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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  Excellent Value - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By LordDash - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I purchased an SS model Impala (when I was actually only looking to buy an LS) when i realized the dealership I was at had over $7000 in rebates. I had never test driven the SS, so when I took it for a spin, I loved the performance and the handling. It is lightning quick, and quite agile for a large sedan.

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  Chevy tahoe 2004 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jutyty - July 17 - 10:00 am

  What a great car!! Best suv we have owned yet.

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  just getting started - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ticked Off - July 17 - 10:00 am

  800 miles on the truck and since I pulled out of the dealer had a grind in the front end (left) when turning the wheel. Diagnosed as a bad strut left side. They ordered the set (both) because its new and there are other bad struts. One other order on a different truck that is on back order for weeks now along with mine. I have been waiting since the order was placed the day I bought the truck 6/26. The interior is too light and water stains easy but besides the strut and the entire front defroster venting system needing to be taken apart and tightened by the dealer(which did the job right thank god!) the truck is fantastic. I love it in the dark silver AWD .

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  my review - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By jpride - July 17 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun suv to drive. We have had more compliments on our ne Equinox than any new car we have purchased in many years.

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  Good quality Pickup - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mrbear - July 17 - 10:00 am

  It is a great overall pickup.I have driven the Fords,and i personaly think they are cheaper built than all of them,the metal makes me think of a beer can.The dodge is a ok,except the rear seats and legroom are less than the chevys.So i had to buy the Z71 crew cab and love everything about it,and also it gets 21 mpg on the highway!!

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  monte - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By matt101 - July 17 - 7:13 am

  This car is awsome.

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  Expectations exceeded - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mike - July 16 - 1:05 pm

  We researched mid size sports utes extensively. This seemed the best combination of interior room, price, fule economy and towing capacity for our needs. Fuel economy has been a plesant suprise (23 mpg overall, 27+ highway). It tows our 2100 lb boat well. Seats are comfortable and roomy. It rides and handles well. We dont think you can beat it for the price.

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  Love it almost - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By terrye - July 16 - 12:14 am

  Love this vehicle in everyway except have had numerous problems with transmission. Would recommend this vehicle but Chevy needs to improve the transmission design.

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  Great car - 2001 Chevrolet Lumina
  By linda howell - July 15 - 1:25 pm

  The Lumina has been a very dependable car. We have gotten about 38 miles per gallon on trips from NYS to North Carolina. This is better than our 2005 Toyota Camry. It is roomy and comfortable.

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  2005 that has given me no problems - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Debis - July 14 - 9:31 pm

  My daughter and I fell in love with the Colorado crew cab on first sight and I have not been disappointed. We drove it home the same day we laid eyes on it. Did the recall on the brake lights and dealt with the ac switch but I have had no other problems. It is a perfect size for me and my big yellow dog that thinks the truck belongs to him. Gas mileage is much better when I pay attention to my speed.