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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  Silver LS Sport - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Taternator - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I took delivery on 4-27-04 and I have taken the car on one fairly long trip and I really, really like it. I have not seen any other cars exactly like mine, which makes me even more happy that i didnt get a camry or accord (i see those everywhere). I compared the impala to a LOT of other cars. I narrowed it down to the impala, the 05 altima, and the Mazda 6s. The altima was too expensive, and my wife didnt like it at all. The 6 was a good car, but was kinda expensive for its size. When i started to consider that i would have the car for about 10 yrs. i chose the impala. Every time i see the other two on the road, i am happy i made that decision.

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  You have to love it - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Belgoboy - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my vehicle a week ago. Pros: Amazingly smooth and comfortable drive at about any speed. At highway speeds, the engine stays between 3- 4000rpm almost all the time. The radio has a feature I didnt realize called "autovolume" that increases the volume as you drive. The A/C definetly works very well. Im in Phoenix with 100 degree temperatures over the summer and it cools you down very fast. Cons: The car miscalculates accelerations at times when going at high speeds. This only occured from 80- 90mph which is not a speed people are or should be doing anyways. Overall I am very impressed, especially as the Nox is my first new car purchase.

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  2005 Exqunoix - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By fsmithsmitty - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVE my Equinox. The price was great and the SUV drives superb,looks and feels great too! I am constantly stop in a parking lot and at a stop lights with people ask question about what type of car is that! I tell them equinox and they look at me like I am crazy. I wanted this car so bad that the dealer call another dealer 150 miles and had it ship to their dealership. The car rides very smooth. I highly recommend the car. I haven t been this happy about a vehicle..I would have never thought I would purchase an american car. HORRAY to Chevrolet!

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  review - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By npotts14 - November 11 - 10:00 am

  chevy has always been the best to me! old and new.

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  MOST FUN YOU CAN HAVE ALONE - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By MATT BIVENS - November 10 - 8:18 am

  Of all the sports cars i have had the c5 vette is by far the best. comfortable ride and great looks . young and old knows that you are driving a vette. fun in the sun and all want to look at the vette

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  60,000 Miles later!!! - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Anthony - November 9 - 10:54 pm

  I have never had so much fun with a car. The SS is a blast to drive and its sad the 09 year was the last one. I just turned 60k miles already and had the rotors cut once, and a bad fuel evaporator canister needed to be changed. I still have the original tires on the car!I only wish the import buyers would have driven an SS before purchasing a car. The Imp has a ton of room and a huge trunk too! I have avged @ 20 mpgs between city and highway driving. Buy a used one today and it is the steal of the century since resale isnt to strong. If Chevy would have really promoted the car it would have survived. Find one and have some fun!!!

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  Great Truck - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Eddie - November 8 - 11:36 am

  Love the truck. Traded in my 04 EXT for the 4 door. I am a plain guy that doesnt need a fancy interior. It is a truck to a fashion statement. I get good fuel economy and it runs great. Comfortable ride. Buy American.

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  Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Matt - November 8 - 4:55 am

  I have had my Cobalt for 2 years now and I have yet to have a problem out of it. Ive put performance parts on it as well as a body kit and rims and I drive it like I stole it every time I drive. I have the 5-speed manual transmission and I change the oil every 2500 miles. The car is great I have never had any problems from anything to do with the engine or transmission. I had a problem with the radio but it was covered under warranty and fixed the next day. I would recommend the car to anyone. If your into performance and style its great there are tons of parts and they are easy to install. The 2.2L is a great engine and runs like a champ with plenty of power to go around.

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  Absolutely love this car - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jeffrey - November 7 - 11:54 pm

  Purchased an Atomic Orange Z-51 4LT with all the options. This car is absolutely fantastic. Sticks to the road like the tires are glued down. Gas mileage is unbelievable for a car with 436 hp. I use the cruise control a lot to improve the mileage, and often find myself getting in the low 30s, until I get up past 60 mph, when it drops down to 28 to 29 mpg. No other car with this much power, comfort, and performance can compare. I get compliments about my car everywhere, even while sitting at stop lights. Reliability has been absolutely superb (do you hear that Consumer Reports???).

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  Boaty- - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By NickoSweetConfidence - November 7 - 9:55 am

  I bought my Lumina from my boyfriends mom in November of 2008. It had 180,000 miles when I got it, now has 215,000. Im the second owner. I have had to fix some minor issues here and there but the car is amazing. Takes it like i give it. I have no disappointments in the way it drives or handles. Incredibly reliable. Gas mileage is pretty good, without sacrificing power, which is great with todays economy. I recommend this car to anyone looking for a roomy, comfortable, reliable vehicle.