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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  Love it! - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By thare - May 5 - 9:00 pm

  I traded in my 2003 Chevy TrailBlazer EXT for the Equinox. The best thing that I ever did.The gas mileage is wonderful. I only fill up once a week instead of twice a week. I travel 50 mile round trip for work and it has helped a lot due to the jacked up gas prices.

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  2008 Cobalt LT - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By spider - May 5 - 8:52 pm

  I really like the powerful engine and great performance. Interior of vehicle lacks some quality as far as comfort level goes but looks great.

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  Chevy Cruze 1LT - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By jpp_computers - May 5 - 6:31 pm

  This is an amazing car. I have only had the car for a day, but I wanted to put a review up. Off the gate this thing picks up speed quick with its turbo 1.4L engine. The handling is superb. recently test drove ford focus sel, kia forte ex, Ford Fiesta, and Honda Fit. Shopping for 3 weeks and 5 applications for loans I was approved for all of them. I am 23, low 600 credit score, with high 600 co signer whos my girlfriend. Chevy got it done with payments just over 330 for 72/mo. The 1LT do come nicely loaded. I will update this review when I have more valid points, but go test drive one of these cars you will be surprised how nice a ride it is.

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  Best American sports car ever made(so far) - 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  By jeffg13 - May 5 - 3:18 pm

  I have had various American muscle cars in my life and also currently own a cadillac ATS turbo 2.0 which is a great car. Like soem other reviewers have stated I always liked vettes but not enough to plunk down the cash for it. Luckily Im at the stage of my life where I cab finally afford a performance machine like the C7. This version is a serious performance machine. In order to get similar performance rfom an import you can easily spend 30-70K more than a well equipped C7. I bought a 2LT, Z51 convertible which i think is a great combo package for 70k. Best performance value on the market hands down and this car not only performs, feels and drives great but is also equally stunning looking

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  Chevys Best - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Larry Gehrs - May 5 - 12:30 pm

  I have a Tony Stewart special edition Monte Carlo 2005 ,supercharged, The car is very fast and the car is good handling. For the up most, the car is built strong and sturdy. Very well built and one of the best on the road

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  Great little truck - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Tom - May 4 - 9:31 am

  This is my first small truck and I am very pleased with it. Rides great, has a peppy engine that accelerates quickly. My friends Nissan small truck is not as good as this one. Forget what the editors say, this is a mighty fine truck. Bed liner should be included in the future. I have 6000 miles on it and had no problems. Gas mileage is better than indicated by 2-3 mpg.

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  No problems - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Greg LeValley - May 4 - 8:19 am

  My wife and I have owned several Chevys in the last 30 years and the 07 Impala is the best. We average 27 mpg and on the highway if we run around 65 mph can easily get 30 mpg. There have been zero quality problems and I believe that this car is the most "bang for the buck". I have been telling family, friends and strangers about this car. Wish I was selling them. Car sells itself.

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  High geared 2LT RS - 2015 Chevrolet Camaro
  By West Coast Cruiser - May 4 - 5:59 am

  You should know this car with the 6 cylinder is to be driven with careful aggression to provide the performance. It is very torquey and fast when shifted to lower gears and high RPM level. With space it will generally control its domain over other vehicles on the road and it steers and brakes very well. In traffic you need to take care with the blind spot being ferocious on 3-4 lane road 1 lane over. In slower heavy traffic the 6 cylinder tends to transition meekly in auto or too aggressively when downshifted with paddle and changing lanes (a steady medium is hard to find when passing slow vehicles that are typically geared better for commuting at rush hour). But all of that becomes your risk..... and once you learn this you can drive the Camaro V6 to its maximum and eat up the road. In regard to interiors. The 2LT RS with leather and heads up display, navigation, onstar, electric seats etc. is simply another car apart from the base camaro. The interior is absolutely awesome and has much room up front for large adults with legs (more than the average mid-size sedan) . It is a 2 adult car and the family dogs easily fit in back over a padded cover.

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  Tremendous Vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Gary Crowe - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Until you own and drive one of these beast, its hard to call a car that rides this good a beast, you will never understand why Corvette owners love their cars so dearly. You not only become a member of a brotherhood but you become part of an elite association of car owners that give back to their communities.

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  Chevrolet Impala is an exellent car. - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By FJackie21 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  We already have a 2001 Impala and love it. Our daughter took that car and my wife loved the 2001 so much we bought a 2004. It runs and rides great. Its very comfortable and has plenty of power. We havent had any problems out of our 2001. Its been very reliable. The 2004 seems to be on the same track. Great car!