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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  Not too shaby for the price - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Kennyg - April 17 - 1:46 pm

  Plenty of pickup. A very nice looking car, gets good mileage and is a quiet, comfortable ride.

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  My Opinions - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Betsy - April 17 - 9:26 am

  I love my car but there are a few things I would definitely change now that I am an owner: There should be an interior light at the front of the car between the sun visors When the gas is low, it should ding and not just show the gas tank lit up. I have been lucky to be near a gas station when I finally noticed. The steering is a little more difficult to handle when parking than a regular car. Not much storage space in the front of the car

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  Bigmillage - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jim OReilly - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck in 1999 with 207,200 miles on it. Its a 1994 with the 4.3 V-6 Highoutput, ZM6 off road suspension. which performs great!!!!! everything is ALL orginal nothing has even been touched. And as of right now i drive over 500 miles a week in it and she will get an amazing 24 mpg on the highway even with over 289,000 miles on it!!!!! People need to get their act together and get off the Rangers and other compact pickups and come get a S- 10!

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  Awesome Car! - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Red Storm - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I love my Camaro RS, its so much fun to drive for a V6!

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  Excellent vehicle - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By G Scott - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding reliability, excellent performance, "interesting" interior design makes this a unique experience. I drive this car everywhere, in all conditions, and the car has performed extremely well. I have had no problems with this car. Change the oil, check the coolant, and youre pretty much set. The interior is this cars weakest link. Half of it can be taken apart simply by pulling on the plastic panels.

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  2 YEARS LATER - NO COMPLAINTS - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By G_WILSON - April 17 - 2:00 am

  NEARLY 22000 MILES - HAS SERVED US WELL OTHER THAT A POWER STEERING PUMP LEAK WHEN NEW THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ANY WARRANTY RELATED REPAIR/PROBLEM(S). CAR REALLY DOES GET 32-33 MILES TO GALLON ON THE ROAD . . . IM PLEASED. . . AND IT CAME AT A VERY REASONABLE PRICE TOO . . .

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  Wet Cargo Area - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By looking - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been a joy to drive. The ride is very good and handling is superior . The interior roominess is like being in your own livingroom at home . However I have one beef and it is large , In a rain storm or a car wash if you have clothes in suitcases or valuable purchased paper products in the cargo area you may have WET ones . I was told the cargo area wea air tight when closed . I found out different.

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  No Regrets - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By dan hipp - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This is the first of many vehicles (SUVs, Trucks & Sports cars) that than I am as happy with as the day I bought it. Its build quality, utilitarian and comfort characteristics are ideal for someone who needs carry the family on road- trips, haul lumber/"stuff" and 4-wheel drive in the back woods on occasion. If you can get used to the odd look (I did) you wont be disappointed.

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  DONTCALL - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By DISSATISFIED - April 17 - 2:00 am

  BAD SALES, BAD CAR, BAD RIDE, ROTTEN PRICE

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  The One To Buy! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By TrailBlazN N* Jersey - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The TrailBlazer is far superior than all other SUVs in the Midsize class!