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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  Sweet Ride - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dot&Ron - November 28 - 10:00 am

  This was a demo with 6000 miles on it . car is loaded with about everything except compass and outside temp. Was considering a Intrepide ,but when I sew the Impala LS I was very impressed . Its a beautiful car ,lots of room , fun to drive . Take a close look at this car . It is impressive.

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  good suv - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By joe540ci - November 28 - 10:00 am

  drove it to vegas with mobil 1 oil and only 1000 mi on it from new..got 18.2 to 15.0 mpg on various tank fulls. handled mountains way better than our mini vans ever could

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  NOne - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By yoohoo - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle since I purchased it. It has been all electrical and has been in the shop more than 5 times in a year and a half@!!!

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  chevy silerado 1500 5.3 LT - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Thom - November 28 - 9:23 am

  a tough truck - 16-17 mpg ongoing, problems : brakes abs system repeatedly , Poor design causes the abs to light up on the dash which so far has always beed associated with the wheel hubs area. Many owners Ive talked with have had same problem. these brakes will fail. brake pads have to be modified when installed new - if not - theyll wear unevenly . design problem again . brake shops aware of this . other wise a great truck

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  My "E" - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Daniel Fix - November 28 - 3:30 am

  My Equinox was bought after looking at other vehicles for a few months. I went and picked up a brochure from the dealer. I was impressed from the first look. Then I went to the biggest dealer in my area they had the vehicle I wanted so I traded two Fords for it. I love it. The gas mileage is the only thing that is wanting but it is getting there the more miles I drive it.

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  Suspension - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By wayne - November 28 - 2:52 am

  The vehicle was purchased in 07 with only 15k. .I drove it through the winter and summer without problem. Possibly ran 5k.In the fall of the year I was on a dirt trail, rough road for the weekend trip. Afterwards I had to replace the front ball joints as they had been worn. Also all four shocks were leaking fluid and I replaced those also. The original shocks are not much more than a piece of plastic covering a cylinder My neighbor had just purchased a new Colorado, 4 cylinder,two wheel drive (2009)and his shocks are the same as what I had. I have a 4x4 what is up with that? The factory shocks and front end parts are garbage.I replaced with after market .So much for Mr.Goodwrench

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  Fine Suburban Hauler - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Matthew - November 28 - 1:03 am

  The Equinox is a good fit for our famiily of three and a dog. The interior is useful, comfortable and roomy. The wind noise around the A pillars is the only unwelcome noise at speed. The engine and transmission work well together to move through commuter traffic. It also pulls well in hilly terrain. The adaptive transmission works well in the mountains. I often find myself cruising at 80 mph on the interstates. Get ready to fill up the gas tank often though. It is too small for the poor fuel mileage the car gets. The sandstone exterior color is attractive. Still getting used to the handling. It falls over in corners, but then sticks fairly well, with a bit of understeer.

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  The most uncomfortable car - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Kim - November 27 - 10:36 pm

  This is the most uncomfortable auto I have ever owned or ridden in. The head rests are at a foreward angle, and there is very little cushion in the seats. My children even complain about them! Gas mileage is very poor. We are VERY disappointed. Will be the only car we get rid of within the first 6 months to a year. We normally keep cars for 6 to 8 years. The sound system is awful. My $10 clock radio has better sound.

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  GM is Back in Business - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By George - November 27 - 9:27 pm

  I picked up a 2009 Impala as a long term rental while awaiting delivery of my new 2010 Toyota. After the first 2 months of driving this car, I have to admit that I will miss it and even have wished I had considered this before ordering the Toyota. I have owned several GMs over the years 60s - 90s. My last a 1995 Grand Prix convince me never to own another. However, this Impala has changed my mind. This is a lower end rental unit and I would have ordered a higher optioned model. My only minor complaint is the outside mirrors, they are small and triangular and NOT heated. This is the first car I have owned in years not to have heated mirrors. This should be standard.

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  Is this a Japanese car? - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Cindy - November 27 - 4:20 pm

  I have only owned this car for about a week and a half and I love it already. It is the tightest car Ive ever driven and its fun to drive. I just love the xm radio. I bought the base car and it feels more expensive than it is. Im so proud of the car. I wanted a sports car, like a Camaro, as I love GM cars. This car is more economical, but fun to drive in a different way. Fit and finish has come a long way since I bought my 2003 Impala.GM is really going in the right direction. My friends who just bought the Toyota Camry were upset when they found out how much car I got for my money and how great the car rides.