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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  The king of the hill - 1990 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ZR Juan - December 26 - 2:23 am

  Engine was designed by Lotus, built by Mercury marine, and is a Chevrolet. Parts and a certified mechanics can be a difficult find. Engine is very reliable and always runs strong. There are examples out there with over 200,000 miles and still run great!

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  Law and Order/Rivals No Match - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By PaoloRossi82MVP - December 26 - 1:35 am

  I purchased the 2005 Impala for two reasons: First its Reliability/Outstanding Crash Test (its line has been around at least once every decade since the 1950s). The 3.8 Liter engine is more reliable than the 3.4 Liter engine. Second is the Available Standard Features (More on that later). The Impala drives more like a Luxury Sports Sedan not as a Mid-Size Sedan. I needed a reliable car to take me to and from work, and with the Impala I am actually enjoying it very much. I test driven Accords, Camry, Taurus, Sable, and Maxima (prior to 04 Model Year)in the past, it doesnt have the safety record and safety features that are Standard as it is in the Impala.

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  Excellent vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By MarkInKeizer - December 26 - 12:32 am

  Other reviews say it all about the improved fit and finish and the great design. Its a huge improvement over previous Suburbans and previous GM vehicles Ive owned. Ive driven a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville (about the same weight) and a 1999 Suburban. The Bonneville ranged from 9 to 12 mpg and the 99 Suburban got 11 to 13 and to get the higher mileage I had to drive in a style that had the little old man in a hat behind me irate! The 2007 gets 13.5 mpg accelerating faster than most people away from lights. This isnt 1 fuel economy like others have rated it. Comparing it to a Prius or Metro is NUTS! Come on lets compare apples to apples. I get 17 - 20 on the freeway. It needs the 2010 6 speed.

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  I love this beauty - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By vickie young - December 24 - 11:44 am

  I had been looking for over 3 months for a silver ice...finally found it! This car is a beauty - as great to look at as it is to drive. Brings back memories of my cruising days. My husband bought me this car for my 57th birthday present - best birday ever! My car came with the rally pack-black stripes and black wheels. Did not like the black wheels so had chrome wheels put on - this care is fantastic!

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  BIG BLOCK DUALLY - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By Craig C. - December 24 - 10:00 am

  This has been a great truck. It has plenty of power with the 8.1 motor and the Allision transmission. I am thinking of tradeing it in only to replace it with the same truck but with the Duramax diesel. I wish that the gas motor would do a little better on MPG. I can get around 12 MPG on the high way not towing. If I pull my 10,000 lb. trailer the best it can do is 8.5 MPG. I have talked to owners of the duramax and they can get 20 MPG!!! I like my big block and it has plenty of power but, gas is over $2.00 a gallon now so what can I do? I did not want to spend the extra $6000 for the diesel when I bought my truck.

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  Its Fantastic - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By FishyPig - December 24 - 10:00 am

  At this point with less than 1000 miles on it, I feel it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. Everyone loves the color-blue,and all the features on the vehicle. The ride is smooth, the pick- up is fast and powerful, the style is enticing. This vehicle is everything it says it is. I feel this is the best overall vehicle I have ever owned.

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  Excellent Value - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jim - December 23 - 8:00 pm

  Best value in the industry. I looked at all the full size extended cab models out there, and the Chevrolet Silverado was the best buy for the price. I have owned several GM products and all of them were extremely reliable over the long haul. By that I mean they were still reliable with over 100,000 miles. The imports I have had were not.

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  Aaawwwwsome! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Ginger G - December 23 - 12:17 pm

  I have only had this car for a week and I luuuuuuv it! Turns heads and runs good. The V6 engine is a monster and feels more like a V8 with much better gas mileage. So quiet on the inside. Smooth down the highway.

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  Love it! - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jeremiah Beamer - December 23 - 5:56 am

  I love my new car.

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  Nice car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jech - December 22 - 11:16 pm

  Bought this in May. Waited till it had 9000 before I made comment on it. Have 4 cyl and get 34 to 36 mpg on the hwy. 22 to 24 city. Great ride on both hwy and city. Handles great. Very quiet interior. Lot of standard options for the price. No real problems so far. Dont like the upgraded radio, only real complaint at higher speed radio turns up to high automatically cant hear passengers talking . Have Saab 9.5 for other car. will most likely buy another malibu instead of Saab. Same frame as 9.3 half the price, seven eights same ride.