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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  SS Monte Carlo traction system - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Janny - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. The ride, look, and style are fine when it is not having problems with the traction control system. Of course, when it is at the shop it drives perfectly. The problem does not reproduce. Has anyone else written about this problem? When the traction active light comes on the car will drag.

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  Awesome - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By racer_1 - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Damn nice truck....best on the road

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  The perfect truck thats a luxury SUV - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Toddg - February 26 - 2:00 am

  The wife wanted luxury and I wanted a truck. We got the perfect compromise! The Z66 drives like a Cadillac!

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  silverado lt - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By wilder - February 26 - 2:00 am

  ther body style could be modified and not be so boxy. The ride could be smoother

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  Happy with my Silverado - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Carmel Beetle - February 26 - 12:53 am

  This is my third Silverado. It is the best built and best riding of them all. It seems so much tighter and quieter than the 99 model. The ride cannot be beat. I love the rear door opening on the drivers side.

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  GM Did it Right - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jblasterii - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Having three active boys, the Avalanche has been the perfect vehicle for our life style. Whether we are going to one of the boys baseball games, out of town, a trip to Home Depot or the loading up on groceries, the Avalanche has been great. With all of the little extra touches and features it has to offer, its obvious that a lot of effort and thought went into designing the Avalanche.

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  HD2500 Very nice truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By saleman454 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Truck is very nice. Rides great for a 2500hd. Much more rear seat/door room than Dodge. Fit / finish is very good. will tow a house. Fuel economy good be better but it is a HD truck. better economy than Dodge Hemi that my friend has. Only complaint is door lock trim piece is loose. very minor. Fuel tank is too small. Great headlights, and keyless entry feature is great. all light come on when key is pressed. Williams Chevrolet in Elkton Md are very good to work with. Great service/sales group.

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  great car - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By 570 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  reliable,fun to drive,great looking

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  This Vehicle is Great - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Scott Eldredge - February 24 - 10:00 am

  My experience with this vehicle has been great. I had a Trailblazer before, which I liked, but this has so much room inside. It has a great ride, too, and I havent had any problems with it.

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  Yikes! 3 Steering Racks in 3 Years - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Call me disappointed - February 23 - 12:43 pm

  No question, the Maxx gets great mileage (I average 29 mpg). And I love that the back and front passenger seats fold down to give lots of cargo room. And its fun to drive -- when its not in the shop for repairs. There have been several electrical problems while still under warranty, all easily resolved. The real problem is the steering rack. Its been replaced 3 times. My Chevy dealer says its a design flaw and many cars come in with this problem. If you want a trouble-free car, Id stay away from the Maxx.