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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  2001 Chevy Impala LS - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Vince2000 - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Chevy did their homework and Im very happy to say that the Impala LS is a fantastic car to own and drive. The gas mileage is FANTASTIC.

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  Frustrated As Hell - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Garry98117 - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Recently upgraded from my 1998 Tahoe LT to this one. Big mistake, in under 4k mi. the power-steering pump shaft broke (making my return trip from the lake the best upper body workout of my life). After 3 days waiting for a new PS pump, got it back and now I am blowing interior light and sunroof fuses every 15 minutes for no apparent reason. Transmission clunks loudly when I pull my small boat, and still having trouble with climate control system (A/C goes on for no reason, and no it was not set on auto)! If possible I will unload this albatross and buy 1999 Landcruiser with 45k Mi.

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  Mali-Benz - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Vicki - July 13 - 11:43 pm

  The 2008 Malibu really should have been renamed to Mali-Benz. I love everything about this car inside and out. It looks great, drives great and the price is great. I usually trade cars every 2 to 3 years, but I dont think Im going to want to give this one up ever.

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  A Winner from Chevy - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By DLR - July 13 - 10:33 am

  We wanted more room (baby) but didnt want poor gas mileage or sticker shock. Great value for the price. I dont believe the epa city mileage, but I drive mostly highway and am averaging 26+ overall. Finally a vehicle with enough leg and head room (Im only 61"). The sliding rear seat is awesome. Love the look of this crossover and the mocha steel is a great color. Overall a pleasure to drive!

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  Best of 40 Cars Ive EVER HAD!! - 1996 Chevrolet Caprice
  By CarLvrOne - July 13 - 2:00 am

  Ive had 40 cars so far. From Cadillac to Toyota to Suzuki, etc. Some have been used, but a majority have been new. I can safely say my 96 Caprice is the "smoothest, quietest and most comfortable car Ive ever been in" and thats saying something since I have been in BMW, Mercedes and Lexus (the supposed standard) Cars before. Lots of room inside. From what Ive seen these EASILY go 200K+ miles and with long-life fluids/timing chain, maintenance will not be a chore (like Japanese/German Cars). Sad to see it go, I will cherish mine.

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  2001 Suburban LS - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Red 01 - July 13 - 2:00 am

  I have one major complaint with this vehicle. Wind noise around the front passenger door and the windshield. I have had it into 2 different dealers 3 different times. Some adjustments have been made but the problem persists. I had been told that the problem was anything from the bug deflector to the antenna to this is "normal wind noise". If it is normal then why when I drove a GMC pickup as a loaner for one of my service visits the pickup was noticably quiter? After all, it has the same hood, fenders, doors, etc. as the Suburban. If the wind noise problem could be fixed I would be fairly happy with the vehicle.

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  My Z71 Suburban - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Schredder - July 13 - 2:00 am

  I really like my new Z71. The looks are super and everything is well thought out and the build quality seems excellent..........at least compared to the poorly built new TrailBlazer. Give us bigger engines !!

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  Amazing truck! - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dj2or - July 13 - 12:53 am

  Love my victory red 4.8 v8 2007 regular cab. Ive added chrome front bowtie, sidesteps, doorhandles and tailgate handle. Ive also added a GM bug hood shield, bed mat and tinted the windows with 20 percent. Its nice to have a free year of OnStar.

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  I traded a Saturn for this beast - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By kstyle - July 12 - 12:10 pm

  I have 700 miles on this truck and so far I love it. Great quality and gets the job done. Gas kinda stinks on it right now but it is a new engine and when it breaks in Im sure it will be better. I considered a Titan but the price was right on this one.

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  MONTE CARLO SS COUPE - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By pprocess1 - July 12 - 10:00 am

  This has been the BEST Car I have owned yet! EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT...PERIOD!!