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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  the 2004 cavalier LS sport coup - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By shannon corley - July 6 - 2:00 am

  I have recently purchaced my second chevy cavalier. I have owned a 4 door 2001 and now a two door 2004. I highly recomend driving this vehicle. This is a dependable vehicle with exceptional performance for a stock car. If you are a serious driver or maybe even just someone who wants dependable and afordable vehicle for a good price. this is the car to buy!

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  Fun To Drive - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Supercharged - July 6 - 2:00 am

  I wanted a car that would be fun to drive and different from the crowd. The MC has plenty of power, a smooth ride and a hot look. Love it!

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  traded in toyota... - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Pewter Metallic LT - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Weve been very pleased with our Tahoe. Boiled down to Sequoia vs. Tahoe-having been a satisfied toyota owner I chose Tahoe... Tahoe LT interior has a real luxury suv personality v. Sequoia with bland camry/tundra style appointments (just compare interior lighting style), Tahoe ride seems quieter and more refined, Tahoes leather color seemed richer looking than sequoias muddy brown or muddy gray.. We bought a fully loaded tahoe LT after rebates for less than price of Sequoia SR5... If the people at toyota would give the $40k Sequoia a more refined interior similar to that of their $30k Highlander SUV it would have been a much harder decision!

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  The best vehicle ever built, bar none - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By carlos carranza - July 6 - 2:00 am

  I have driven from Tucson to Las Vegas once and from Tucson to Laughlin, Nevada twice. The Avalanche drove beautifully, the ride was comfortable and the mileage was great. I have used it to haul 8 x 4 drywall, which i layed flat in the bed. It fit in there perfect and I was still able to close the tailgate. My opinion of this vehicle is that it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

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  review - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By c m brady - July 5 - 10:00 am

  excellent in ach category

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  g - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Chris Clark - July 5 - 10:00 am

  The Trail Blazer has good low end power but, in 0-60 times it is a dog. The Blazer has roomy back seat and also up front.

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  Very pleased - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Cameron - July 5 - 8:00 am

  Have had this car for 10 months now and very pleased; this is the vehicle that GM should have been producing for years. Get the ABS/traction control option. My 40-mile drive to work is largely on rural highways and if I set the cruise at 55 mph it will flirt with (and often exceed) 40 mpg on a mild day. Attarctive styling and color; no prblems. Excellent value for the money. My friends have been very impressed.

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  great utility, lousy on bumps - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Omaha Dad - July 5 - 2:00 am

  Most people complain about the mileage, but I get between 14 and 17 miles per gallon (much better than Ford or Chrysler in comparable models). The engine is a dream. Cargo space and people hauling is tremendous, but the fun factor is terrible. The jolts I get going over bumps is alarming, but the dealer says everyone with large SUVs and trucks get the same. My burb feels like its falling apart going over rough terrain, I cant imaging others feel the same thing.

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  Amazing - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ASAP - July 5 - 2:00 am

  This car is nothing short of amazing. Mine is like a drem come true. It is such a beautiful car, but i do think to reserve the excitement of this long lived classic they should put more of a limit on the production. I think that too many are sold, but maybe thats just me. Then again im sure they are sold because just about everyone wants the the driving excitment

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  Best Truck Made - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Milton Morgan - July 5 - 1:30 am

  I have owned Fords, Dodges and a couple of different import trucks in the past, but my 2005 Chevy is the most confortable and reliable of them all. I live in a small town in Southwest Texas, in the middle of nowhere, and a dependiable vehicle is a must. With my Chevy, I have peace of mind about getting on the road, which Im on a lot as you can tell by the milage on my truck, also after breaking my back while in the military and having four major back surguries since, the comfort is next to none. The fuel economy is, in my opinion better than Ford or Dodge. Also, down here, the OnStar feature really makes you feel secure and the XM is great.