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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  Smokin - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By loveman - December 1 - 5:03 am

  This car has been in my dreams for the longest time and now it is my reality. Regardless of price it is worth every penny. I fell in love with the Vettes since I was a kid, and now I think I will never grow up.

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  Superb ride - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By FLDave63 - December 1 - 2:00 am

  After four Jeep vehicles (Cherokee and Grand Cherokees), I truly did not expect to be buying a Chevy. One test drive in an EXT, after testing several other makes, and I found myself driving one home. I found it to be surprisingly nimble for its size. The interior is very comfortable, except that the seats are rather firm.

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  The Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By Tyler Smith - December 1 - 2:00 am

  If you want a truck that is powerful, quiet deisel engine, then the chevrolet 1 ton dually is the truck for you. It has slick, inovative styling making it aerodynamic and one big truck all at once. You can go through the drive thru of a resteraunt without having to turn off your truck. The truck to have is the 2004 Chevrolet 1 ton dually.Period.

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  The xtreme makes em wet!!! - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jdogxtreme - December 1 - 2:00 am

  As soon as I step into my xtreme, I feel about 3 times more cool.... The ride is smooth and quiet and I notice others watch me go by in envy.

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  Great car but with exception - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By montgomery - December 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is extremely comfortable. I call it a poor mans Cadillac. The only problem I have had with this car is the brakes. Replaced rotors at 21000 miles and again at 35000 miles. This has also ruined four sets of pads and they are gone again now at 49000 miles. General Motors says they have no problem with this but I know different after owning 14 Chevrolets. Do not trust the brakes.

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  piece of junk - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By aaroonk277 - December 1 - 2:00 am

  the interior rattles so bad i have to keep the volume up high, along with many many other problem that the dealer ship couldnt figure out. dealership said so sad to bad. I really got taken for in this buy. I should have paid alittle more for a nissan or a toyota and had fewer problems.

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  2001 Tahoe - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By lcc073 - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Overall very impressed. Like the comfort, feel, and diversity the vehicle offers. Ton of room, 4x4 capacity, luxury seating, dual climate control etc....

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  I cant belive my eyes - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By HipHipHoray! - December 1 - 2:00 am

  When I totaled my Volvo S60 i needed to get a car fast. and it had to be satisfying yet inexspensive it also had to be around the size of the S60. found the 04 malibu. I was surprised by the Malibus performance..its ride is very great and it gives me that secure feeling...its engine is very responsive. My son usually takes the car out and goes driving around with his cousin and friends, he loves it. It has that sleek yet muscular design that the s60 got. The interior is quiet and simple..If your looking for a car..this is it..its a bargan priced Euro or Import and is just as good and the V6 is priced lower that some competetors I4!

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  Very poor antenna - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Saynomore - December 1 - 2:00 am

  This Cheve Malibu has the radio antenna in the rear window which performs fair on FM but is terrible on AM. Ignition noise is prominent 90% of the time. My dealer agreed to install an outside antenna at his expense which completely cleared up the problem. The FM is also more sensitive now. Strongly suggest buyers to negotiate for an outside antenna before purchase.

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  My Monte Carlo - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By ady - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Monte Carlo in November 2003. So far the car has performed beautifully.It rides very smooth, the pick up is great and the fuel milage I get is about 28 on the highway and 24 in the city. The interior has a little to be desired the leather is not soft it looks like vinyl, the seats are not as comfortable as I would like them to be but then I was used to driving a Eldorado. But to compare the two I think other than the interior the syle and drive of the two vehicles are about the same except for about $25000.00 cheaper. I would recommend the Monte Carlo anytime.