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:

• 

  So far.....great - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By freeflowin - October 31 - 3:36 pm

  I bought this new in 2009. My very first new vehicle ever. I bought it during Chevys big rebate program and it was well worth it. I have the LT2 with leather bench seats. I truck rides down the highway so unbelievably comfortable that I forget Im in a truck. It is smoother then my moms Cadillac and way smoother then my BMW or my wifes Liberty. I have 38k miles on and the tires are still almost new and it hasnt burnt a drop of oil. Working in the oil fields it has been dependable on ALL road conditions from the mountains of CO and UT to the ice sheets of ND, it has been great. When I had a company Ford F-150 XLT, after my 1100 mile drive to the rig,my back killed the next day, not this

• 

  Well Designed Auto - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By gerber - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Strong features include: Comfortable seats--both front and rear; smooth and well controlled ride; relatively little lean cornering at 65-75 mph on the freeway; smooth automatic transmission; good low and middle range torque; good gas mileage; responsive stearing;

• 

  Best Truck I ever owned - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By tahoegirl - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This is the best truck I ever owned. No major problems except for air conditioning belt, and replaced brakes at 7,000 miles now have 52,000 miles and no problems. Captian chairs excellent heated seats are great in winter time. Only problem with interior, is the back seat does not give enough leg room for my growing kids.I pull a 5,000lb horse trailer in the MT, and I cant tell its there. I look forward to up grading to the 2500HD crew cab on day.. If you want a good family truck get the silverado...

• 

  Great buy, Great ride - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By MikeShep - October 31 - 10:00 am

  It is the most solid ride and best buy I have ever experienced. I feel safe, it looks great and rides and handles with grace and responsivness. It handled my New York winter superbly. I have not had but one minor gauge problem since purchase date. Best of all its American made with long overdue high quality "New" American standards.

• 

  great truck!! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By speedy12 - October 31 - 10:00 am

  purchased new and now have 3,500 miles on the odometer. love the 6.0 vortec,has great power through out the rpm range. tows my atvs and trailer like nothing!! the 410 limited slip is great for my back woods hunting. even though it is 2500HD, it will take you alot of places in 4 low. (i opted for the manuel shift transfer case which i love!) and still acts great on the open road. buddy has a 2003 f-150 and another a 2002 dodge, this vortec blows both of those boat anchors away! good job chevy!!

• 

  Fun and exciting - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By zdarin - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle, very minor problem with inside headliner(glue didnt hold), but it is a 1st yr model, and it is very sleek looking with great looking exterior, interior

• 

  Nox review - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jason Sexton - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Ive had some intial quality problems. The front struts seem to be faulty. They are on back order so it has become a headache to deal with. Overall the rest of the car I have no complants the stereo in excellent. There is more back seat room than any other car Ive been in.

• 

  CAR - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By F1333 - October 31 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR IS BETTER THAN ANY IMPORT

• 

  Amazing Ride - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Delreal98 - October 31 - 8:28 am

  Other shoppers should know how efficient this car is. It drives very smooth and helps you save gas by putting the vehicle in fuel economy mode. It is honestly the best car I have ever droven. Most importantly other than my new Chevy Cruze being as beautiful as it is, it also makes me feel safe!

• 

  Great car - 1995 Chevrolet Caprice
  By dweller - October 31 - 2:00 am

  Great car. shame they stopped making them. more style and power than youd expect.