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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  Smooth - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By mrmike - March 31 - 3:23 pm

  This car is roomy, very comfortable and nice to drive. A few more places to store items woud be nice. Maybe a second glove box under the dash. It is a little difficult to get in and out of, (old guy) but once in its great!

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  Skip the Toyota - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Viking - March 31 - 4:43 am

  At 67" I need some leg room. I was looking at Toyota Highlanders because the Rav4 did not have enough leg room and I was sick of Chevys (having had multiple problems with my Blazer) My father in-law bought one of these and raved about it so I stopped at a dealer and tried it out. Does not feel like a Chevy and for the price I got the all wheel drive which I could not afford on the Highlander. So far so good, no complaints.

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  Great - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By ASR - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought htis for my first car this is a great car its reliable and gets great gas milage its also good for people w/ long legs

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  SS Supersport - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By SS 2004 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Excellent vehicle. Highly recommended.

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  Corvette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By danscamaro1 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  The Corvette is a legindary car of America as it started in 1953 til now and its still the best sports car money can buy for its looks and for the performace it delivers and with 0-60mph in just under 4.0 seconds and hit the 1/4 mile in mid 12s i think this car will be around for a lond time to come.

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  Awesome Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By SportyChica - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This is my dads first truck since his ford in the 80s. Let me just say this is an awesome truck. I driven a few times and it is great. The power is awesome. We have great interior features and if it werent for the great deal he got he never would have bought it. My dad was a ford man before this but i convinced him to take a look because the dealership was having good deals. The features are really nice and the seat is comfortable. Chevy definately has a great truck

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  poor gas mileage - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By sonnyh777 - March 29 - 9:58 am

  I am very disappointed with the gas mileage. I took a trip to Florida on straight flat roads and could only get 23 mpg. It had 4800 miles when I took the trip. I am used to getting 32/34 mpg on my 2006 Impala and it was a 6 cyl. The only reason I selected the Equinox was for the advertised great gas mileage. We had planned on taking a road trip around the country, however, with this mileage we will have to cancel. I wish I had kept my Impala!!

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  No Complaints - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Zippy - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I owned a Ford Mustang... I was going to drive it until I got more money but it crapped out on me. So I got a deal and half through the company I work for, dealers invoice with a 1500 dollar rebate for the Malibu. I used to own Avengers and Camaros and Mustangs, ALL can handle "hard" driving... the Malibu really cant. If you drive hard, like take corners to quick and jump off the line... then by pass this value... I have replaced two tires and all four rotars and brake pads... I am currently at 18,800 miles. IF you are a conservative driver, then this is DEFINATELY the car for you... Over all NOT a bad car at all, just dont drive it hard.

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  Back to GM - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By TexasTrailblazer - March 28 - 10:00 am

  Traded in a 99 Dodge Durango that was getting a little long in tooth. Have been watching the TB for awhile now, reading reviews, talking to owners etc. and decided I would give GM another try after two (shame on me) not very good 94 and 96 Jimmy experiences. Using GM BuyPower picked up an LTZ this last week. Overall good buying experience, pricing, and dealer delivery. I am initially very very impressed with the car. This is a Caddy in an SUV skin. Give yourself a few days to program everything! If the vehicle reliablilty holds up then this will be a winner. Ill let you know.

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  Chevy Trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By atriva@erols.com - March 28 - 10:00 am

  3 months use, no problems of any kind