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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  Versatile, exciting car - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By John - February 13 - 4:45 am

  PROS: fun to drive, good gas mileage, fairly quiet, comfortable, fun to drive, TONS of options CONS: poor rear visibility, steep learning curve for infotainment system

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  Plesantly Suprised - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JPWhite - February 13 - 1:40 am

  I traded a 5 speed Escort for a used 4 cylinder Mailubu LS. Used to a sluggish car, I was expecting more of the same, but need good mileage given the number of miles I drive and the increasing price of gas. I was also unsure if Id like the extra noise at cruise from a 4 speed auto compared to a 5-speed manual. I must say I have been impressed all round, this is NOT just another hum drum commuter car. I have rejected Malibus in the past because of engine noise. The 2004 is much better. The car handles very well indeed. The biggest suprise? Very, very quiet at 70Mph, only 2600 revs or so with power to spare. Changes gears intelligently and smoothly. I am more than pleased - great car.

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  Love the versitility - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By KevinIN ct - February 12 - 10:54 pm

  I spend my weekends doing home improvments and handy work for friends and family. Ive had trailers and SUVs and always had issues. The Avalanche is the best of both worlds. It rides like a dream and It has all the elbow room I need. Its my first one and will buy another one when Im due.

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  Love It Love It Love It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Beverly Olinger - February 12 - 8:50 pm

  Just picked up our new Equinox LTZ Sat Drives wonderful, smooth ride, great sound system, onstar is fun and the nav system is really cool! You wont be disappointed.The interior is pretty sweet. Big difference over the 2009. Worth the wait!!!!

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  Auto Pilot - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By DaveH923 - February 12 - 5:06 pm

  This car has tried to kill my wife and I on several occassions. The cruise control kicks on when it wants. The car shuts off if it doesnt feel like running anymore and service doesnt see a problem with it. The alarm will unlock the car for no reason. The carpeting on the doors peeled off at 6000 miles! The gas gauge quit working twice. The dash lights come on when the car wants them to, not when you turn on the headlights. The car rattles worse than a city bus in the cold. Personally, I am fed up with American cars! This is the last American car I buy! You turned me off. My father warned me about GM. He was right. Never again!

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  I like it - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By sysletem - February 12 - 2:33 pm

  This is my first Impala. I drive over 45,000 miles per year . I wanted better gas mileage over my previous vehicle. I dont quite know if this is the vehicle either . But Im really impressed with everything else , the ride, power, interior . I have the black SS with completly tinted windows WOW. At 3500 miles I believe I can honestly say I get 24mpg on the highway and 18 in town . At this point Im glad I made this purchase.

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  Love my Z71 - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Bucky Buchanan - February 12 - 1:35 pm

  Love this truck. Used to drive an Excursion, but now have the Tahoe Z71. Much better performance, while not as big, inside seems as spacey. Better gas mileage also.

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  Red Hot - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Andy - February 12 - 12:07 pm

  I was looking for a versatile truck that I could use for hauling as well as room for my family of three. After spending a considerable time looking and driving all options available I settled on the Avalanche and I am glad I did. It is the best purchase of the 20+ vehicles I have owned. I bought a model without body armor because of the improved looks from past models. My only suggestion to Chevrolet is that they improve the interior on the LT models by using less plastic. I have 5000 miles on the vehicle now and have experienced no quality or warranty problemns and getting a consistent 18 MPG. I would definitely recomment this vehicle to anyone.

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  Loving It! - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Ruby Dillon - February 12 - 12:07 pm

  I just traded in my Mercury Mountaineer for the Tahoe and always loved the Mountaineer until I drove the Tahoe. Its so roomy and comfortable, drives like a luxury car. It has wonderful visibility and so many extra features that makes it such a great vehicle to be in.

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  It is worth buying - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By dale - February 12 - 10:43 am

  This is my 3rd Suburban. My 1st suburban was back in 1996. They are great for long trips and someone who sits behind the wheel for long periods of time. Oh yes, I will buy another one in 2007 if I like the style.