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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  Not my 71 Malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By cmeastern - November 7 - 10:00 am

  While this is not the hi-performance, head-turning, muscle of our dark blue 2004 Maxx has drawn looks, even from a group of teen boys who said it was "a cool car." The technology is quite a step up from the 1991 Grand Am it replaces, or our 1994 S-10 Blazer, so it has taken some getting use to, and a lot of checks of the owners manual to figure out everything in it. It handles almost as good as our 1987 Z28 and has very good acceleration for a V6 of only 3.5 liters (big step up from the Blazers 4.3-liter V6.) Got about 33 mpg on our first 900-mile trip at mostly 65 mph four-lane travel. Very quiet, low road noise. A fog light optio

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  my truck is the best - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By preskoolma - November 7 - 10:00 am

  second and third row seats fold down in a snap. so easy my three year old does it all on his own. extremely comfortable. would trade it for anything. my husband can trade his truck in for another four door truck.

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  Real SUV without the rock hard ride - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By bkd - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Excellent power and fantastic ride. It has a much better ride than the other SUV I tried, including the luxury models. Available options are great (XM, On-Star, DVD). I would also recommend the leather.

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  My Auto Show Favorite - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By TAW4 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Very comfortable ride. Roomy passanger area.

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  HHR - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Joe - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Got the car a few days ago, and am enjoying the ride so far. Ratings are relative to the price and segment. For the price, we couldht have gotten a better car. My wife and I didnt want to get another HoHum sedan (at least not until we are pushing 60), and we also wanted a car that seated 4 comfortably, with a smooth ride. HHR fit the bill. Car handles better than what I read about it. Not perfect, but handles well. I am very happy with this purchase.

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  ford sucks - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By sk8er353321 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  The Z71 is not only rliable it has power, fun, and everything you want in a good chevorlet pickup

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  Outstanding Ride by Abolds - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By abolds4397 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I am so pleased with my Chevy Silverado! The extended cab has so much room to operate. I also love the XM radio and ONSTAR. After taking it for a long ride on the highway, I learned how comfortable it really is. It maneuvers like a car. The bed is more than adequate to load up and transport items. The 5.3L engine is very powerful and and very little noise and the transmission shifts very smoothly.

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  Good all around Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Anthony - November 7 - 9:30 am

  If you dont want a full size truck, this is a nice little truck. I love the way this truck looks, especially the front end. The interior could use a little improvement. Seats are comfy, but just not too much going on inside,(too much plastic). No complaints about the 2.8L engine. Its nice and smooth, and has plenty of power to get around. Exhuast note is little funny though. 5 speed is very smooth. A lot more room than my previously owned Ranger. Overall a good little truck for a good price.

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  I LOVE MY ASTRO VANS!!!!! - 2005 Chevrolet Astro
  By Betsey - November 7 - 12:45 am

  I have TWO Astro Mini-vans, and I love them!!! My first is an 89, has 140,000 miles on it, and is still on the road. My new one has the AWD and extended features which are absolutely GREAT!

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  Burbans are Real SUVs - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By tom sexton - November 6 - 2:04 pm

  Our present burban is our second new one in three yrs.1st a 01 3/4T 496" to replace a 3/4T 88 chv 12pas van. It could haul anything you can hook to it, and ride better than most cars if you need a truck in car clothes, the 3/4s are the one for you including when you want a fancy date nite rig for full size adults who value easy entry/exit and ALL SEAT comfort. Our newest is the 1/2T w/5.3 V8. We didnt need the 3/4 model now, and the 1/2T rides the same with all the space and room which we use often. The 5.3 V8 has all the steam most people will ever need and then some, with a surprising power curve, and yet will get 17.5-19 mpg hiway once its well broken in using syn mtr oil. A GREAT CAR