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:

• 

  Silverado 4x4 - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jaspar - September 21 - 10:00 am

  I looked at Ford, Dodge, and Toyota and this is the best of the bunch. Ive owned Fords and will never buy another one. Great ride for a truck. Service at my local dealership is great. My next truck will also be GM.

• 

  Equinox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Denny - September 20 - 11:26 pm

  I have a great experience with the Equinox. I have driven everything else on the road and this has given me the best interior room and gas mileage is great too.

• 

  2005 Monte - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By sd74oklahoma - September 20 - 8:43 am

  Blue Ribbon treated me great! The car runs great- of course I take good care of her with regular oil changes and such... Minimal issues all expected with running a car. Very happy.

• 

  I fell in love! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By ladyangel - September 20 - 5:53 am

  I loved this car the moment that I saw it, in the purple. But due to my disabilities and other circumstances I had to get another one in silver. So far so good with operational peace and comfort.

• 

  Monte Carlo LS Rocks - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Bill Turner - September 20 - 2:00 am

  The 2002 Monte Carlo LS is not only fun to drive, but gets excellent gas mileage and because there are not a lot of them on the road, turns heads. Sleek, stylish and fun to drive. The controls are built for the driver, allowing ease of use. The separate passenger heat control eliminates any debate about the temperature and the stereo rocks!

• 

  Looks are deceiving - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Rana - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Dont buy a vehicle on looks only. Yes it may be a sharp looking vehicle but what is really underneath it all? A load full of problems. I have a 2001 Impala with more problems than one person can handle. Realiable huh! Realiable to get you stranded on the side of the road! Beware and do more homework than I did!

• 

  nice little car - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mike - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Just bought this car couple weeks ago. Got over $4000 off the MSRP with $2002 rebate and a huge GM card earnings. So far its been really nice to drive. The new 2.2 Ecotec engine is much better than the old 2.2 and 2.4 engines. Feels more powerful than most small car.

• 

  Good - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By DB - September 20 - 2:00 am

  My new Chevrolet 3rd Door LT 1500 is a great truck. I love everything about it

• 

  Impala - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By nlasanta - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Truly like the car. Windshield wipers dont seem to fit. Change oil light came on after 2400 miles.

• 

  I love mine - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By JR Cook - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I have the Red with silver, one coplaint is that everybody must of got that color as well. I love everything about mine except the sun visors, they are useless, unless you sit with the seat all the way forward. The 5.3 is a very snappy motor, it gets 18 mpg on the highway.