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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  Best of the bests - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Daman Verma - October 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought 2000,2001,2002,2004 and 2004 impalas. I keep the cars upto 32000 miles and then trade in with a new one. Currently, I have 2004 SS and LS. 2002 was in an accident and car was rolled over 2 times over the hill and 17 years old driver walked away without any scratch on the body. Best ride and money worth car is the Impala car.

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  Love my Tahoe - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Hannabell - October 26 - 10:00 am

  Went in for a truck and fell in love and drove off with the Tahoe Z71. Fuel economy I hope will get better after it gets broke in. Great ride. Very comfortable. Lots of room if you need it.

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  A keeper with a fancy bow-tie. - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mike Daniels - October 26 - 10:00 am

  No defects in 7 months/7,500 miles since purchase. Very comfortable, roomy, & quiet. Engine has great low- end torque. Chevy/GM really did their homework on this vehicle. It is light years ahead of the 2001 Jimmy I traded. Compares favorably with high- end SUVs costing $thousands more. All this and a fancy bow tie to boot.

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  ZIPPY - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By PATTY 128 - October 26 - 10:00 am

  IT REALLY HAS GET UP AND GO. RIDE IS GREAT, GAS MILEAGE IS GREAT TO.

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  Howard - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Walter Howard - October 26 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive.Good power.If you are behind a semi truk wind trubulence will rock the vechicle around.

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  The Greatest - 1990 Chevrolet Caprice
  By franvdf - October 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive had mine since new and it runs better than my2003 corvette. NO JOKE!

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  Excellent reliable car - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Robert Xu - October 26 - 2:00 am

  No problem at all for the five years, just change the oil every 3 months. Still using the original brakes and tires. The car has never failed on me.

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  nice car! - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By diaster24 - October 26 - 2:00 am

  ive had no problems what so ever with my car i got a really good prive on it and i love it its pretty fast with a cold air intake this one is worth buying!

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  Peaceful Car - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Ronna - October 26 - 1:36 am

  I got a 2008 Cobalt LS sedan, and its wonderful! Its great on gas and comforatble. I feel safe and secure in my new car. Its a perfect car for me, someone who likes to drive a lot and dont mind taking other people with me. It is a small car and though it does not look like it, it does have a lot of room for passengers without feeling cramped. It also tells you everything about the car with the push of a button :tire pressure in each tire, mileage left before needing gas, temp outside, avrg speed. Also, it is great with the fact that it is inslated well from the outside. I hear no wind noise or normal engine noise, so its a nice quite ride when I want it to be. I love it!

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  Great Coupe! - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Dr. Rudy Turnbough - October 26 - 1:03 am

  This is my third Monte Carlo, and I find it better than the first two! The car is fun to drive and handles great on the snowy roads we get up north. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone that appreciates a great American personal coupe, and yes I would buy another one.