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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  Good Looks, Nice Power - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By reggie - March 17 - 3:20 am

  Ive enjoyed the car so far, but the red and black interior will take a while to getused to. This is my second manual trans. and compared to my 94 Camaro the Cobalt is a little harder to pull out in first gear.

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  Great but... - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By RW - March 17 - 2:14 am

  I love the look of this SUV. Pros: love the heated seats, sunroof, stereo, tons of leg room in the front and the back. Cons: the 4 wheel drive is horrible. Not enough traction. The seats are not deep enough. I feel like Im going to slide off every time I brake (and no... Im not a big person).

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  2002 Avalanche Review - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dueeas - March 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this one used, but Im happy with it. It has some air noise that I dont like, but the ride and performance is great. I havent had it for a year yet, so Im still learning.

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  4x4 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ken - March 15 - 2:16 pm

  All in all it is a good truck. Have trouble with speedometer and tach gauges. Company does not stand behind product and will not fix. Also trouble with front 4x4, having trouble fixing, speakers dont work then they work

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  Opps We Made A Mistake - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Salchow - March 15 - 10:00 am

  Lots of Power, great acceleration, good turning. Have not used 4x4 yet. GM should provide compass on all the TrailBlazer mirrors, not just LT. Rear area is large, spare tire is under second seat. Mats are useless. Paint chipped in first week. Drivers side mirror on visor HAS NO COVER ON IT. Be careful, it is disorienting. Have contacted GM twice and dealer, no help. Have never seen a car with the mirror uncovered whether foreign or domestic. Is a safety hazard.

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  Aero Engineers Review - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By AZDesert - March 15 - 4:03 am

  After one month I am extremely pleased with the LTZ model. Power lift gate has been a pleasure when hands are full with stuff.

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  Awesome, but not for the faint of heart - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Skyszr - March 13 - 2:54 pm

  Great car, awesome performance for the engine. If you can handle the V8 its good in wet weather. If not, dont dog it. I recommend getting drilled slotted rotors, and ceramic brakes. I put almost 90,000 miles on them, and I do hot rod my car. Gas mileage is good, interior is not a wow factor, but its nice. Has a lot of potential for mods, cosmetic, and perfomance If youre looking for a fast fun sharp car, this is the car to drive.

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  Mixed feelings - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Sherry - March 12 - 9:44 pm

  My husband and I purchased our nox in 2006. I have about 29,000 miles. I love the look and style of the truck. It has awesome pick-up and handling. Not poor in the snow but could be better. I had the signal switch burn out after a year and a half. Biggest issue is hesitation with starting. Ive had to give it gas on occassion. My truck is currently being serviced for this problem. Other than that I love my truck and hope the problem is resolved after this being the 5th attempt. OK on gas, I only use Sunoco.

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  Best used car purchse to date - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By TEEGEE - March 11 - 10:00 am

  The Chevy Monte Carlo was by far the most comfortable, quietest and best handling car of the cars I tested. The interior is well equiped, (it could use another cup holder and a place for sun glasses) the leather supple, the instrument cluster easy to see. The steering is tight and has a well defined feeling to it. The ride is quieter than the Toyota. Acceleration is a bit on the slow side from zero to sixty. The transaxle shifts very smoothly; the ride is soft not spongy. Rear headroom is limited to those over six-feet tall. The fold down rear seating is a nice feature. Of the used cars I have owned this is the best.

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  2004 vs 2000 - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By spotts - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I have purchased 2 SS Montes and while I have loved them both, I need to ask why GM cheapened it in 2004. I did a favor for my inlaws and passed along my 2000 SS with only 31000 and ordered my 2004 expecting it to be identical, boy was I surprised. GM removed the gear selection from the console, took out the glove box light, did away with the coin holder, and took off the "Monte Carlo" emblems from the side. And what is up with all of the mirrors being black except on the yellow paint. I love my SS, but I cant believe that GM removed some of the "nice to have" items to gain a few bucks, shame on you.