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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  2002 Dark Blue - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By MOFac - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love my 2002 LS 2wd Tahoe. I feel I got a great deal- I upgraded to the third row seat,with the lift gate and leather seats- with the 2002 rebate I paid $29,000 plus tt&l. I am very much impressed with the comfort and smooth ride. I am getting great mileage (16.5 city 17.5 highway). I definitely recommend this vehicle!

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  the truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Notch - April 11 - 2:00 am

  could use the six cylindar back....it would give it a little more pep too make the driving experience a little better.

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  CHANGING CAB - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By ACE IS #1 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE HOW EASY AND SIMPLE IT IS TO QUICKLYCONVERT TO A PICKUP BED,I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS FEATURE ALL THE TIME! YET, WHEN WE GO OUT WITH ANOTHER COUPLE, I KNOW THEY ARE NOT CRAMPED IN THE BACK, THE SEATING IS AMPLE AND COMFORTABLE.

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  sub - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By frank messina - April 11 - 2:00 am

  i love this car it is cool it is fun to drive an lookes great

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  My Rating - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Stripes - April 11 - 2:00 am

  This car has excellent control and speed. It is fun to drive because it has balls.

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  it is a perfect 10 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ccc345 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I am a three time corvette owner and this is the best one yet. This is the coolest sports car out on the market

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  Best Value Auto in the World - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Don King - April 11 - 2:00 am

  There isnt a car available for the money that offers the ride and handling of a corvette.The power is awesome when you punch the gas.Cornering is remarkable how the car grips the road.

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  fun chevy - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By GTO man - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I do a lot of Turnpike driving and this car handles very well at high speeds ( 65 to 80 mph. Rides quiet, steers well and is responsive to both gas and brakes when needed. Good vision and no blind spots, mirrows do their job.

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  why bother to make an 04? - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Pluto5 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  The only difference between the 03 and 04 LS appears to be the price, about $2K more after rebates and discounts. For the $2K GM could of at least added head airbags. Otherwise, they should just keep making the 03s.

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  Buyers Remorse, but enjoy the Tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By DJG - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought my Tahoe in June of 2003 and already have 13500 miles on it, cant seem to stop driving it, but I do have my work car that doesnt get driven much. No real serious problems, except for what I paid for it. Never bought a vehicle that pricey before. All in all I am very satisifed with the Tahoe. Just added a DVD player for the kids and plan on going on a road trip to Disney in March.