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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  Better than expected - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By airtexaco - December 21 - 10:00 am

  We have a Suburban (04) and from driving them, decided to get one-my wife wanted the Tahoe and opted for the Suburban

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  I BELIEVE I HAVE MY FIRST LEMON - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By SKIPPY - December 21 - 10:00 am

  MY TRAILBLAZER LOOKS GREAT, RUNS GREAT, AND RIDES GREAT. LOVE THE VEHICLE AND WOULD BUY A SECOND, HOWEVER I HAVE A WATER LEAK IN THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR AREA. A DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS FIXED. ??? MY THIRD APPOINTMENT IS MY LAST BEFORE I FILE FOR LEMON LAW. STILL DIE HARD CHEVY.

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  05 Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By sfc joe - December 21 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 05 Equinox LT in may 04. I was initially going to buy a Kia Sorento but went with the Equinox after getting a great deal. The model I bought came with 6 cd- indash, 7 speakers w/amp, onstar, and everything else I wanted. It rides great, with the exception of over speed bumps, handles great too. the rear seats are roomy enough for 3 boys (including one thats 62"/220 lbs), there is plenty of leg room. The ride is very quiet and sturdy. no major complaints.

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  2003 chevy ailverado quality review - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By George Miller - December 21 - 10:00 am

  The truck is excellent!!...I just wish the manufacturer would have leather and on star as options for the LS model. The 5.3 V8 gets 14.9 City to 16.4 Highway. With gas as expensive as it now is, I would like to see better gas mileage. Handling and performance is great!...Ride i s a little too rough! Needs improvement. I removed the overload springs and added air bags. Still didnt help the ride!

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  Excellent family car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By kristine - December 21 - 3:07 am

  I believe that this car is the best model out there. We have an infant and this car has everything we could want out of a family car. Security, room, and style. We would give this car an overall rating of 10 out of 10.

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  Expensive Junk - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mary Ellen - December 20 - 11:54 pm

  This SUV is overpriced, and, in my opinion, is one of the most uncomfortable vehicles I have ever been in as a passenger. The seatbelts are crap, and it takes about five minutes to get them to work properly. It is fair (in terms of comfort) when you are the driver. The interior is junk. And, it is worth about half the price I paid for it, and I got the GM discount.

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  My Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ronnie Childress - December 20 - 10:55 pm

  Love IT! I had always wanted one and after looking at and driving the Impala, I knew it was the car for me. I dont know of anything about this car I dont like. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a new car.

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  customer - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Cin - December 20 - 8:19 pm

  save gas, fast speed. nice color to convience me to buy it. Like to use keyless remote. Like to have back seat to flip down, some room for my skis.

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  Needs a V-8 - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By dz28 - December 20 - 8:13 pm

  Glad to see the Impala back. Very nice driving, handling, responsive car. Fun to tour around in. Looks nice.

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  Overall Beauty - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By beardown3 - December 20 - 5:37 pm

  Had this car for 4 years and I love looking at it still. Its gorgeous, though it has had a few problems. Gas gauge, steering column lock, noisy tires. But overall its a pleasure, especially after upgrading the intake and exhaust.