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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  The Full Monte - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Barry Panzer - August 18 - 2:30 am

  I absolutely love this car. i previously owned a Jag X-type and CTS. Tons of features, extremely comfortable front seats, great visibility, and solid powerful ride. Black with spoiler is a knockout. The cabin is very quiet, and the trunk is spacious. Not too many around, if unique matters. No glitches on delivery. Perfect, if car is rarely full. Fabulous audio. If you read about the small back seat, its true, but calling controls "cheap" is silly. All devices are sensible, easy to operate and if you need the fake plastic burled wood look, buy something else.

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  Seats - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Nona Brewer - August 17 - 1:36 pm

  The only suggestion I could make to improve the Tahoe, is to put in fold down seats. Can be awkard carrying large items and the 3rd row seats are so heavy to remove, especially for a woman. I love the Tahoe and its my second. I traded in a 2003 for the 2007.

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  UnHappy Owner - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By HenriL - August 17 - 10:00 am

  I had to take the Truck in 4 times to get the AC worked on, they replace the compresor once and still takes 4 to 5 minutes to start to get cold air from the AC system. NO good when you live in Florida. I see alot of people with chevrolet truck with one burn driving light and now I join them 600 Hour on the Enging and already changing a bulb, I dont think is very good qualaty. and last thing. DO NOT drive your truck in the woods, any brush will scratch your pain, again low quality.

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  SS Fan - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By matt cirafice - August 16 - 11:04 am

  Why this was made to be a front wheel drive vehicle is baffling. I have enjoyed it but the gas mileage is poor and some of the designing is poor. The latch to the hood nudged a hole in my condensor somehow. Very expensive repair ($1200). The vent door actuators are chinese made garbage that constantly fail (there are 4 hidden in the dash) and when one fails it make a loud annoying clicking noise. On the plus side, if you need to pass someone, just press the gas a little bit, 8 cylinders jump into action. Great on road trips.

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  Midsize comfort - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By gkoz - August 14 - 9:20 am

  I was a full-size truck owner looking for something a bit smaller and easier on gas. The Colorado fits the bill. Much easier to park in the Walmart parking lot not to mention my garage. The box might be small for some people but I can get at the things in the back without climbing in. I pull a double ATV trailer and a utility trailer with ease. The 4000# load range is more than enough for my needs. The cab has room enough for four adults and is much more comfortable than my 2002 extended cab GMC Seirra.

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  My HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Gary C - August 14 - 4:13 am

  Im well pleased with this vehicle. Fuel economy is great & the ability to use nearly the entire length of the vehicle to haul cargo beats the PT Crusier hands down. Vehicle controls are within easy reach and its a real pleasure to drive. Fit & finish on my vehicle were great. Ample storage throughout.

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  The Gas Mileage is HORRIBLE - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By KBAA - August 14 - 3:20 am

  If you want to get good mileage then USE your CRUISE! I tried to just keep my speed consistant without cruise control going up a medium sized hill and it was all I could do to stay at my speed....much less accelerate. The car is smooth driving but I would recommend getting this vehicle if you live on flat terrain.

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  Chevy 3500 - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By Hauwse - August 12 - 11:06 pm

  I cannot say enough about the performance of this truck. Purchased for hauling a 16,00lb 6 horse trailer. I have done 4 2500 mile trips in this truck, basically driving none stop each trip, and never had a single hiccup. Power, braking, etc. are excellent. Pulled through the Rocky Mountains without any drama, basically you forget you are pulling a trailer with this truck. My trailer brakes went out on one trip and it was not an issue with the tow haul mode, and the trucks braking power. The truck pulled a loaded trailer in excess of 85 MPH effortlessly.

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  INTIMIDATORS REVIEW - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By detluv313 - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Well I bought my car in June of 2000. 1- week later I had to take it back because of the vacuum lines. The fuel system is funny you can only put certain types of gas in it. It took my grandfather and myself 3 days to tune the car up, then to find out a day later the plugs and wires were recalled. other than that and replacing a water pump at 62K the car hasnt been to much of a burden. although I think that if you dont keep up the 3.4 with regular service, it will cost you in the end. also the brakes are weak after i leave out of the car wash.

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  My 2nd Vette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Carver - August 11 - 2:00 am

  My first Vette (which I still own) is a 1980L82 Coupe. The improvements in the C5 are stunning. I still drive my L82, and frankly it get the most looks and comments, however, the C5 is by far the better engeneered. The heads up display, memory package, active handling, power, and 30 mpg, make it an auto enthusiest purr.