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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  Fun Vehicel to Drive - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Paul S. - April 8 - 11:06 pm

  I just love this vehicle. It has so many neat features. This is the first vehicle Ive owned with a sunroof which I enjoy very much. With a 5 star crash rating and dual stage air bags, I feel much safer than my previous SUV, a 2000 Blazer. I got 26MPG on my first highway trip which was 6 MPG more that old SUV.

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  Malibu Maxx LT - LOVE TO DRIVE! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By StacyShipley - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I recently turned in my Jeep Liberty after test driving the Malibu Maxx. I fell in love with it as soon as I got behind the wheel. I must admit though, I was nervous about getting a car after years of riding high in an SUV. BUT, in the Maxx I dont feel like Im riding too low. I have a long commute to work and the XM radio saves me from the boring talk radio! The heated seats in Michigan are a must!

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  Dale Jr SS - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By bigolepig - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 2002 Monte Carlo SS, for a 2004 Dale Jr Supercharged SS...A few minor changes, the steering is tighter, few cosmetic changes in gages and controls, not to mention it is just throw your head back fast!! I loved my first Monte Carlo, and only willing to trade it in on a newer one...all the luxuries of a Cadillac...but still youthful enough and sporty enough to turn all the heads in town...even the Jeff Gordon fans...ha!!

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  New Vette Owner - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By VetteC6 - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I never had a Vette before but I did own a Camero.I am not overly impressed with the styling inside or out, in fact I like my Cameros styling better but the car handles great and it is very fast! It will take some time to be able to parallel park since it it hard to judge the front or rear of the car. I worry about buying having bought a new redesigned car. I hope this one does not have problems. My Camero was a new model too and spent allot of time at the garage.

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  Undesputed : Best Value - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By LB Mammoth - April 8 - 10:00 am

  What has kept this car going for so long is truly plain and simple, a great car for a great price. There is no competition. It is the best fifty thousnad dollars anybody can spend on a car. Drop a four thousand dollar supercharger in it like me and a couple of minor upgrades to the intake and exaust, and youll have yourself on heck of a street machine that an $83,000 Viper cant even touch. Plus your still under sixty thousand.

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  corvette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By yogie - April 8 - 10:00 am

  This cars is a great overall!! It has aswesome interior, great handling and well it a corvette

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  car review - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By SDA - April 8 - 10:00 am

  Chevrolet came very close to having a very nice car. It needs to be a little more solid and have a little less plastic. Overall this is a very nice car for up to 4 adults and 1 child or two adults with 3 children.

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  I Love my Equinox!! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By dzredhead - April 8 - 10:00 am

  Drives smooth and easily. Very easy on the eyes! So far, it is the most favorite vehicle of all I have ever owned! Highly recommend!

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  a fun ride - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ringermc - April 8 - 10:00 am

  A great vehicle love the look and its fun to drive. Only thing they need to change is to darken the interior. Handles the road great love the extra leg room in back. a great vehicle.

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  Best truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By revolver - April 8 - 10:00 am

  this is one of the best trucks that i have ever owned!!!