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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  Equinox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By joseph - September 14 - 1:20 am

  I am very pleased with the comfort snd handling of this vehicle. Also the gas mileage for an SUV type vehicle is moderately good. There is plenty of space to load cargo in the back seeing that the back seat reclines and moves foward. A lot of leg room for rear passengers

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  03 Tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Shirley D. - September 12 - 10:03 am

  While not the most gas efficient, considering the size, I still get an average of 17 mpg. I love it, its comfortable, reliable and safe. Outside of the general oil changes, tire rotations and one recent brake job and a/c repair, I have not had to do anything to it but drive and enjoy it. Recommend to anyone. Good quality vehicle. Bought used in 03 with 35,000 miles, I now have over 119,000 on it and it is still going strong, looks and runs like new! Hope to keep it a few more years!

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  My Chevy - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By chic - September 11 - 11:16 am

  All in all ownership has been all that I expected and more. Gas mileage is better than I expected. Power is good for a 4 cylinder

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  Will Love A Vette.. - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bill Zee - September 11 - 3:36 am

  You will love it..........I DID............

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  Neighbors thought I had a BMW - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By gunga2 - September 10 - 3:42 pm

  My husband and I love this car. We just cant quit smiling when we drive it. It is quiet. It also rides extremely smooth. It is perfect. It is an LTZ 6 cylinder. Driving home from the dealership we got 27 on the highway. It is roomy. Love the radio. The neighbors thought I had purchased a BMW. Best of all my sister is jealous.

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  Like it, Love it? - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chevybilt - September 10 - 1:50 pm

  Best truck I have ever owned! Biggest guts for a 6cyl. I have driven! Only flaw is hates snow! This truck would get stuck in flurries. Does great in rain and corners like a bike, almost. But snow is not our friend we are finding out!

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  Dream Car - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Sharen - September 10 - 1:36 pm

  I could not be happier with this truck. When first considering a new car I wanted a Trailblazer, but my husband talked me into the Equinox. I am so grateful that he did. It turned out to be my dream car. Unfortunately My 16 year old daughter flipped my Equinox, totaling it this weekend and walked away with sore muscles. The interior of the vehicle stayed completly intact. The only evidence of the accident inside the truck were the deployed air bags. I am currently looking for another one. I would recommend this vehicle to everyone.

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  08 White Diamond Avalanche LTZ - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By americanjan - September 10 - 11:36 am

  I love this truck--and yes, Im a girl! I just bought my Avalanche after months of looking around and comparing other SUVs and trucks. Overall, I really liked the Avalanches versatility as an SUV/truck combo. I must say, though, that Chevrolets use of the White Diamond exterior paint is what put me over the top. This truck is absolutely gorgeous--the cashmere leather interior and the 20" chrome wheels & chrome accents really make this truck a showgirl! If you are looking to purchase an Avalanche, I suggest you spring for the LTZ package. You wont be sorry you did. All the extra features are really nice and make the whole driving experience enjoyable.

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  Chevy girl - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Chevy girl - September 9 - 10:04 pm

  I love my Chevy Malibu. I thought at first it would drive boring. But this car is impressive. I was hit the first week I had it from behind. The car did not even dent, but I still had the bumper and the underneath frame straightened. Great gas mileage. Can be sporty depends on the model. I feel that its a great car to pass down to my teenage daughter.

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  love it - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By aj starr - September 9 - 2:00 am

  for the money you cant beat it, had one before and rang up 180,000 miles and not much trouble at all.