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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  Perfect Car - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Shari Marie - July 20 - 10:00 am

  I have an 03 Monte Carlo SS. This is the first sporty car Ive ever owned. I am truly impressed with its power, performance and of course its looks. Ive won every intersection race as the acceration is awesome. I am going to look at the 04 SS Supercharged models soon. Im sure the improved HP and torque has made this baby even better. Kudos to Chevy !!

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  2004 CORVETT - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By WHQUALLS - July 20 - 10:00 am

  GREAT CAR TO DRIVE---GOOD FUEL MILAGE

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  2000 Silverado Best Damn Truck ever Made - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By drofwood - July 20 - 10:00 am

  This is the best looking Truck on the road today. They messed up when they (chevrolet) changed the front grill to what it is today. (man what kind of drugs were they on?) It handles like a dream and looks like one to. I love mine and will not buy anything else!!!!!!!

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  Chevy the best running ever - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Parkster46 - July 20 - 10:00 am

  They chevy truck is dependable as well as a joy to have to take of road. If i had to have any truck i would only own a chevy. Chevys like a rock.

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  This Car Rocks! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By 6431 - July 20 - 8:56 am

  I find the car handles well, and picks up fast once you hit 3000 rpm. HP is actually a whopping 226! Outperforms a Corvette in the slalom and is kind of sexy in appearance. Watch out for potholes, because the car doesnt handle them well. I owned a 90 Z24 prior to the SS, and wow, what a step up! Keep up the good work GM! Look out imports and V8s!

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  short drive-traded it off! - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ford8n1 - July 20 - 2:00 am

  Traded a Ford Escort in for a new Cavalier. The seats were "horrible" with these deep designer groves that hurt your butt and back. Added seat cushion and thick seat covers-Malibu seats are good should have installed one of those. View to back terrible with back seat headrests and third light in middle of view. Cornered like a drunken sailor. Traded it for a different car with only 4800 miles on it. Defroster design in middle of windshield not very effective either as it distributed fan pattern in middle with no coverage till later for the driver to see through. To me a dated design ready to be replaced! My 1999 Escort handled better with better seats!

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  one of a kind - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By phil priola - July 20 - 2:00 am

  This is my 10th vette, I fine vette 2004 the best handling one of all ten. I knew the 2005 was going to be the newest hottest in the market. Its been my experience with chevolet covettes in the past, it takes GM two years to get it perfect. That why I bought a 2004.

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  Love this vehicle! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Dianek - July 19 - 1:40 pm

  I have been extremely pleased with my purchase of the Equinox. It drives like a luxury vehicle. It has plenty of leg room in the second seat and a 64" person can ride very comfortable in the back seat. It is great on gas mileage too. Very pleased and highly recommend.

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  My Silverado - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Steve Mulvihill - July 19 - 10:26 am

  Great all around vehicle. Used for hauling motorcycles. Commuting, trips. Average over 19MPG for all use. Lost transfer case at 60K.. Covered by warranty(defective). No other problems so far. Have 102K and I plan to take to 300K. On second set of tires. These will go easily past 120K mark. Change oil every 10K and run Mobil ONE after first 30K. Runs strong. Dealer replaced original radio because paint wore off the on button. Replace ment radio has a short. Too late to do anything about it. I would get an afetrmarket radio and not go back to the dealer for another repair. Still on first brakes with 50% wear remaining. Been a great all around vehicle.

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  Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Chevy Lover - July 19 - 2:00 am

  an absolutely great suv, i had a 92 ford explorer and this is a little bit better, love the 4wd though i havent gotten a chance to use it yet. i suggest this car to anyone that wants a smaller SUV then normal, it is great in the rain and is a safe car.