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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  Take it to the MAX - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By terribleindy - December 22 - 7:50 am

  Purchased my MAX last week which is not even listed as a choice to make a review. Absolutely insane to drive. Never have felt more power in a Chevy since the Typhoon days. Interior is of highest quality regardless of what anyone says. Ford and Dodge owners will be very jealous and the Japanese cannot touch them. The Max roars with power and probably wont even need an exhaust system as it already sounds great. Looking forward to my bed managent system but my dealer has yet to receive any accessories from the factory yet.

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  Lovin The New SUV - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By RogerGayla - December 21 - 7:46 pm

  We traded in a 07 Trailblazer on our new 10 Equinox and are loving it. My favorite feature is the MPG, double that of the Trailblazer. For a sub $25k vehicle the Equinox comes with a host of features and is easy on the eyes. Great value in todays over inflated car prices.

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  Very compitent vehicle all around - 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV
  By nmikmik - December 21 - 12:09 pm

  I am driving this car for almost two moths now and only got a bit over 1000 miles on it because I do have another vehicle(s) to drive when I have to be concerned with range. I belong to one of the electric vehicle forums and pretty much everyone there, describes their relationship to this car in one word - Love! I have researched all electric cars available on the market at the moment and this one was a hands down winner for me. So far my expected range of miles to be driven keeps increasing, this morning it said that I have 103 miles to drive, so in my opinion the rating of 82 miles of range is very conservative, unless you a lead footed. My June power bill went up $38 v last years.

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  Great Basic Transport - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Ol Reliable - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new in 5/99, and have had NO problems with it at all. The only items Ive had to replace after 65000 miles are the tires, and the pads on the front disc brakes. This car is not a performance vehicle, but rather a reliable, comfortable car for every day travel or long distance trips.

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  What a great truck! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By XTOAK - December 21 - 2:00 am

  What a great truck! Thi sthing is very comfortable for everyone in my family and has a ton of power. The 6.0L is a real monster that hauls and tows! The ride is fantastic as its a 2500 and not a 2500HD...I test drove both but found the HD version to have a harsher ride. Interior is excellent with no problems and have found nothing wrong with the truck so far.

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  Excellent Work Horse!!! - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By 6stringrevolver - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Overall, the best truck Ive ever owned or driven. It tows and hauls awesome. The ride is great! Seats 5 adults comfortable with the option of a 6th. Tough truck with a strong drive train!! I highly recommend it for anyone who is towing a trailer and needs to pack the family or a bunch of friends!! Very reliable and the electronic sensors make it so a dummy could maintain it!

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  great car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By brian luschen - December 21 - 2:00 am

  powerful and fun to drive

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  THE BEST - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By CHARLENE K. BEATON - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I REALLY LOVE MY NEW AVALANCHE..IT IS THE BEST TRUCK CHEVY MAKES ..BY FAR

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  I LOVE IT - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By donwill - December 21 - 2:00 am

  over the 45 years of driving i have owned all of GM name plates. I cant think of any that i have not purchased. the chevrolet avalanche has surpased all of my former trucks in just about every way. the first thing i noticed was the handeling,its also fun to drive. this truck gets alot of looks and people stop me many times and ask how i like this new look. The number one thing is that my wife drove it on a test drive and loved it as did my black labrador. once you drive a avalanche you will be hooked....

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  2004 z71 Avalanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Ciralli - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 2002 Z71 and loved it. purshased the 2004 due to my experience with past Avalanche. Chevrolet has done a wonderful job with this truck. Can not think of anything they have forgotten. However the book says I was to receive headphones for rear and am having a problen with dealer,they say does not come with mine. Why is it written in booklet if not true. I do have the bucket seats. Whats up with this? I got so many options think they would stick to their word.