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 fox - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By foxy315 - September 21 - 10:00 am

  just a lot fun to drive and for the quietness i recommend the lt over the z71

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  Drive it and youll believe in it - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Tahoe believer - September 21 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is very comfortable to drive and handles the road very well.It accelerates very quickly when needed or brakes just as well.It has a great list of options to choose from as well as a great list that is standard equiptment.When i drive the vehicle at reasonable acceleration i cant com- plain about the milage i get after all it is a heavy and very safe vehicle.

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  Great car, would like better gas mileage - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Staffer - September 21 - 7:06 am

  Overall, the car is great. I havent been getting great mpg though. Typically, I get 20-21 MPG, which isnt horrible but it isnt great either. The small SUV fits my needs and it is a fun drive.

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  Love of my life - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Rowen D. - September 21 - 1:13 am

  Bought with 48000 on it, has been a dream ever since. I was in a serious head on collision, 79.4% damaged. Neither I nor my passengers were injured but my insurance on the other hand was in the ICU. I had the car repaired simply because I love it too much. Couldnt be happier.

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  Fun car - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Darkboi13 - September 20 - 9:05 pm

  Ive had my HHR for over a year and still love it like the day I bought it. Its reliable, great gas mileage, and its fun to drive. I like the cargo net option and the fold down seats. Ive packed a lot of my belongings with the back seats down. The optional ipod jack is great as well for long drives.

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  Absolutely Unbeleiveable! - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By rb2 - September 20 - 5:59 pm

  This was the 2nd vehicle I have picked out myself. I covered the Southeast since 76 and have extensively driven over 24 different cars of which 18 were brand new, Ive never had one from any car co that can even approach the level my expectations were surpassed by this one! Everything works! Had to replace the carrying ability of my prior Taurus SW, I learned from a rental just how cavernous this monster trunk is. It held all my parts, tool and test equipment with much room to spare. My first road trip over 100 miles rated 32.5 mpg and rising. Wife slept 250 mi in quiet comfort from KY.

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  Like a Caddy only bigger! - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By shoerswife - September 20 - 12:58 pm

  I bought my Burb last October from my husbands sister. I previously drove a 96 Buick Roadmaster. The Buick got 30 mpg and the Burb gets 15-18. I had to get up off the road because I was tired of the other cars headlights in my eyes. I am 5-2". I now can see ahead of the cars in front of me to see whats happening in traffic. The comfort is great with the heated leather seats and in the winter, the pushbutton auto 4WD is great! This truck feels like a car and handles solid. No trouble yet with repairs and although it has 260,000km it still feels tight. Love the room and attention to the details for passengers in the back. Loved the Buick, but love this even more. Suburban forever!

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  SS review - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By wcslivik - September 19 - 6:02 pm

  Love the performance. It will beat just about any car on the road. Extermely nice to get in and out of traffic. I get so many comments about the ride. I am averaging 21 mpg, but I ramp on it a bit too. Im sure I could sqeeze 23 mpg average if I drive concervative. I love the mufflers, they arnt exactly flowmaster, but arent the stock Silverodo mufflers where you cant hear anything. Its perfect. The stereo is amazing. The only problem Ive had with it is the AC outlets lost power, but other than that its an amazing car.

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  Happy - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Happy - September 19 - 7:33 am

  This is an excellent vehicle. I use it to tow a boat and it does so with ease! it even tows in 4-cylinder mode! My fuel economy is great, I get 24-25 highway and 17 city. (the trick is not to accelerate quickly and try to keep under 3500 rpm) Interior fit and finish is a huge step for GM, though nothing compared to BMW, but still is an interior worth buying. The exterior is beautiful and visibility is improved greatly. It doesent feel as big as it is when driving. Overall, an excellent vehicle. Dont buy any oter SUV.

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  Sweet Chevy Ride - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By somnambulist - September 19 - 5:16 am

  Chevy has hit the mark with the Cobalt SS. Its a great bargain, with amazing acceleration, a great stick, and a pretty kicking speaker system.