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 Year of the Corvette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Reyne - March 28 - 10:00 am

  Being a long time lover of all things Corvette, I was delighted to drive away with my 2005 model. The new look, 2 thumbs up! The options, bought them all! Love the glass hardtop! What more could you want in a sports car? 0- 60 in 4.1 seconds? Wanna race?

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  Danger - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bert Wagner - March 28 - 10:00 am

  For years the 6 speed transmission is the worst in "smoothness" hard and compares to the shift of a tractor ... if compared to other sports cars notable Porsche or Audi.Also the seats lumbar suport is none existing.

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  best car ever - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By sweetyqinflorida - March 28 - 10:00 am

  this is a great car. it is slick and drives great. i love to get in the car and drive away it is just a great car no complaints

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  2005 Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Chucky - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I have purchased 3 new cars in the last 10 yrs, and this by far exceeds any expectation that I had. The service that was given, the quality of the product, and the overall experience was exceptional. I have never owned a chevy product... They now have a customer for life

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  I like it - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Sam C - March 28 - 8:46 am

  I really like the fuel economy this truck delivers. Even when towing my trailer, it still does quite well. The 225 hp engine is a nice performer. I love the yellow paint and the sport interior.

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  The best truck for value - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By kha46043 - March 28 - 2:00 am

  I was in an accident with this truck and it saved my life. (I was rearended) There was alot of engineering genius in protecting vital areas of the truck. I was able to drive away. It is a tough truck that lives up to the slogan "built like a rock". When I have to get a new vehicle in the way distant future I will get another truck from GM!

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  Average car - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By johnjohnjohn - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Make sure you obtain an extended warranty. After 3 years, this car starts to have problems.

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  have you had this problem - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By mississippi - March 28 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle would be great except that the abs system went out, right at 37k, out of warranty. I know 6 other people this happend too, I think they should recall it. It cost 1000.00 to repair. I wouldnt think anything but bad luck on my part if it wast for the fact that this problem has happend to 6 other people.

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  Excellent All Around Vehical - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By BlazerDriver - March 28 - 2:00 am

  This vehical has never let me down. I have taken my Blazer on several hunting trips and have never been let down by its performance. The V-6 has plenty of power for medium duty 4-wheeling and if it gets to rought the skid plate package does a great job protect the underside. I have never been happier with a vehical.

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  Love our Tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Brimar - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Love the way it drives. Very smooth, not like a truck. Comfortable because of the wide seats. Very stylish!! We feel very safe driving it with the family. Im 52" tall and I like the idea of being able to see everything in sight.