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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  The new family car - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ChrisThe SpaceCowboy - April 2 - 9:06 pm

  My family recentley bout a white diamond edition LTZ Tahoe 2wd. The vehicle is excellent its luxurious but we still can tow our boat with it! The navigation system and power tailgate make for easy loading and directions. The OnStar system is also handy. My mom already got locked out, and they opened our doors right up. The car has some Escalade bling to it as well. The 20" rims accent the metallic white diamond paint well. The chrome grille makes the truck look more powerful. And it gets fairly good mpg for a full size truck as well!

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  I love this car - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Tom Spellman - April 2 - 8:16 am

  I bought the car in January of 2005. Great ride, runs great, and the gas milage is very good. I live in Nebraska so winters with snow are common place. Car gets around great in snow with front wheel drive. The only problem I had with the Monte is the multi-function switch had to be replaced. Luckly I bought the extened warranty as this was a 600.00 part. I put the car into storage with 53,000 miles on it. She will be worth some money some day.

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  Fun car - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By doug - April 2 - 5:16 am

  Im 59 years old and this is not my first new car but it is the best car I have ever purchased. Much more fun to drive then I expected. Its quick,quiet and smooth.

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  A true workhorse. - 2008 Chevrolet Express
  By Ed - April 2 - 3:06 am

  This is my second Express van. I have the 12 passenger van, just the right size. The 08 has been given many up grades over older models. The seats can easily be removed, and you can almost put your whole house in there. My previous Express van was trouble free. My 08 came with no defects, so a good start.

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  Love my Car! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Linda - April 2 - 12:42 am

  I love it. I looked at new cars for two years and I really enjoy this car. I purchased victory red, leather interior sunroof. I could not ask for anything more and the estimated mpg is better than the sticker. I am getting 28 city 37 highway and the warranty is wonderful. I suggest this car to anyone. Very sporty sexy. So far so good!

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  Great Truck Good Performance - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By ShadowKyo - April 1 - 11:42 pm

  I got the Chevy Colorado because I was tired of driving small cars. I am glad I did, I enjoy the fact that I am higher off the ground great visibility. Interior is top notch compared to some of the other trucks I looked at, very modern. Has the looks of a bigger Silverado without the pain at the pump. Also the automatic is smooth and after driving nothing but manuals for the last few years, its nice to not be jerked around. Only complaints I have are the keyless entry doesnt work aall the time the first time and the engine fan is incredibly loud when its engaged.

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  Great vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By scott in ct - April 1 - 10:09 pm

  I have owned my TrailBlazer for a few months now and have had no problems to this day. The vehicle is great on trips and in the snow. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  My very first car, and boy am I happy wiith it! - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jesus - April 1 - 6:57 am

  I bought this car for $850 from some shady dude. I was skeptical since its my first time buying a car but I think I got a pretty good deal! Car has 208k miles on it and it runs like a champ. Ive owned it for around 6 months now, drive it everyday for work. Gas mileage is amazing, 15 bucks fills the tank and it lasts around a week and half! It handles beautifully and its pretty fast too. It currently has only 2 issues, the gas gauge went bad and it needs the passenger side engine mount replaced, but its nothing serious or that cant be fixed. I truly recommend this car if youre looking for your first car.

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  Well Folks youre right. - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By DDstorm - March 31 - 6:58 pm

  As I have read in these post and now the proud owner of an 08 coupe, all I can say is folks youre right. I only have 400 miles on it to date and that was 2 days worth on the road. From the beginning this vehicle has been nothing but a hit. Quick acceleration, fine curvy features, great paint, comfortable ride, hud. If your in the market for one. Please do yourself a favor. Buy.

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  Try it you wiill like it - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By WOW - March 31 - 2:47 pm

  I purchased my vehicle in 2006, at that time it had 74000 miles and I have had it for about one and a half years. I have had to replace the throttle body, but overall, it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. It is spacious,the dvd keep the passengers occupied, second row captain chairs are very comfortable and the third roow seating, really can seat adults. If you havent noticed I have the LT model and I did not think American vehicle had it in them, but I tell you if you are looking for space, this is it. try it you will like it,convince my cousin to buy one and hes lovin it.