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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  New Ride - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Newride - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Its a great truck for getting back and forth to work and doing the small things around the house.

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  Best Darn SUV Ever Owned - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Stan Owens - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Have owned the new Chevy Equinox for almost a week now. Love everything about it. I have been a pickup man for quite a few years. When picking out a new pickup to replace my older one the Equinox caught my eye. I immediately asked to drive it, fell in love with the vehicle from the getgo. Love all the features about it, very roomy for a midsize SUV, comfortable to drive. The new 5-speed automatic transmission works great, very nice shifting. It has very little road noise. The 3.4 V- 6 is more than enough engine for the vehicle. Cant wait to take it on vacation next month. I know it will make the driving comfortable.

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  THE AMAZING EQUINOX - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jonela - December 17 - 10:00 am

  There is nothing about this car that I would not describe as absolutely excellent.

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  Superb Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Lindsey - December 17 - 4:13 am

  This car is awesome. The primary reason for purchase was for handling in the snow. It is the cheapest AWD available. It also has a very nice body style. I got the premium sound system, it is great!

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  Good Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jeffrey - December 15 - 3:36 pm

  Keep your foot out of it or it can get expensive fuel wise. but over all it holds up well.

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  Excellent - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By 2006 Cobalt LS 4 dr - December 15 - 12:10 pm

  Overall performance is great and gas mileage was a lot better on highway. I got better than 32 miles per gallon. I also thought the shape of the car was dynamic and it resembles other high end cars of the market, which makes this car affordable, but stylish. Recommended to young people.

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  Great Car....almost - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Chandra - December 14 - 11:10 am

  I was a die hard fan of Japanese cars. And after working at GM, my guilt took over and I bought this car. Its been a month, and I drove about 1500 miles on the car, and I dont regret my decision. The car runs real smooth on the freeway with minimal noise. It has a feel of luxury sedans inside - quite roomy. If flying on the freeway is not what you intend, you wont regret owning this car.

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  Cobalt looks and feels like a champ - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Steven - December 14 - 10:50 am

  Compared to the Dodge Neon and the Focus I would give it a higher rating. The engine noise is not that loud to freak you out and the Focus does get more gas mileage but to my opinion I think the Focus is to little for me and the Cobalt feels more comfortable. The dash and controls dont feel like theyre all bunched up into one little dsp

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  Amazing SUV! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Narg - December 14 - 5:06 am

  This SUV is an eye opener for what it delivers to its driver. Ive purchased driven a number of GM products over the past 18 years, and love how the quality and features that GM provides has grown continueally during that time. Yes, they used to be bad 20 years ago. But today, wow! Do not miss out on trying a Traverse before you buy anything. Even the dealership experience was the best Ive ever had too. Im moving from a full size pickup to this mid-sized SUV. Originally planned to buy a Tahoe, but the economy has downsized my buying ability slightly. Thank goodness GM made this SUV, it fits perfectly!

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  1995 Z-28 Convertible - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By James - December 13 - 8:26 pm

  Ive had my red 95 Z28 convertible for 12 years. What a fun and satisfying car. Great power, drag beats a Mustang every time (in top speed too probably, but at 155 mph predicted, I dont try it), comfortable interior, perfect air flow protection around driver & passenger with the top down at 90 mph. The Z28 seems a rare car with very few convertible Z28s made. Timeless body design often mistaken for a new model. 26mph gas mileage on highway. I havent found a better replacement for the money, exclusiveness, looks, and fun. How did Mustang ever get high ratings over the beautiful Z28? It just made Camaro Z28 that more exclusive. No plans to sell it yet. Can the new 2009 Camaro be better?