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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  Great New SUV from Chevrolet - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Redeagle - August 22 - 8:56 pm

  Bought this to replace another manufacturers product. Great styling, and many great interior amenities. Sure footed in the snow and has all the great safety features, ABS, side curtain airbags, and OnStar.

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  Love the Style, but Hate the Problems - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Capehart - August 22 - 3:20 pm

  46 miles after purchase, the computer goes out. Great for 2 years, then the transmission goes out, sunroof gets stuck open and needs to be replaced. Now after a new head gasket from the leaking oil, it leaks worse. The car only has 88,000 miles now.

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  Coolness Of My 06 Monte LTZ - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By RJ - August 22 - 6:23 am

  What can I say about such a great car that hasnt already been said? Its fun to drive. It turns heads. Not 100% sure about the performance as of yet cause Ive not tried it. I also own a 1986 LS Monte Ive had for pretty much 10 years and part of the reason I wanted an 06 is cause my two Montes are 20 years apart. So far Ive cleaned the car like 200 times and it sets inside under a new car cover most the time. Since I got it, I think Ive put 1200 miles on it? I like cleaning the car.

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  Equinox Shock - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tina - August 22 - 2:43 am

  Hard to get used to driving the Equinox. Large blind spot on drivers side, and gauging rear distances is hard. Lots of mechanical problems in the short period of time Ive owned it.

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  Mikes TrailBlazer EXT - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Mike - August 21 - 2:06 pm

  Very comfortable ride, like driving down the road in your recliner. Smooth responsive steering. Good sound system. 3rd row seat is very convenient. Folds down easily for extra room and storage. Only downs are the obtrusive rear view mirror and non-aesthetic dash and controls.

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  Still Dont Like It - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Enterprise D - August 20 - 11:50 am

  Forget the 16mpg city & 22 mpg highway they say I would get, I get 12.3 city, 12.5 highway. Without the air on add .1 mpg. If I wanted a car I would have bought one. No cigarette lighter, but has a vanity mirror on the driver side. Guys dont use a vanity mirror, we use the rear view. Im back driving my 88 GMC 3/4 ton extended cab 8 bed 350 - get 20 mpg. Need to put out a step stool for some passengers to get in. Sits way to high, making it hard to get my tools out of the bed. Poor visabality right front fender (wiper in the way) I liked my 2003 1500 Chevy much better.

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  My Nox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Love It !!! - August 20 - 9:50 am

  Excellent ride.Comfy interior. Great style. Awesome stereo. Fuel economy is not what is stated on the sticker. Its fun to drive.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Christian - August 19 - 11:43 pm

  The performance of the car is great. Handling is also great for an economy car, specially compared to the previous year and competitors. This car will be excellent for autocross.

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  it is affordable for a single person and - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By corudy - August 19 - 10:00 am

  nice driving, small, comfortable, good on gas

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  Corvette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By drequay - August 19 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is a fun and new experience.The C5 is the fastest and funnest car to drive for under 60000. If u have a small limit this is the car for you. Spacious seat room and any chevy is a great car.