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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  Love My Car - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Judy - March 26 - 3:13 am

  This car not only has comfort, but it has luxury too. A smooth ride and all the extras make this a great car for the money. I cant say enough good about it!

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  Terrable seats and gas consumption - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By swavek - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This truck gave me sticker gas expectation on highway only. In the city it achieves 9 and change miles from gallon. This is my first new car, so I am trying not to step on it too hard. Between highway and city driving Ive got 10.6 miles per gallon !!!?... But thats O.K.. The real problem I have with the seat. So far Ive made 2700 miles and already have terrible low back pain from the seat. Id like to know if the seat is ergonomically correct. It feels like something is missing in the low back support. I hate the way breakes work. Feel like pushing the pedal through the floor but car is steel moving. Plus I can hear squealing while breaking already.

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  My pickup - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By swarens - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I really am enjoying this pickup. I had a 2002 and several improvements have been made on the 03 model, the new model no longer has vibrating rear doors, the build quality on my LS seems substantially better than the 02, the rear window defroster was a great idea since my 02 would fog up quite easily, the engine (5.3) has plenty of power, the electronic 4X4 works great, the satelite radio is amazing when combined with the Bose system. I test drove the dodge and the ford, Im not sure why some of the reviews rate them higher than the chev/gmc.

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  My 10. Chevrolet truck,most fun to drive - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By V.Max Troegel - March 25 - 8:30 am

  In general I like this truck,however the intake manifold gasket blew after 30000 miles, the chrome was pealing from the grill after 35000 miles the suspension bushings are squeaking even after they are lubricated.Drivers seat is getting soft on the outside. I hope GM will make improvements on its next model.

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  Tony - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bb083064 - March 24 - 10:26 pm

  It is a great truck. Well taken care of. Flowmasters were put on.

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  Silverado 2500HD - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By JT French - March 24 - 3:10 am

  Love the price I paid for the truck. Love the style/looks. Dont like the paint, scratches way too easily. Dont like gas mileage, only 13 on freeway and 10 around town, but mine does have 32 inch mud tires. Was 15 on highway with stock tires and it is a big truck, its going to get poor mileage. Other than that, I really like it..

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  Great Truck! - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By aclay84 - March 23 - 5:31 am

  Love my 2014 Silverado 1500 LTZ 4X4 6.2L truck. No problems yet! Great power, gas mileage, design and interior/exterior quality. Purchased most upgrades, Heated Seats & Steering Wheel, Navigation, Bose, 20" wheels and motor upgrade. Couldnt be happier with my decision!

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  everything i expected! - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dtown - March 23 - 4:00 am

  After owning this truck for a year and a half now, I am even more impressed. If you could close your eyes while driving you would not even know you were in a truck. It is so comfortable to drive, even for long distance trips. I have back problems and have had no problems when driving this truck. A little extra lumbar support would be Nice. What they have helps but it could be better. I love the interior except I would have liked more cup holders like everyone else. The stock tires tend to spin on wet roads and I plan on buying better tires when I can afford to. Had a couple if interior noises. Onstar is awesome. 18-21 mpg. I find onstar monthly reports to be helpful. Over all I am very happy.

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  Dissappointed - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dissapointed - March 22 - 10:33 pm

  Wanted to buy "American",Traded a Ridgeline(mistake),I noticed the quality difference right away, if I could have taken it back a week later I would have,they(GM)offer you $500 to wave the 60 day return option(now I know why).The Bluetooth works sometimes (AT BEST), the new 6 speed transmission is "Jerky" and shifts noticeably more than it should, at 9700 miles the brakes squeak,the speakers vibrate,the cloth seats are extremely cheap material. I had 36000 on the Ridgeline when I traded and it was a much tighter vehicle. I will either go back to a Ridgeline or other Manufacturer soon. Very disappointed in the Silverado. LT2 ZR1 CREW CAB

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  Malibu Base - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Aravind Ravi - March 22 - 7:40 pm

  it is roomy and very affordable family car. It is better than Camry or Accord. It also gives more fuel economy than what it says it gives. Very good looking too.