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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  Impala - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Keith Hunter - December 16 - 10:00 am

  This is an all-around competent, comforatble and fun to drive vehicle. I love the sporty, conserative look and feel of this car. Power everything, spacious interior and torquey engine is a thrill. Huge on inside, mid-size on outside makes city or highway travel fun and comfortable in all american style!

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  Good Value - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By watsonk - December 16 - 8:03 am

  I have been driving this new 2008 Impala LS for one week. There are a lot of improvements over my old 2001 Impala; mainly in the computer area, not mechanically. Overall, this car has good value. The LS has power window, lock, seat, and steering; cruise control; keyless entry and trunk release; OnStar; and XM radio. All these in the low end LS model! I just hope that the lower intake manifold gasket will last longer this time. Try to make a spare key (to open driver side door) in Home Depot, no luck! Home Depot does not carry this new style of keys.

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  2007 Avalanche - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Jerry - December 15 - 9:53 am

  I had my mind set on a F-150 until my wife conviced me to drive the 2007 Avalanche. This is the most flexible and comfortable truck I have ever driven. It looks great and really "works" like a truck. I highly recommend that you drive it. But be careful, once you do, you will not settle for anything else

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  Monte - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Jimmy - December 14 - 11:03 pm

  Since Ive had my Monte I have been going on a lot of road trips and have put a lot of miles on it. I have driven it across various states, into Canada, through snowy mountain passes, and this car has always gotten me from A to B flawlessly! I realized that I like front wheel drive when I was driving on snowy roads (you dont fishtail or lose control as easy as rear wheel) This is a good road tripping car. Though I did wake up one morning, started the car, and realized that some how the power steering pump went out overnight, being under warranty, the dealer took care of it quick. Other then that I believe this car is dependable, I have definitely put it through the test and it passed.

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  HHR Heaven - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Rick - December 13 - 4:56 pm

  I have driven Chevrolet all my life but this is the first brand new Chevrolet I have bought, and Im am very pleased. It is a very comfortable ride and looks awesome! I would recommend this car to anyone who likes Chevrolet. Gas mileage is excellent. Love everything about it. I tell everyone after 51 years I deserve a new car.

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  Good truck for family of 4 - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By ktmmike - December 12 - 9:43 pm

  The truck is not to big or too small. I travel mostly by myself, so having a full size truck would be a waste. The Colorado drives really nice & quiet! I had an S-10 with v6 (1999) and this truck runs circles around it. Gas mileage on highway, up & down hills is about 21-22mpg. In town about 19-20. So far no problems. The only problem I see thats out there, is the price of these trucks (Toyotas, Fords, Dodges etc.). Its out of control!

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  Nice car, I love it - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By M - December 12 - 8:26 pm

  It is the best car Ive bought new so far. My only single concern is the market stinks for them. Ive had two problems with it, the transmission made a hard bang when it was first put into reverse and given the gas, and the front baring in the driver side when out on a road trip to Mardi Gras this year and that was a 1200 miles on way trip.. Made for some loud humming!!! Otherwise I love the car, its fun to goose it, IÂ’ve noticed several people stare at it (today a guy in a Silverado just stared at it when we were at a red light!) I love it. Its black with the silver trim.

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  My best truck ever - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By mam643 - December 12 - 1:46 am

  Ive had this truck since new in 04. A truly fantastic truck to drive and tow with. The Durmax engine with the Allison tranny is a superb setup. The best GM has ever put out. I think the ride is a bit rough when empty though. I may try upgrading to new shocks and tires here soon.

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  2007 Impala LT - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By VR - December 11 - 6:03 pm

  Although I have only driven 200 miles in my new vehicle, I am very pleased with its quiet and smooth ride. The vehicle has ample power for highway driving and merging. I am also pleased with the vehicles handling and responsiveness.

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  Chevy got it right ! - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By bdini - December 11 - 3:13 pm

  I have been a long GM supporter starting back in the 70s with SS Chevelles, Z28s, Impala SS and Monte Carlos. I have also owned many cars from the competition and acurrently own a 2007 Accord V6 Hybrid. With that said, when its time to take a cruise the Monte SS usually leaves the garage first. I am not a big supported of front wheeled cars but Chevy certainly makes this car feel light to handle, while being agressively quick such as a performance car should. The 5.3 engine is perfect for this size car with a exhaust note that can only come out of a big V8. Also on the mileage side I average about 23-26MPG with mixed driving. Not bad for a 300+HP car. Sorry Honda,the wife still loves you