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:

• 

  Love the Monte SS - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By cyanidekid - April 12 - 5:26 am

  Bought the car off craigslist through a private party without even hearing it run. It had 45,000 miles on it. I rented a car trailer from uhaul and drove 2 hrs to pick the car up. It is a (Competition Yellow) 2003 Limited Edition SS w/ the High Sport appearance package, fully loaded. The car now has 138,000 miles on it and it runs like a champ. I havent had to put any $$ into it besides regular maintenance and it gets excellent gas mileage for its size. Its big enough to fit 5 comfortably and the trunk is HUGE! The Monte Carlo is definitely sexy and demands attention on the roads, but its not a "race" car... unless you want to spend the extra $$ for the modifications.

• 

  Great Small Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Chevy/Isuzu Whatever - April 11 - 5:15 pm

  I leased this truck over a full size truck for the cost, better mileage and added space in the garage. It was a great choice as it has met every task given with a far less expense of the full size trucks. I have pulled trailers, hauled materials and even been off road a few times all the while satisfied with the purchase. Given gas prices I love being able to drive a truck and getting 18 mpg in the city. I wished I would have purshased the truck instead of leasing it. I definitely would have kept it.

• 

  The Best large SUV made - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By CJ - April 11 - 11:50 am

  I have had my Chevy suburban for nearly 9 years, I have thought of selling it for a newer SUV but it is so reliable and it handles great in all weather conditions, I just cant part with it. It can pull our boat or camper, take the baseball equiptment and players to the field, or pack our college student up for school. It also fits all my daughters comp. dance equiptment, and I can fit the full size garment rack in it, without taking it apart. I dont travel very far on normal weeks, so I only have to fill the gas tank every 3 weeks. Great family vehicle.

• 

  Sweet! - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Chris - April 11 - 11:04 am

  Just got my wife into the 2LT with the Sun & Entertainment package added in. Its basically an LTZ without the chrome and the heated rear seats. We got it black with cashmere (tan) interior. Its super sharp looking. The wife loves it. Our goal was to have our three kids fit across the 2nd row bench seat, leaving plenty of cargo room -- or room for other kids. Its no problem. The kids love the DVD, and the wife is loving the sweet Bose system with sat radio, nav, and the rear view cam. I cant wait to start trying the OnStar, and try towing my boat with it. This makes our old (loaded) Pacifica look pretty lame. If you need the full size SUV for the family, this ride is truly great.

• 

  As good as any Japanese car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By gilanna - April 10 - 11:03 pm

  Great handling, excellent acceleration,decent gas mileage averaging 25 combine city/hwy. Purchased new, now has 32k of maintenance free miles. Reliable, just a great car for the money.

• 

  Take care - 1995 Chevrolet Impala
  By low rider - April 10 - 9:41 pm

  I had been the proud owner of my 1995 Impala for 9 yrs. I loved every mile: the car was stealthy, and total luxury. Unfortunately, 1 1/2 yrs ago, while waiting on a red light, I was rear ended so hard that the frame bent and my neck was broken. If you are still lucky enough to own one of these classics, please look into better neck restraint. My car was totalled and I am lucky to be alive. Keep an eye out for th other guy. I wish I had my lowrider back, and my neck, stock, too. With better neck restraint, at least I would have walked away without a titanium plate and screws where my neck used to be.

• 

  Awesome Car! - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Erich - April 10 - 8:22 pm

  This is my second car and it is a great choice. There is enough room for 4 people to fit comfortably. A little small for the back seat if youre really tall but other than that lots of room back there. I like that it has a lot of good features standard on this years model.

• 

  Great Ride - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Susan in Alabama - April 10 - 5:40 pm

  I have been very pleased with this car and would highly recommend it to anyone. Oh yes and the get-up-and-go it has is very unexpected. Try one today and help keep Chevrolet going.

• 

  I love my Equinox - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Bill - April 10 - 2:38 pm

  Well I have only had the car about a week, but it is fun to drive and has great pickup. I have the sport which gives 265 hp or so. I do wish there was a automatic release for the rear hatch by either remote and or inside latch either way would be nice, otherwise I am very happy with it and hopefully will be for a long time.

• 

  Best Small Car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bob - April 10 - 10:41 am

  This is one fine small car. Interior comfort and quility is more than expected for a car that cost 8998 with air.The exterior is great to me. I love it.Now as to mileage going back and forth to work and driving around no highway I have gotten over 40 miles to a gallon. I do drive easy but still I think for the cost there is no comparision to other cars in class. This is by far better.I know others would not be better on mileage than this one I own. Best small car I have owned and I have owned Toyota, Honda, Ford, Masda. I think for price I paid and mileage I get this is the cheapest to own dont care how you compute it. Love this car.