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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  Happy Camper - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Smiling Rick - November 6 - 9:52 am

  Great car at an awesome price. I expected to have to buy something more along the lines of the Cavelier but was able to buy the Impala and it is a joy.

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  A BARGAIN WITH A LOT OF EXTRAS. - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mikey47 - November 6 - 8:07 am

  I OPTED TO WAIT AND BOUGHT MY "LS" IN 2005 WITH ALL THE REBATES. THIS CHEVY SCREAMS ON THE ROAD(GREAT ON THE ROAD) IT SCREAMS INSIDE(SUPERIOR STEREO SYSTEM) AND IT SCREAMS JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY (CORVETTE TAIL END WITH THAT SCOOP). AVERAGED 23-M.P.G. ON MY FIRST TANK, THE MINUTE I GET INSIDE OF MY LS, I CAN LOOK UP THROUGH THE SUNROOF AND THANK GOD I GOT THIS CHEVY, IT IS PHENOMENAL WITH ALL THE STANDARDS, DONT LIMIT YOURSELF, GET THE LS VERSION AND GET THE UPSCALED SUSPENSION AND EVERTHING WITH IT. POWER, PERFORMANCE, EASY TO DRIVE, GREAT TO RIDE AND CAN LAY DOWN IN MY BACK SEAT. LOT OF VALUE FOR THE MONEY AND IF CHEVY KEEPS THIS KIND OF MENTALLITY OF OFFERINGS, ILL BUY ANOTHER..

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  2nd row doors tough to open... - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Tracy Schaller - November 5 - 9:41 pm

  The wiper module has failed 2x. The 2nd seat doors have failed 9x. The 2nd row blower has failed once.The rear tailight has had two repairs. There have been 2 front end repairs in excess of $1K. More repairs that result in lost work time too many to remember. Not what you expect from a new car. Numerous recalls..Chevy extended the old Trailblazer & did a poor job. The undercarriage has a center cross beam that drags on the beach & offroad. YUCK! The only good news is the 3rd road seat comfort. Corporate has yet to accept the design failure on the doors. Avoid this 1st year model like the plague & check the reports on subsequent years.

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  glad i bought american - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By backtogm - November 5 - 8:35 pm

  i waited until i had 12000 miles before i wrote this review because i was so skeptcal of buying a gm car again. But, its been over 6 months and 12000 miles, and everything has been perfect. Quiet, comfortable, solid build quality, and not one problem. the gas mi. are super for this size car- i avg. 32-33 mpg. mstly all hwy. This car is the best new car ive ever owned, even compared to foreign makes. Good job chevy- if this car continues to be reliable- ill be back for another.

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  One really fun SS - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By PewterSS - November 5 - 2:48 pm

  This is one great affordable sportscar. Mine is the SS with the Tremec 6-speed, I wouldnt trade the 6-speed for a automatic, no way! The engine and the stick works really nice together. This is a such a fun and fast car to drive. Hitting 80 mph is so easy you really have to watch out.

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  Another Vehicle, please! - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By AneetraSherrell - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Unfortunately, I wanted to trade it in for an SUV. On the contrary, I was told that the trade in value offered would cause me to add $3000 to get out of the damn car! At first, I thought I was the only person who couldnt keep my light assy clean. Much to my surprise, when I notice other Impalas going down the road, the rest of the car looks clean but that lens is always filthy! I like it for the look since I am a single female, but getting out of it is more trouble than its worth. Do me a favor Chevy, since I have owned nothing but your model vehicles for 10 years now, give me a break on the trade-in!!!!

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  Yellow Competition - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By XxJoshJDbsnxX - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Competition Yellow package Monte and its great. Couldnt think of a better car. Only down side is the head room. But theres alot of room none to less

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  Suburban LT - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By wpayne - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Picked up last week of October. Break in milegage (under 60) was 21.5 mpg. Mileage drops off over 60. Comfort is great, as well as roominess.

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  Six Months and 12000 Miles Later - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By martinez2521 - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Six months and 12000 miles later, my suggestion, get one, its the best vehicle I have ever owned. After 12000 miles of driving and in some cases moving heavy loads this auto has exceded all expecations. 20mpg on highway 15 in town. My LT Autoride handels great in all conditions which includes snow, ice, rain, mountain roads and highway. Its ride quality is better than most cars, its faster off the line and performs as good or better than most of the cars on the road and at the same time can carry lots of people and equipment. This is just a wonderful SUV to drive.

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  Best Replacement Choice - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Investigator - November 4 - 7:33 pm

  I purchased this 2004 Impala as a replacement for a 1999 Crown Victoria. And I could not be more pleased at my choice. I had done careful research, Mich. State Police tests on the Impale and the Consumer Reports results. Both were positive and have proven to be accurate. I recomend the Impala. But be sure to get the proven 3.8II engine. This engine give strong acceleration and higher gas milage.