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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  Shes got Legs! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Umpire - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Everyone looks, stares, waives dollars and wonders! This truck, in addition to being a sturdy, versitile vehicle which converts as easily as depicted on TV, is an attention grabber. The ride, comfort and performance have been superior. No maintenance problems whatsoever.

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  Impala LS - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Richard Stromberg - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Performance is excellent, Gas mileage execellent (24.5 MPG) Ride execellent

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  nice - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By shawn - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Comfort and power in an easy to drive package!

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  Going From Truck to Car - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Joe - December 24 - 9:43 pm

  Coming from a guy who is used to driving a Duramax it was a big step to get a mid-sized car. But this one is unreal. The Malibu is sporty to drive, yet has plenty of room for my family of 4. I drive 200 miles a day and average 29 miles per gallon at 75 mph with criuse and the 3.6L engine. The ride is excellent and quiet. The sound system rocks and with the onstar phone I can pay more attention to the driving. The only thing I can say needs improvement is the side to side leg room could be greater, but again I am used to driving a crew cab. Overall a great car. I think our company is making this one the standard.

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  08 Equinox LS 4dr - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By haley1000 - December 24 - 7:20 pm

  This is my first SUV. Coming from a Mustang GT boss to this is a like a different world It is very easy to drive and doesnt even feel like your driving a small SUV. Overall it is a decent ride for the price.

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  The longer I have it the more I like it! - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By BH - December 24 - 2:00 am

  When looking at the Cruze I was somewhat impressed. However; the longer I have it the more I am impressed. The car is great! The attributes I appreciate most are: low/no noise-very quiet, smooth driving, fun to drive and for the tall in size, it has more leg room than most large cars. This is one of the first cars I have owned that I have more leg room than needed. Great American built car - try it.

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  Great Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By rnd - December 24 - 2:00 am

  First off I will say I only buy GM vehicles. I bought this off lease loaded with every single option in good as new condition for just under $25k with 29k miles on it. I traded in my 2003 silverado for this one. This is hands down the nicest vehicle I have ever owned. Very comfortable and quiet ride , beautiful interior , pretty good gas mileage and tons of power from the 5.3 v8. The only problem I have is with the exterior design. While the truck looks great it is a little lower in the front which makes going through those snow banks a little difficult. I dont want to crack the plastic in the front. My 2003 had better ground clearance. Great truck for the money..

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  My 4.8 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By gto400 - December 23 - 6:56 am

  Can not say enough about this truck. Averaged 20 mpg for mix driving and 24 hwy. Disappointed that I had to trade it in for my 2006 GTO.

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  Good to go - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By joe1968 - December 23 - 1:34 am

  In five years the only maintenance I have had to do is front brakes, oil changes, new tires and battery and one rear light bulb. An amazing bargain. It is a four cylinder 5 speed. I used it in my sons restoration business. We have beat the hell out of this truck and it just keeps going.

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  Great work truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By mike3939 - December 22 - 6:43 pm

  This truck really pulls. My trailer is 34 and heavy. This truck will pull the load up hill and pass most anything on the road. The brace running up the rear wheel wells lacks class. 13 MPG or 10 MPG towing. The gas engine was considerably less expensive to buy, maintain, and unleaded is fuel is cheaper. Glad I choose a gas engine.