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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  First GM vehicle in the family - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Igor - October 25 - 7:50 pm

  4cyl, 2LT, FWD, power liftgate. It feels like a European car - full of high-tech features, nice handling, smooth ride, quiet, well-built, economical. Everything is automatic, from lamps to climate - you just enter it, switch to "D", drive, get the key out, leave. Smooth, quiet ride. Looks and feels way more expensive than it is. For families with car seats - it is easy to remove rear headrests by unlocking them first. Just insert a thick needle (or straightened paper clip) into each small hole in the plastic ring around the metallic rod of the headrest, and use something firm to push the needle towards the lock. Once both locks are unlocked, the rear headrest slides up easily.

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  Better then anticipated - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Mike D - October 25 - 6:03 am

  I worked for GM in Warren, Michigan for 16 years and owned 14 Camaros from 1974 to 1986. Since then I have owned mostly BMWs. I couldnt wait for the new retro Camaro to come out. Bought one for my 17 old daughter to experience the thrill that I grew up with (driving a Camaro). I have to say the 2010 Camaro is much better that I expected. Amazing power and handling. Excellent breaking... even compared to my BMW 330. The $33K price was a bit much. It is great to see my daughter love the same car that I loved to drive back in 1974. So I guess that makes it worth the $33K price tag.

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  love it - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By berstray - October 25 - 2:00 am

  love it, have had a lot of people check it out, and ask questions

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  my truck - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By s10metalhead - October 25 - 2:00 am

  i love my s-10,i got used and its got some snot for a 4 cyl. i drive it alot,i mean i have a lead foot,and the truck accelerates nicely. ive taken that truck soaring over hills at about 90 and it handled the abuse well. flying around corners in it is great, my friends dont even notice it, and im hualing ass too. my friends (the girls love that truck,long story) the guys think its awsome i mean its got a good sound system in it for stock

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  Chevy Astro - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By Sturle B - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Mr. Edmonds ought to speak for himself. Im on my second ASTRO and it is perfect for my driving/hauling needs. When this one wears out, Ill get another.

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  BIG RED - 2000 Chevrolet Suburban
  By TDTRUCK - October 25 - 2:00 am

  This is one tough truk! It hauls, it tows, it hunts! The 6.0 Motor gets 10MPG with all nine seats full & pulling a 3500lb pop-up over Monarch Pass, CO (~11,500 feet) at 55 mph! Breaks are great for a truck this size

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  2003 Blazer 2 door - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By cjvk - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I like the way the Blazer 2 door looks. It is also very comfortable for a tall man. Other SUVs in its range do not have the head and leg room that the Blazer has. The V6 has enough power but I do have to step on it sometimes to get the job done. The transmission hangs on 1st gear a little long but overall the trans works well. The quality of the vechile is superior.

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  all gm vehicles should be this good - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By fancydancy - October 25 - 2:00 am

  An outstanding car. Rides well with comfort and style. Engine and brakes are responsive and strong. The only problem this car has had has been early replacement of front brake pads at 28000 miles and frayed wires which were replaced under warranty at 22000 miles (the dealer said this problem was probably caused by animals which had chewed the wires!) Otherwise no problems. Car could be quieter, however.

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  best car ever purchased - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jeff a-town - October 25 - 2:00 am

  What a wonderful car! Even though the C5 is out since 1997, this car still gets looks from almost everyone on the road. Value & performance for the dollar is second to none. Fit & finish were perfect. I added a ram air system and a performance exhaust system. If you think this car was fast before...this car really goes now.

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  A Dream come True - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By J. Morris - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I had a ford explorer and was never satisfied with its size and I am so happy that I changed over to the Chevy Tahoe for its performance and shape it has been a total pleasure to drive it everyday.