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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  one bad bowtie - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By flash2003 - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Lets see, the SILVERADOSS. Is a Great ride, handles like a corvette interior like a caddy, awsome BOSE sound system. I is a quick fullsize pick up truck with awd and great towing cap, ext cab with large rear doors, Also it has some nice options

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  get one - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By bryan - March 25 - 5:46 am

  I just bought this truck and I am very happy with it. I wanted a Dodge ram originally and all my peers said go with Chevy so I did and got a great deal and I actually am happy that I did I really enjoy this truck so far. Hopefully it lasts me 200,000 and then I will be Chevy for life.

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  Like a rock - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By biggame - March 25 - 2:30 am

  I pull heavy loads of carpet with this mule every week. Bought it with 45,000 now has 120,000 on it. Love the tow haul transmission mode. Got nearly 22 miles per gallon going to Detroit. Very happy with this truck. Ive had them all. This is the best by far

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  Buy American now and be impressed - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By jon - March 24 - 5:43 pm

  At 35 miles per gallon on the highway, 24 mpg in the city on a large car with a v6, its acceptable. Also, this vehicle will run on ethanol-85 which will be the gas of the future. With OnStar communication included, this vehicle is far more practical and superior than any imported cars ranging 30 to 50k. By buying domestic cars, youll also help our economy and put our people back to work.

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  Great cart so far - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bret - March 24 - 1:46 pm

  So far no problems, car runs great. Getting about 25 MPG average which is a lot better than the truck I traded in.

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  Very Happy - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Donna - March 24 - 8:03 am

  We havent owned the ca a month yet, but we are very happy with all aspects of it. We are very happy with the comfort of the car. We love the back seat. We got one that folds down and has small storage areas in it. The pull up seats are a real saver on the seats. The trunk is huge too. We love it and are very happy so far with our purchase. We got one that will run on E85.

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  Great Looks, Great Engine, Poor Mileage - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By 4Wheeler - March 24 - 2:00 am

  So far, So good. Just got the truck this week. Love the looks, puts my 2002 Blazer to shame. Handles great and love the loads of space. Would be a bit happier is the 3rd row seats folded all the way down.

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  Beautiful machine - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MT boy - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Good looking car with plenty of creature comforts and power. This site says it lacks power, but I doubt it. It accelerates better than my Lexus. Has a nice quiet ride with adequate road feel and nice sounding pipes on acceleration. You can really punch it!

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  Denises Impala - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By smileydw - March 24 - 2:00 am

  love this car. . . .

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  I love my Trailblazer! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ocon06 - March 24 - 2:00 am

  I thoroughly enjoy this SUV. It is wonderful.