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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  Reliability and Style - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By sheacon - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I love the style of my Malibu. My sister was surprised when I told her it was a Malibu - she thought it was a Jag! I feel young-at-heart driving with the sunroof open and the CD playing. My Malibu has been very dependable Ive only had to change the oil on a regular basis, rotate the tires, etc. No problems otherwise!

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  Dream Boat - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By pbeckmann - September 22 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is a great car. Lots of fun & a eye catcher.

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  Best Truck/SUV on the road - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By ROBINDA - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I have driven pick-ups scince 1981.My 2004 Avalanche is by far the best I have ever purchased. I use it in my work,and it fits the role perfectly.

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  My Chevy Astro AWD ROCKS!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By buRN - September 21 - 2:00 am

  I got myself a 2003 Chevrolet Astro AWD LS and it has enabled me to do things Ive always dreamed of,I found myself traveling with my loved ones safely and comfortably in this Vehicle, so I may be a bit biased, but I still enjoy washing the damn thing and looking at it as well. P.S. they are also great for dates!!!

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  TB is Kickin - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By lincis2 - September 20 - 2:50 pm

  This is my first SUV. After 6 months of shopping I chose hands down the TrailBlazer. The perfomance is their with the 270hp I6. Nothing else I test drove with a 6cyl could match the power. The handaling is great. I drove through a pretty heavy rainfall the other day and it drove great, better than any other car or truck I have owned

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  Built for Me! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Diane Bunker - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I havent driven a Malibu since high school (30 some years ago!). I saw the Malibu Maxx at a school function on Thursday, took my husband to the Chevrolet dealer on Sat. and drove home with the Maxx on Sat. evening. I love it, my boys (18 and 21) love it, and I especially love the design and the way the seats fold down for hauling anything from HOme Depot. I told the salesman, the car was made for me!

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  Great trailer puller - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By MilCop - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I have moved 2 times already and have hooked up to a 16 flatbed car transport hauler and moved multiple loads of furniture. even though this load squatted the rear axle letting you know the trailer was on the back once I placed it in 3rd gear it pulled this load quite well considering the load being pulled and still I got a very respectable fuel economy of 14mpg. I have got as hiogh on one trip of 31mpg hwy but always turn in numbers of 25 to 26mpg. the worst was pulling the trailer with a load of 7000lbs on the trailer of 14mpg. Im sold this is a great truck.

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  Best ever - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Eagelhurdlestar - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive had Hondas, Jeeps, and truck and the Avalanche has been the best vehicle Ive owned. You have to get the Z-71 package to appreciate it.

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  I love my Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Happychevyowner - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned a BMW 5 Series, (chronic electrical problems and the worst car I ever owned), 2 Mercedes, both very good cars and 15 Town Cars, 2 Cadillacs 2 Pontiacs and 3 Suburbans. My Impala LS is a fun car to drive, economical and reliable. I will definitely purchase another one. GM certainly makes a much better product than they did in the 70s and 80s.

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  miksu - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By miksu - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I have always been a Honda/Hyundai person for 20 yrs. I was looking for a Santa Fe but didnt like the look of the inside. I always enjoyed my friends Blazer so I thought I look at one. I was looking at the Blazer and saw the Equinox on the lot and loved the look of it. The Equinox has the that European look I like and I loved the ride. I took it home that day. I had to explain to my husband why I went to town to by canning jars and came home with a car we have never heard of. It was worth it though. I love driving it.