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:

• 

  Excellent Car - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By FD - April 23 - 10:39 am

  Perfect car for commuting and everyday driving. Roomy, quiet, and comfortable. Good acceleration with 4- sp auto. Hondas and Toyotas are way overrated!

• 

  Geezer Sport - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Nancy - April 23 - 10:16 am

  A comfortable, easy car to get in and out of, with an engine that beats most other cars off the starting line. OnStar is nice, and the satellite radio is wonderful. The ease of controls being on the steering wheel is great. It fits tall and short people. The styling is retro and it has the hints of Monte Carlos in the 70s.

• 

  Company car worth owning - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Vetdoc - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I ordered the Chevy Impala as my company car at work. I have always been a fan of GM cars. My Impala is safe, comfortable, big and roomy with great visibility and beautiful. White exterior with grey inside. ABS

• 

  the perfect suv - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By salsa - April 23 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is perfect from the body style to the performance, its the perfect car. as for comfort, it seats 5 extremely comfortable. Chevy has designed the 2005 CAR OF THE YEAR. IF chevy needs someone for a commerical, just ask.

• 

  GREAT.. cant wait to get mine! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By NewEquinoxOwner - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Ive been in the market for a midsize SUV for quite awhile. Looked at the Escape, SanteFe, CRV, and on and on and on. Once I test drove the Equinox, I was done. The best value, options and style for the price range over EVERYTHING else out there. Ive been waiting 6 weeks for mine to come in and pick it up tomorrow. Cant wait!!! Cant recommend a better SUV out there. The features are top notch and it is classy looking inside and out. Best of all .. rides more like a car than a truck.

• 

  What else compares? - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 2infiniti - April 22 - 1:33 pm

  Commuting to and from work I get 21 MPG and 30+@ 75 MPH in 6th gear. This magnetic red car is a head turner. Cheaper than a Subaru WRX or a Mitsu Lancer and it doesn’t look like a shopping cart! I put Michelin Pilot AS run-flats and the traction improved dramatically over the GY Eagles and noise dropped. For $25k this is a deal. Too bad when car mags do car comparisons they don’t compare what was a $48k new Vette now worth $22-$25 to the new stuff you can buy! The Vette would win hands down. When I get rid of it, it will be for a 2008 used with 3LT auto and 436 hp. Until then I would rather have it than any other car. As a car connoisseur I highly recommend the C-5!

• 

  Paddle shifter - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By David Gordon - April 21 - 4:14 pm

  This car is fantastic. This is our second Corvette and we like them so much we kept our 2001 for me and this one is hers. I am ussually a M-6 guy but this A-6 is plenty quick. The paddle shifters are way too slow and if you pull down instead of up you will overrev the engine quick. I think they are worthless and should have just left the selecter on the floor. We bought the crystle red metalic vette and it is georgous.

• 

  Best Car Ever! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Tonya - April 21 - 10:58 am

  I bought this car with 7 miles on it in 2002. Since then I have pretty much driven the heck out of it. Had a rear light replaced and emissions sticker put on as far as the recall, but the only major thing Ive replaced was the fuel pump. Im pretty hard on cars, so of course Ive had general maintenance work, including brakes....and maybe a tire or 3. This car gets great gas mileage, even with the A/C on. I drive all over, so I needed something economical. This makes my 3rd Cavalier. Previously I owned a 1988 and 1994, both were great cars. I will drive this car til it falls apart, since GM discontinued it. This car has been the very best. Plus, its completely paid off!

• 

  Love this Car - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By mrc - April 21 - 12:03 am

  The Impala SS is a solid fun to drive car. Fit and trim are excellent. I love the power and DOD as well. I miss my Trans Am but this car is much more comfortable and practical. It sounds great. All the neighbors had to come see it. Compares favorably against the imports...regards

• 

  Lotsa bang for my buck so far! - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Alex - April 20 - 11:24 pm

  After a $5K rebate, took mine home for $23,655 before fees and taxes. Mine came with the 2LT trim w/Z71 off road pkg. So far, no mechanical problems, but wish it was available with a 5 or 6 spd. manual tranny. Am not really sure either why the editor(s) panned it so much. Friend of mine bought a Nissan Frontier and if were comparing interior fit and finish alone, Id say they are the same.