound of the engine, very tinny like a Honda or Toyota. Need to get sound up to go with 240 HP.

• 

  a real mom-mobile - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Steve McFerron - May 9 - 2:00 am

  What a disappointment. Its like driving grannies Sunday to church wagon. Sounds like a diesel at idle. My 85 and 91 will run circles around it. I think most buyers rave about it because they are too embarrased to admit that the new Corvette is a mere shadow of its former self. We have been brainwashed by the tight squishy plastic Japanese cars. Give me the Corvette roar and rattles. Its like moving from a Harley to a Honda. Im depressed.

• 

  NOT AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD BE! - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By honeybun - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Numerous problems with transmission and fuel pumps.Not very reliable.

• 

  Nice but awefull interior - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By tjdayney - May 8 - 11:37 pm

  I bought this truck because I got a great deal with 0% apr. The thing I did not notice when new was how bad the interior seat fabric and dash material is. everything sticks to the fabric like velcro. it so almost impossible to get hair off and any dust just stick like crazy to the dash. it looks nice when it is clean but as soon as you sit in it it gets dirty. Drive train and mechanical functions are all good so far. the only problem I am having is the door handle is loose and the dealer could not fix it.

• 

  A great car - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Mattiez - May 8 - 10:56 pm

  i bought one and its a pretty good car. Gets great gas mileage and has plenty of torque for a 4cylinder. The radio is not that great, but its really easy to install one. Any of the parts Ive had to have replaced on it werent that expensive. Overall its a great car and if you come across one with low miles, get it. I bought mine and it only had 50,000 miles on it and now it has 80,000 and it has held together well.

• 

  LS AWD EQUINOX - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By k.r. - May 8 - 5:06 am

  This is my first SUV and Ive done extensive research prior to buying. I love this SUV. It handles like a car. I can see clearly in the front and the back. The front seat does amazing things, and with my children its perfect. Chevy definitely hit it right on target with this truck. The only thing I dont like is the gas mileage.

• 

  So Far So Good! My LTZ is a GREAT car! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Markj5362 - May 8 - 2:46 am

  I have now owned my 06 LTZ for 10 months and have driven it for 34,000 miles. This is a great car so far.I love the styling, ride, and features like XM and OnStar. Only had it in the shop once for an annoying rattle coming from the rear headliner. Found out it was the antenna bracket coming loose. Would like to see GM improve the climate control. Make it automatic like on the Regal/Lacrosse. This is my first Chevy for a while, so Im hoping it provides many trouble free miles. I have had Buicks in the past which have been very reliable cars.

• 

  $13500 Extended Cab, Best deal ever! - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By taohk - May 8 - 1:13 am

  I purchased the truck on Jan 5th, 09. Last day of the Red tag price. It has the heavy duty chrome grille with chrome mesh, chrome mirror caps, wheels, door and tailgate handles, carpet with all weather floor mat, cargo management system, window and bug deflector, plus deep tinted glasses and a color matched OEM hard Tonneau cover which made by fiberglass. All the chrome makes the truck looks really sharp. The manager accepted my $15000 offer, then I used $1500 GM cash to bring the price down to $13500. The MSRP was over $26000 included Tonneau cover. The truck is nice, but it would nicer if it has a V8. My co-workers didnt believe the price until they see the receipt. Overall, I am satisfied

• 

  Do Not Buy - 1996 Chevrolet Express
  By GetRidOf_Chev - May 7 - 3:32 pm

  We bought this van new with Conversion package. Put in 1st transmission at 51K, 2nd at 75K ( 96 has big time transmission problems ) Intake manifold gasket, new radiator and finally fuel pump. About $6000 in repairs since we owned it. Cant wait to get rid of it.