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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  BUY A MALIBU..GREAT CAR - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By BUCKEYE - October 23 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Malibu and I was a little nervous but I must admit I was wrong. This is a great car and drives like a cloud.

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  Everyting I Needed - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By dwit - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I needed a larger four-door car. I wanted performance and creature comfort. I got both with this car. A loaded LS has about as much as anyone could want. The moonroof is great and the heated seats and steering wheel mounted audio controls are very luxurious. It handles reasonably well but not like a small car. Quite quiet inside with windows up. The controls are well placed and the trunk is huge. The 3.8L engine delivers enough power to really go but gets great mileage (I average about 23 MPG around town, 29 highway).

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  Mid-size blues.... - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By JD in Colorado - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Overall, a good truck if small/mid- size meets your needs. I downsized from a Siverado--after the honeymoon of a new truck wore off, I wished that I kept the Silverado. For me, the 3.5L is underpowered. Its great around town--not pulling a trailer or without a load. Otherwise, youve got the keep the RPMs pegged to retain any sense of power. A lot of plastic on this truck--it looks great on the showroom floor but quickly dulls. The truck drives good--especially off- road. However, the 4WD/Z71 suspension is a little rough and dicey at times in the urban jungle--probably due to high center of gravity and short wheel base. Great sport truck--poor work truck.

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  My Colorado - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Dv2852 - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Drives well. Nimble for its weight. Interior is quiet.

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  the greatest - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By black_corvette - October 23 - 2:00 am

  A fun car to own and drive.......the best decision Ive made since being married.

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  perfect sedan - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By angel 52 - October 23 - 2:00 am

  very happy with this car. very realible

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  MY TAHOE - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By george drape - October 23 - 2:00 am

  ON LONG DRIVES THE SEATS SUCK

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  Tahoe is the greatest - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By TabberZ3 - October 23 - 2:00 am

  We have owned 8 Tahoes and they have been awesome in quality and function.

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  Fabulous Crossover - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By tunxton - October 23 - 1:26 am

  I downsized from my Tahoe. I can confidently say this vehicle is the best I have ever owned. I do a lot of traveling for my company and the room in this vehicle accomodates for my stuff very easily. It is also extremely comfortable on those long road trips. I would definently reccomend this to anyone in the crossover market.

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  2008 Chevy Impala - Awesome - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ron Bonofiglio - October 22 - 9:33 pm

  I have about 300 miles on my 2008 Chevy Impala 1LT. It has the 3.5 L Flex-fuel engine. I especially like the fuel economy, OnStar, XM satellite radio, ride quality, safety ratings, stylish appearance, huge trunk, seating for six, fun to drive, ride quality and zero defects. GM also gave me 0% APR for 72 months. What a deal on an awesome American car even though it is assembled in Canada.