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 SUV - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Zeb - July 29 - 2:13 am

  The fit and finish of the 07 Tahoe is fantastic. The improved fuel efficiency is nice but not all that noticiable. This truck performs like a much smaller car. If we were to go back six months we would still have chosen to purchase the 2007 Tahoe.

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  Goes - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By w1pdk - July 27 - 2:26 pm

  I have driven this truck for over a year now, and I have put over 35000 miles on it. Great truck to drive and also very fun. I have pulled over 16000 lbs in a gooseneck and it did perfect. The transmission is EXCELENT. Saves the brakes when hauling. With a K&N air filter I get about 13-16 GPM, with 265/75/R16, and a 1.5" front end lift it looks great.

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  Heavy Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By Sullivan - July 27 - 6:03 am

  This vehicle tows like nothing I have ever owned. Mileage is well within expectations. Both on and off road performance is very good but suspension is very stiff when not loaded. The numerous standard features are greatly appreciated. Am having problem keeping front wheel alignment with 4 W/D system but not excessive.

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  I am surprised - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Hurricane Carrie - July 25 - 12:16 pm

  I have been surprised by this car. I had no idea this car was so outstanding in gas mileage and performance. I am very pleased with this vehicle. I traded vehicles approximately once a year until I found this one.

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  AWESOME TRUCK!!! - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By S - July 25 - 11:33 am

  This truck runs better than a Ford ever thought of running. The interior, I admit, it does seem a little plain, but the seat is so comfortable. It just fits. This truck runs like a scalded dog. I absolutely love this truck.

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  2010 Equinox review - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By chad - July 25 - 10:03 am

  I have had the vehicle for over 2 months now. At first, I was a little disappointed with the gas mileage. I now have 4000 miles on it, drove it 400 miles on the interstate at between 65-75 mph and I actually got better than the 32 advertised mpg, I got 33.5. Granted, I did not have on the A/C and it was just my wife and daughter in it, not loaded down at all, but, for a vehicle this size, I LOVE it!!!

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  Biggest piece of junk I ever bought - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ben - July 24 - 3:36 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with this truck since I bought it. Side door strips keep coming off. Had a oil leak at 27000 miles rear main seal went out had to be replaced. When the dealership replaced the rear main seal they tore the transmission seal then had a transmission fluid leak. That was covered under warranty at least. At 37000 miles the rack and pinion went out and GM wound not help pay for it to be fixed cost me 750 dollars to get fixed. Just recently changed my oil and noticed a white milky substance that came out of the oil pan first. Just checked the oil yesterday and noticed the same substance on the dip stick which wound b coolant in my oil. I hope GM will help.

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  Summer car - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Richjay - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Its every thing what I had imagined it would be,(pleasure to drive),when I thought about buying my Monti Carlo Super Charged SS.Good looks and style.

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  EXCEPTIONALLY NICE TRUCK - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By STEVO - July 24 - 2:00 am

  IVE DRIVEN THIS SUBURBAN FOR 27,000 MILES AND NOT A SQUEAK OR A PROBLEM. VERY SMOOTH, VERY POWERFUL, VERY COMFORTABLE. I CARRY FIVE TO EIGHT PEOPLE AND ALL ARE HAPPY -- MUCH QUIETER INSIDE THAN HONDA MINIVAN IVE DRIVEN. VERY EASY TO DRIVE, CONSIDERING LARGE SIZE, BUT SIGHTLINES ARE GOOD. MILAGE? I GET 17 TO 18 ON THE HIGHWAY AND NEVER LESS THAN 15.5 IN CITY. PULLING TRAILER AT 80 MPH IN MOUNTAINS I WAS GETTING 17 MPG. NO KIDDING. I THINK THATS PRETTY GOOD, CONSIDERING THE THING IS HUGE. MY OLD VW VAN ONLY GOT ABOUT 15 MPG, AND THAT HAD A 60 HP MOTOR AND COULDNT GO

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  2003 Impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Nicholas - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Nice performing & styling, Superbr job well done. The suspension is awful, you can feel every expansion joint in the road. throttle pedal too soft. The contour of the seat was designed for a 54" hunch back, very poor for a person 6 1" with good posture. Soften the suspension and flatten the seats and it would be a very comfortable vehicle.