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 Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By kbchevy02 - January 31 - 9:53 pm

  this truck has a great motor. gets up and goes with very little effort. runs all over my dads 06 F-150. looks great and runs great.

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  The Best - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By flexcuffs - January 31 - 12:40 pm

  The Chevy Equinox has been an excellent SUV. Its a great ride, exterior is great, looks similar to the Lexus SUV. Knock on wood, no problems at all. Very roomy, great storage.

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  An ACTUAL review - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Bob - January 30 - 2:16 am

  The Cobalt is, thankfully, a massive improvement over recent Cavaliers. The car just feels so *solid*, and I havent felt that from a GM small car in years. I enjoy driving it even more than the Pontiac G6 I test drove, and I feel a lot more connected to the road than I did in the Mazda 3 when I test drove it. The interior is the nicest surprise, too -- all the high quality materials are just such a surprise considering the Cavaliers interior. You all should test drive this car, you wont be disappointed.

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  Exited New Owner - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Alan Jackson - January 29 - 3:03 am

  From comfort,convenience,safety, and just eye appeal GM has done a wonderful job with the Malibu Maxx. The projected mileage is arriving quickly. We are at 26+ for a mix of city and winding country two lane driving and the odometer is only 745mi. The engine has loads of power and the 112 inch weelbase provides a smooth stable and predictable ride.

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  great - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By parma jeorge - January 29 - 2:00 am

  the vehicle is wonderfull i rate it a 10

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  avalanche 2003 - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By 3putt911 - January 29 - 2:00 am

  For the past 10 months I have had no problems what so ever with my Avalanche. The comfort is unsurpassable the ride is as good as my wifes Jag S type. This is my first truck and rest assured not my last. It is incredable in the snow.

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  Colorado SUV - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By t-w-t - January 29 - 2:00 am

  This is my 6th Tahoe and the most refined in creature comforts to date. The handling on slick streets has been very good but I expect will improve when I dump the Firestone tires that came on it. MPG with our winter fuel has not been impressive. I am still adusting to Stabil track as opposed to auto track. So far we like the truck.

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  2003 silverado - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By peter janke - January 29 - 2:00 am

  this is an out standing truck

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  2500HD Duramax: Solid Powerhouse! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By PRS - January 27 - 9:00 pm

  I have owned this truck (2500HD w/ Duramax) almost one year and have loved it. Great power, solid truck, smooth ride(for a truck). Not sure why build quality is mentioned as an issue. I have not had any issues with mine. I would wholeheartedly recommend it.

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  Value Packed Performance - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Aaron - January 27 - 1:36 pm

  This car is exceptionally well designed and built for the money. Biggest praise goes to the performance as the car will actually break the drive tire loose when cruising at over 30 mph if the accelerator is pressed hard. The active fuel management is a great innovation and definitely improves fuel economy when the car is not driven hard. For anyone out there who is dissapointed in this system just lay off the accelerator a bit and it will perform its intended function quite well. Ive driven this car for just over 2,000 miles now and the ride and handling are superb, steering feel and response is best of any vehicle Ive ever owned, brakes are balanced with great stopping power and pedal feel.