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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  Mediocre at best - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By John Anders - July 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car with the intention of putting alot of miles on it. Its looks are great and i never fail to get stares. However the build quality is not good. I have sveral dash rattles and my air conditioning occasionally quits working. My shifter is loose and rattles over the smallest potholes. The gas mileage is great. I have no problems hanging with mustang gts.

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  I love my car - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Kisskalt - July 15 - 10:00 am

  Roomy, smooth ride, nice features and a fantastic price.

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  I LOVE IT - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By LANILALA - July 15 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE DRIVEN HONDA ACCORDS FOR THE PAST 9 YEARS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN INTERESTED IN A CHEVROLET UNTIL I SAW THE EQUINOX. I AM SO HAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE, I HAVE NOT MET ONE PERSON THAT HAS NOT BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE GREAT STYLE OF THE CAR. I DO AGREE WITH THE OTHERS ABOUT THE BLIND SPOTS, BUT I WILL GET USED TO IT. I DO RECOMMEND THIS VEHICLE (SUV) TO OTHERS.

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  Outstanding Automobile. - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By PhillyMike - July 15 - 10:00 am

  The Chevy Equinox offers such a smooth ride for a SUV. There was no comparison after mytest drive of the Equinox with other SUVs. Not only is the Equinox a stylish automobile it has great gas mileage and a great interior. I would highly recommend the Equinox if youre looking for a Midsize SUV.

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  Super Z - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Nemesis - July 15 - 2:00 am

  My Z has been the best car I have ever driven. It is so easy to squeeze dozens of horse power out of it for the minimal amount of money. And if your good with a Jigg-saw you can do half of the mods for free. To be able to get 400 hp from a stock motor with out having to spend more than $700 then thats the car you want.

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  Nice sports car...dispicable interior - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By BarbiePrincessM - July 15 - 2:00 am

  While my 01 camaro is quick and gets me attention, the interior is dispicable...at best. Everything from the seats to the cupholders are poorly designed and made of cheap, breakable plastic. My 99 chrysler sebring convertible interior was far superior to my camaros inside. I am considering downtrading to a 2000 sebring convertible because of the less-than-acceptable interior design

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  EXCELLENT DRIVING MACHINE - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By sear2 - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Edmunds is right, it might be call the Impala, but this beautiful front wheel- drive family sedan has little in common with the v8-powered rear-drive models of the past. It is a much better sedan. than the past, excellent performance from 3.4 V6 & 3.8 V6. And it is better sedan than Ford, Chrysler & Toyata.

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  Excellent - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Brian - July 14 - 11:53 pm

  I would have to say this truck is a great all around vehicle, whether on or off road it out performs all other half- ton trucks. The interior design is simple and functional and every mile of the 24000 I have driven so far has been a blast. Thanks for a great truck!

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  Great for the money - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By bob - July 14 - 7:40 am

  Impala ls under $20k. You cant beat this car import or domestic 4dr sedan this is it. The interior is basic and that is what I wanted. Trunk is huge good gas mileage

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  I LOVE my Truck! - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By malinche - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought it based on the 3rd door and the color (indigo blue)--yeah, it is a "girl" thing, but I am from a true Chevy family (5 Chevy cars, truck, SUVs from the same dealer) and my getting it was no-brainer. I live in the Bay Area and the V6 has served me well go up and down hills. I drive A LOT to SoCal and it is a comfortable drive. Ive have had no maintenance problems other then normal wear and tear. I will buy another truck.