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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  Real Story - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Butch N - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Vary fun car to drive. Handles well, plenty of front seat room. Back seat difficult to get into. Looks really good but on mine any how the paint is too soft. Scratches vary easily even when washing. Power is more then sufficient. Great acceleration but tire spin is a problem even with the ESR.

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  Woof Truck! - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By vtxguy - December 1 - 2:00 am

  What can I say!I love this truck! Its so very comfortable to drive. Its very usefull in many different situations. From theater to hauling dirtbikes, or sleds.

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  perfect truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By curts - December 1 - 2:00 am

  We absolutley love this truck!I drive it around town and take frequent road trips.Handles itself perfectly in both situations.Great for hauling our crew and those stops to home depot.

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  TAHOE - PROVEN TO BE A ROCK! - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By CAROLYN S. - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I FEEL SAFE AND COMFORTABLE IN MY CHEV. TAHOE. WHEN THE DOOR CLOSES, IT SOUNDS SOLID LIKE A ROCK! I WAS TOLD THE GAS MILEAGE IS NOT GOOD, BUT I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED BAD MILEAGE AT ALL, WHETHER IN THE CITY OR THE OPEN ROAD. STOPS ON A DIME, SMOOTH TURNS, LOTS OF LEG AND BODY ROOM. NOT LIKE THE INFINITI, LEXUS, OR FORD SUVS.... YOU ARE NOT CRAMMED INTO THE SEATS, WITH YOUR HEAD TOUCHING THE TOP OR HITTING THE SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WHEN YOU GET IT. LOTS OF AREAS TO PUT CELL PHONE, AND MISC. ITEMS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SUVS IN MY TIME, AND UNLESS THEY MAKE THE HUMMER A LITTLE MORE COMPACT, I WILL CONTINUE TO PURCHASE A TAHOE. I LOVE IT!!!!

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  love my chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By MARLENE SPENCER - December 1 - 2:00 am

  looks good,ive had so many compliments on my impala,drives so good and the steering is so easy,i love the cd player and all its different features it looks so sporty and yet it is so practical,my husband talk me into getting it and im so glad!!

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  silverado - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Truckster - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Im sory but Im not sure what Edmunds reviewers were thinking about! If your in the market for a well built truck,consider the Silverados good looks, standard features, resale history and actual selling price. In my opinion when one considers rebates, dealer incentives and quality of this truck how can you not love it?

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  Black is Beautiful - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By pappap1 - November 30 - 10:00 am

  I searched all over for this color and equipment. All black with every option except heated seats(Florida). The car is a real head turner and runs great but a super-charger would enhance the performance like my wifes Regal GS. The only drawback is the padding of the seats. My 57 year old posterior needs more cushion on the long haul so I bring my own home made one for the longer drive.

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  cool truck - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By eddie johnston - November 30 - 10:00 am

  overall,a nice vehicle,underdash needs insulation ,tapping on top or front of dashboard sounds hollow,makes you think its cheapley built

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  Reliability Rocks - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Happy Prizm Driver - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 98 Prizm Lsi with 56,000 miles on it. Ive put about 14,000 miles on it since and it has been a great car. I got 35.9 mpg on the highway with 4 adults and a trunk PACKED with luggage, and this car doesnt even have the overdrive transmission. Rock solid reliability, according to most online consumer guides. My Prizm has some vibration over 65 mph, which did not disappear after buying new tires and having them balanced. Try to find a Prizm with the overdrive, so youre not buzzing so hard when driving highway speeds.

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  what a surprise! - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By thewrightstuff - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I took this car over from my mother when i moved to the area in 1999. i drive it hard because i live 50 miles from work, plus regular driving from place to place. this car has been reliable and beautiful! it looks brand new when washed, 7 yrs later, what a nice finish! as an ARCHITECTURAL interior designer, i would make improvements to the interior, but as a vehicle its been great and efficient. my mother bought the car used and someone had switched radios. it works but is a pain to figure out and theres no documentation on it. the clock is always off.