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:

• 

  Well done - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bob - December 25 - 3:33 pm

  Ive driven my LTZ for a month now. I have great praise for it. Didnt have any of the quality problems mentioned in one of the reviews. Tightly made. Drives well. Great styling. Lots of compliments from the office staff in our lunch excursions. Even got praise from the office Ford fan. Im getting an overall 24 mpg city and highway mileage.

• 

  Not a good ride - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ralph Cooper - December 25 - 11:53 am

  Very bouncy rear end, not a pleasant ride even on smooth roads. GM says it is charteristic of this model, nothing they can do. Even with a load in the bed (1000+ lbs.) it still rides stiff. Had a 2004 model that was great, service mgr said they changed the design (both 4x4). I made the mistake of not driving the truck before purchase - assumed it would be the same as my 04. I would not have purchased this truck had I known. Looking for help from GM for 3 months but, to no avail. I switched to Michelin tires, some help but, still wears me out to drive long distances.

• 

  Z66 Avalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By wolfiez66 - December 25 - 10:00 am

  I am very pleased with the Avalanche. Fun to drive and very durable. It has many multiple personalities, looks rugged and luxurious at the same time. Plenty of room for any purpose thrown at it. Five adults can ride comfortably. Good handling and brakes. Acceleration pretty good for a 3 ton beast, sometimes a little weak on the highway on-ramps( need to punch it). Transmission solid, sometimes excessive shifting on hills. Body is beautiful. Fuel economy-nothing to complain about, very good for the size of the truck.

• 

  thawesome car - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By o geez - December 25 - 10:00 am

  this truck s greatr than any ford or dodge

• 

  Love this car! - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By bugsea - December 25 - 10:00 am

  I love everything about this car. It drives beautifully,very smooth ride and tight turning radius. Everyone that sees the inside says ohh and ahh. Originally thought about the Seqouia and although the exterior of that car is great, the interior looks positively cheap. Not something you expect from Toyota. The Suburban is luxory and practicality. The only thing that would change my mind is to see how long it will last. So far, 7,000 miles and two oil changes. I would like to keep it at least 6 years.

• 

  1ST CHEVY PURCHASE SINCE 1978 - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By JOE E - December 25 - 10:00 am

  Since 1983I have purchased imports primarily and been VERY happy w/them. Then in 93" made the huge mistake of buying a Ford, or should I say S**T. Purchased my 03" Chevy last fall; overall EXTREMELY pleased. I live very close to my work, and we use the wifes auto mostly so I dont have many mileson it, but overall truck is great. Only problems have been the radio; total crap! and one-time prob with guages going dead.

• 

  Silverado SS: Excellent all around truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By T Molchany - December 25 - 10:00 am

  I picked up my Silverado SS a week ago today and I am very pleased I decided on this truck. Yes, the Lightning is faster (how many Lightning owners actually have gone 140MPH?)but this truck balances performance, comfort and useability better than anything else available today. I am thoroughly impressed with the build quality and design. The paint is outstanding, the interior details are spot on and the creature comforts are better than expected. The Bose stereo is crisp and clear. You get quite a few lucks in this truck and to be honest, thats something I like. I traded a 2001 Corvette ZO6 for my SS and Im glad I did. Bottom line: Im a happy SS owner.

• 

  So far so good - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Buck - December 25 - 9:50 am

  We picked up our Tahoe just prior to a trip with the kids to the beach. We were able to put its practicality to use right away. The new styling is very fresh and we received a lot of looks as we were driving. The 4 cyl/8 cyl technology helped us get 19 miles per gallon even though much of our traveling was through the WV and VA mountains. We opted for the second row buckets and the rear entertainment system. The kids love it. Interior is very roomy with nice conveniences. Ride is great too. We have since had the opportunity to tow a boat and the Tahoe pulls very well. Only knock thus far is a pesky vibration where the headliner and interior trim meet the driver door.

• 

  Cheries pick - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By cherie - December 25 - 9:26 am

  I was pulled between this suv and the Nissan Murano and decided that for the price and the difference in fuel economy this was the smarter choice. I dont believe I have made a smarter choice in the last 3 years of ownership. When it is time for a new car I will most definitely look at the Equinox as my first choice again, and I must say if something is going to beat the Equinox it will have to be just the most awsome car of all time,and I dont see that happening.

• 

  killa car - 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By killakam - December 25 - 2:00 am

  heater core problems that about it...i bought it for like 5 hundred canadian...its got 261000km on it, but it still runs great