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 2003 Corvette Z06 - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Carlton Cox - March 12 - 10:00 am

  I have owned several vehicles ranging from 315 to 425 horse power. I loved a couple in spite of their poor gas mileage, high maintenance, and uncomfortable ride. So, the Z06 was love at first ride. It will out perform the 425HP cars I have owned. The ride is very comfortable and it gets a realistic 25-28 mpg on the highway. I have had it to 160 mph, which it achieved very easily on a short closed track and yet it sits very contently in stop and go traffic. .

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  Z06 - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By pheick - March 12 - 10:00 am

  The Z06 is an outstanding vehicle. Traded a 2001 corvette coupe in for it - there is no comparison - the Z06 is more powerful, more responsive and a lot more fun to drive.

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  Great ride - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Brian J Russ - March 12 - 10:00 am

  Great ride and handling. Is an excelent vehicle in snow even though it is only two wheel drive. One of the few vehicle I have driven that is still comfortable after 12 hours of steady driving.

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  Need some changes - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By saasha - March 12 - 10:00 am

  I bought my red tahoe on Valentines day. Have put almost 6000 miles on it.Mostly I like it, But there are a few things I really dontlike about it.One is that I see myself on the road a thousand times. Couldnt Chev. change the colors or something from year to year.

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  AWESOME RIDE - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Stuart W - March 12 - 10:00 am

  the chevy trailblazer 4wd/awd LS is a dream for any consumer. i have found a flawless performance all around. Great onroad and offroad with style and comfort included :)

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  One Year Evaluation - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jolene - March 12 - 5:33 am

  This is the first American vehicle I ever purchased. I am extremely pleased with the performance, design, color, and comfort. There is also plenty of room for 5 to fit comfortably. Its a sharp looking SUV. Thanks Chevrolet, you will always have me as a loyal customer.

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  Incredile Crossover, Incredible Value! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tim M - March 12 - 5:00 am

  I got my Equinox last week and its awesome! I got the LT2, Mocha Steel Metallic, Black/Brownstone Leather, Sunroof and Rear Entertainment. I am currently averaging about 24 MPG combined and hopefully it will go up. No problems so far and the 6 speed auto-transmission shifts very smooth. Fun to drive and very comfortable.

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  love chevys - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By tygable - March 12 - 3:56 am

  The car was bought used @ 5 years old but 1 think it may be bad luck. Front brake rotors were shot needed replaced. Front windshield got cracked, then two weeks later a Toyota rear ended me. Although it totaled the Toyota all my car needed was a little buffing compound. Overall the car has been pretty reliable. Gets 31 mpg on highway, 22 city. Not bad for a v-6.

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  sweeeeet - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By BOB - March 12 - 3:47 am

  from an excursion to this.... no comparison. chevy # 1

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  what more could you possibly want? - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ray harrelson - March 12 - 1:44 am

  this is my 4th new vett, the best yet! its got room, comfort, ride, handling,great ecom,unreal power,great looks,at a price no manuf. can even come close to. now match that!!!!!!!!!