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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  I LOVE THIS TRUCK! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By nineseas - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I drive to work and look over the traffic. I can see a backup in time to take an exit. The Personal Driving electronics is a great help to stay off the gas, but the power is there when needed! God Love American V-8s! When I get to work I want to go drive somewhere for lunch. I can drive my friends now that I have 4 doors. My S-10 wouldnt let me take the gang. My 12 yr old son loves to climb up into the truck and then as we drive, he can look over the guradrail into the countryside. My neighbor has an older Chevy diesel and you could hear the pride as he talked about HIS Chevy and 150000 miles already. Im a Chevy Man, man!

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  Milwaukee Silverado - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ness5575 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  The truck has been great. No major problems, great engine, very comfortable to ride in. A few squeeks and rattles after 72k, but nothing too bad. I bought an extended warranty and have yet to use it since the factory 3/36 ran out!

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  Love This Car! - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By LoveThisCar! - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I do a lot of heavy driving and have already racked up a lot of miles since purchased. It is very comfortable and has lots of room, and more than enough power. It is very quiet and steers perfectly straight, and has not had any problems or issues. The gas mileage has been incredible, ranging from around 30 to 35mpg (in hard winter driving). I also love the 5 star safety rating. I have been so impressed with this car that I bought a second one for my wife. I pity the poor fools that think they have to drive cramped Japanese econo-boxes to get great gas mileage!

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  Im glad I gave it a chance! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Emily96 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I always wanted the smaller model SUV Blazer but when the Trailblazer came out, it was more of the size I wanted. I knew what the gas mileage was, but wanted a 4x4 and not a front wheel drive car, we already had a 4x4 Chevy truck, so wanted something other than a car. Excellent Choice, would do it again.

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  Great vehicle - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By lap - January 13 - 2:59 pm

  So far, I love my Equinox! Its sporty and fun to drive. I can take the grandkids and all their stuff to their sporting events and yet I am comfortable driving it to a high profile meeting.

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  Critique - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By J. Pritchett - January 13 - 12:00 pm

  Equinox has good styling but limited visibility when driving due to back seat headrests. Has long turning ratio, which is not good. Noticable when parking. No glove box light, cannot see in at night. Cowls have more vinyl covering the interior, dash and door panels.

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  High Smileage Red Hauler - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By BK Culbertson - January 13 - 1:03 am

  This is a great truck! I traded out of luxury cars to trucks and never looked back. Mileage is very good, comfort on long trips is excellent, hauling ability is terrific, and Colorados fun to drive!! I looked at Toyotas(high price, low value), Dodge(felt like tin, too hard to drive), ford(your grandpas truck, sluggish and sloppy), Nissan(all sizzle, no meat). Chevy built an absolute winner with the Colorado and GMC with the Canyon. As soon as I got mine, 2 friends bought em! Get one!

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  is okay to drive - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By m.diaz - January 12 - 11:40 pm

  Fun, very easy to park, excellent to drive on extreme weather. The only thing that the designer has to improve is the windshield area, when it snows you get a lot of acumulation there, you actually have to stop and clean the snow to continue driving safely.

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  Was a Great Car! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jan L. - January 12 - 11:20 am

  My 2007 HHR was super reliable, and a fun car to drive. Acceleration whenever you want it, nice cruising along the highway. It never broke down. When one dark night a large buck deer jumped into the road and collided with my car, the crumple zone took all the impact, and I walked away without any injury. I would purchase another in a minute. Great car.

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Suzanne - January 12 - 8:55 am

  My 02 Z66 is hands down the best vehicle I have ever owned. Room for kids, lumber, landscaping stuff. It stands out in the crowd with great lines and top shelf reliability. I have never had to put this vehicle in the shop! Its got 106k miles on it and I fully intend to drive it until it just wont go another mile. No, I will replace what ever breaks and give it to my soon to be 16 yr old. I love this truck.