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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  Cant go wrong here - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Walt123 - December 14 - 2:00 am

  I ve leased this vehicle for about 2 1/2 years now and I must say its been very reliable. 20 MPG in town and 31 on long trips. No mechanical problems at all. Very comfortable. When the lease is up Ill buy it.

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  Poor gas mileage - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Steve - December 13 - 9:16 pm

  Only got 14 mpg in town and 17 mpg highway. GM said some cars have this problem, but no solution. Drove for 6000 miles, and traded for a Mercury Mariner. Very dissatisfied with Chevrolet, their excuses as to the bad mileage, etc. My recommendation is to stay away from a Chevy Equinox.

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  Great! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Amanda - December 13 - 9:13 pm

  This truck is perfect for any person. It is not too big, and not too small. It has power when needed, and yet is just as smooth as driving a car, actually probably smoother. I love it!

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  Great except for the front brakes - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By bobtoski - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Great except for the front brakes.

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  Good for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By hgusmao - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I love the way it drives needs a little more performance into it

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  CORVETT - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Yenef - December 13 - 10:00 am

  WELL THIS IS TRULY THE BEST CCAR EVER INVENTED AND I WOULD NEVER TRADE IT FOR ANY OTHER.

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  Chev 1500 Silverado V6 - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By WJ PROTHEROE - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Safe to drive

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  Alaskan S-10 - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Scooter79 - December 13 - 2:00 am

  Have had NO problems whatsoever. Use 4WD daily during winter (October-May), with multiple switches between 2WD and 4WD on-the-fly each time out. Vortech V-6 is nice, but wish it had even more power as to drive home I need to go up STEEP hills, and pedal seems to be on the floor alot. Posi-traction and 3rd door are a must for my likings.

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  I have owned five Blazers - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By charles watson - December 13 - 2:00 am

  This is just a good solid well made all around vehicle. It is quite enough to hear the radio at freeway speeds and is very comfortable to drive. No rattles or squeeks. enough room to haul stuff and still fit in the garage.

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  Getting what you pay for - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Snookums - December 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with hesitation.I knew I didnt have the best car,but i also didnt expect problems from a new car.Such as...the visor is my biggest annoyance,stalls on occasion,floor matt on drivers side,electrical problems with two windows,blinkers,tailights and controls in the middle.Uncomfortable seats,loud A/C,cups dont fit in oddly placed cupholders. Worst of all, TERRIBLE PAINT JOB(if an acorn falls on my car it gets scratched)! I never knew of ANY car where a light in the glovebox was NOT standard! Nonetheless,i do like my Cavilier. Breaks work very good,gas mileage is awesome,nice look,safety features,radio/speakers,A/C,dimmed lights,performance.