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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  2004 Vette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By BernieR2004 - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Nickel and dime electrical issues. Gas mileage better than expecterd >25mpg handling and performance excellent no cup holders!! seats quite comfy on long trip...and I take many this is 15tth Vette since 1957 and definitely the best

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  Unsatisfied Customer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By sherrie - July 26 - 2:00 am

  The relationship with my 2003 Trailblazer is one of love/hate. Fun to drive, when it works. Lots of cargo space and roomy for 7 people. Drivers seat is like a cockpit with tons of buttons and controls. BUT... the engine and electronics has been unreliable. The 4x4 switch has failed 4 times in 15 months, requiring in- shop servicing for more than 15 days. While on vacation, the windshield wipers failed during a major rain storm (stuck in on position) and we had to pay for a rental car. Tail pipe is already rusting and we have a squeek (that cant be found) in the front end. Although I love to drive the car... it will have to go!

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  Pride,Comfort & Economy - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Craig Whitlock - July 26 - 12:50 am

  We purchased a new Cobalt after looking around at so many so called economy cars. After test driving the Cobalt My wife and I were sold! The Colbalt looks fantastic with a pleasing stylish exterior and an interior unique with people friendly styling and comfort! We are very proud of our new Chevy Cobalt! It drives and handles like a dream super quiet road smooth ride with an upper class ride without forsaking economy! Please drive a Cobalt before making any decisions on any import before you buy!

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  2004 Intimidator - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Intimidator04 - July 25 - 2:53 pm

  I have a 2004 Monte Carlo Supercharged SS Intimidator Edition. It is car 2,909 of 4,000. It is a great car and has every available option. Its original price when new was over $33,000. Very nice, comfortable car, and it is sure to be a collector car in years to come. It has plenty of power, but the fuel economy could be better.

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  Nothing Special but a Great Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By scodyt - July 25 - 12:00 pm

  I have only had the truck for two months, and I am finding the more I drive it the more I like it. It is not an impressive vehicle, but is a great daily driver and gets good fuel mileage for a 4x4. I drive about 500 miles a week and am getting better mileage than I ever got in a 2 wheel- drive Blazer 4.3L without losing too much torque.

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  Toyota Sucks - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Kevin USA Rules - July 25 - 2:00 am

  The Impala has lots of room. Its also easy to drive a little sensitive maybe but that comes in handy in emergencys. I recently had some idiot him me while I was driving my Impala and it was a very hard hit. The fender was compleatly damaged but nothing not even a speck of dirt hit and internial parts. Thats a well built American car. If I was driving a crappy Toyota I caould have been killed.

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  really is a okay car - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By natalie8 - July 25 - 2:00 am

  i have to say i think it is a okay car. i havent had any problems out of it yet!. i think it depends on how you keep a car up. the only thing i dont like is it needs more room and i wish mine had another cup holder in the front.

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  Good Bye-Old Friend - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By coastalp - July 25 - 2:00 am

  This week, I must get rid of my baby. Ive put 175K miles on her. I lived thru her recall for the front spoiler and many repairs that were covered b/c I was smart enough to have bought the extended warranty. But, Ill NEVER buy another GM car b/c I had to spend so much time arguing about coverage. The girls loved my baby. She still gets a "Hey man, nice car" even after 8+ yrs. Ill miss her. She was a blast to drive. She needs a new rear end, brakes, windows motors, interior stitching and other cosmetics that I cant justify the investment. Im gonna miss her.

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  owner - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By norm lambertus - July 25 - 2:00 am

  i think its a great runningand rideing vehicle.the interior s leather and a pleasure to ride in.the on star helps you to find where your goin. its roomy onthe back seat. good stereo system.

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  Big Red - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By David Kw - July 25 - 2:00 am

  Well this is the best truck i ever owned that could change into any size i need.Rides like a car very quite and very easy to use.