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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  2002 Camaro Convertible - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By camaro02 - December 30 - 12:32 am

  Excellent reliability. I have had this car for almost five years and have spent $0 on repairs, outside of normal maintenance. Gas mileage is great, given the current price of gas. Unique enough that I typically do not see another like it going down the road. Handling is excellent. I drive the car year round and have driven in a foot of snow with no problem (My sons Mazda 626 got stuck!)

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  Fun for Trip - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By KMarrero - December 29 - 11:13 am

  We first saw the car at the LA Auto Show. Both my husband and I loved it! We both automatically agreed on the Lazer Blue Metallic as this is a very unusual color. We drove it over Easter weekend up to Northern California and were very impressed with its long distance fuel economy and its very smooth ride. We get a lot of stares because of the color, but we dont mind. We enjoy the car and our son thinks this SUV "Rocks".

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  Surprised and very happy - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Matt - December 29 - 9:54 am

  I wanted a convertible. I looked at the Sebring, SAAB, some Toyota (I forgot what) and the Mustang. Of all the cars I checked, the Mustang impressed me the most but was not the same fun car as my 67. One cold snowy winter day I saw an 01 Camaro on the used car lot. I took it for a ride and never bought a car so fast. Buying a used high performance convertible is not the safest buy. I bought the extended warranty realizing I was buying a car that may have been previously purchased for speed. It has been great. Did not need the extended warranty. Love the car. I hate to drive it in the winter because it is so attractive. I never want anything to hurt its appearance. Love it a lot

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  The Real Deal - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By BIG BOSS - December 29 - 9:20 am

  Man, all Ive got to say about this truck is that its the best bang for your buck. I gave up a tricked out 03 BMW 330 to hop in this big body truck. The things you can do to it are endless. There is so much room inside. Theres room for all the screens you want to put in it, and if you build a custom box for your subs and still keep the 3rd row. Plenty of ride height, 22s 24s 26s whatever you want. I would never go back to small cars again. If anything Ill upgrade in 2 years and knock off the new Escalade, cause its just sick. If youre thinking about getting the new 07 Tahoe, all Ive got to say is go for it.

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  2005 Z71 - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By natstd - December 29 - 8:30 am

  Im very pleased with my truck. Its well built and has fair to good gas mileage for a four wheel drive.

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  LT3 loaded - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Shay Dunn - December 28 - 7:53 pm

  We bought this LT3... we did spray the bedliner. This has been as great truck. I have never had any trouble.. put it in 4x4 and it trucks right out of our 1/2 mile drive up hill... Leather still looks new 3 years later. carpet is good and held up well. my husband is really tall.. and I am short.. the drive 1 and 2 has been wonderful. Looking forward to moving up to the 2500

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  Fun to drive - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By johnpak - December 28 - 10:53 am

  I drove from Philadephia to Harrisburg on the PA turnpike with little traffic early Saturday morning. I stayed at gear M6 most of the way with cruise on at 70 mph (must be alert and careful all the time on cruise). When passing other slower vehicles just press - to shift to M5 and got up to 80 easily. The ride was smooth and fun.

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  08 Corvette Coupe - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Tim - December 28 - 7:40 am

  Ordered a 08 coupe back in October. Arrived at the dealer on 12/11/07. Took delivery on 12/12/07. Just completed the 500 mile break-in. Love the improvement in the steering. Better on center feel. Love the NPP exhaust. Finally the C6 sounds like a sports car. Nice deep/throaty sound. Best new feature is the LS3 v8 engine. 436 hp and sooooo silky smooth! Glad I made the upgrade from a 05 C6 coupe. Love it when other drivers pull up along side me at a traffic light and give me that "Geez I wish I had your car" look. "Americas Sports Car" is awesome for 2008!

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  2005 Cobalt LS Coupe - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By JC - December 28 - 12:00 am

  So far my Cobalt has been great. I have the LS Coupe (5spd) with sport package. I have not had any problems at all. Gas mileage is ok; I get about 30-31hgwy, 23-24 City. Performance is pretty good; more standard power then civic or corolla. Ride is comfortable; very quiet also takes rough roads well. If your a fan of driving stick, like me, youll enjoy how this car shifts. Its smooth and not boxy like other cars. Im very happy thus far, other just missing the emlpoyee discount.

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  2006 Daily Driver - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By R Deacon - December 26 - 9:42 pm

  Great quality and fun to drive. Had the car since we drove it off the lot into the 100 degree + days in Arizona. It has been thought a second summer as a daily driver in the dust and heat with no problems. Still has original run flat tires on at 24,000 miles. Paint has resisted scratching and chipping and it still looks new. All of the electronics work flawlessly (heads-up- display, navigation, bose sound, programable personal settings, etc). Great car!