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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  Fantastic SUV - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Shane - June 5 - 11:12 am

  I went from a 07 Rendevouz to a 08 Tahoe this past January. That was the best move ever. I now have room for 3 kids + 5 more adults to sit comfortably. Chevy has outdone themselves with the nice exterior look and comfortable ride.

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  Love my "Burban" - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Gordy Toomey - June 5 - 6:29 am

  Handles and rides like any good luxury car. Heated seats are great in the winter. Very comfortable and roomy . I wouldnt drive anything but an SUV or a four door pickup.

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  Happy with my Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Love the Tahoe! - June 4 - 10:50 pm

  I love this Tahoe. I went from a Toyota Camry to this in April 06. I thought that the Tahoe would be a gas hog but I was wrong. I only use about $60-80 more a month ( due to a lot of city driving but the comfort and safety is worth it). My insurance was only $30 more a year and it rides so much smoother then the Camry. I would not trade it in for anything. I have two kids and they love it! So much room for them and their friends. We just got the LS and it has everything that we need for our family. I could not ask for more for the price.

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  2005 Impala LS - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Elliott Viera - June 4 - 2:36 pm

  My 05 Impala is a joy to drive. The 3800 series engine responds effectively and without hesitation. The Goodyear tires are terrible. I will purchase Michelins next time. The interior is very quiet with no rattles. It handles extremely well considering the size of the car. I have had 5 adults in the car with no complaints about leg room or hip room. The interior is spacious and very well laid out.

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  Cobalt sport coupe - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Bumble bee - June 4 - 12:22 pm

  I love my Cobalt sport coupe. I fell in love with it the day I saw it at the dealership I was working in. Its a quick little beast, Ive had Civics trying to match up and I leave them looking at my rear end. Its a nice spoty vehicle with good gas mileage and comfty smooth ride. I have the short shift 5 speed, and its an awesome machine to drive. I highly recomend it.

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  2004 colorado 4wd ls ext cab z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By james schrader - June 4 - 10:00 am

  I had a chevy s-10 for about three years it was a 2001 that i traded in on my colorado. I had it about 6- weeks now, and I just love it it looks great and it feels much BIGGER THEN MY S-10. I just wish i bought the crew cab and not the ext cab , but i still love my truck .. my ext cab has the vortec 3500 220hp 15 engine in it . I cant fint it on the chart above.is this a 3.5l 5cyl 4a? thank you jim schrader

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  Awesome! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By BreakerN5 - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Great little truck. i have the sport (zq8) extended cab 4 door 3.5L. the 220 horses makes it move pretty nicely. very roomy interior and much cooler looking than the S-10s

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  Worthy Replacement for my DeVille - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Rich - June 4 - 9:43 am

  Have had this car for only about 3 weeks now, but the longer I drive it the better I like it. Good ride, comfortable, quiet. Quite peppy with the 3.9V6, yet getting about 22 MPG city and 32 highway. I traded in a 2000 DeVille, and this car is a very worthy replacement for a fraction of the price.

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  This car is so fun to drive - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By SEXYmans19 - June 3 - 4:12 pm

  When I bought this car Ive had no real common problems. But a lot of people have giving me a lot of compliments on the car. The gas mileage is great. I had 36.5 mpg before I accidently reset it.

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  First Impressions - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Chad - June 3 - 2:49 pm

  I researched many new cars before deciding on the HHR. My wife and I test drove five cars (Dodge Avenger, Dodge Charger, Subaru Legacy, and a Chevy Malibu) and looked at four or five others. Although we almost bought the Malibu we both agreed the HHR would be more practical for us (we have three kids and the Malibu had a small trunk). Ive only been driving it for a week, but so far I couldnt be happier. We bought the 2LT with every option. The standard equipment looked a bit unfinished. The leather interior really made the difference for me. Its strange but this is the first time I have liked a car more after I bought it than before. I dont know what else to say. It just fits.