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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  2008 Black Coupe - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Howard Clem - November 29 - 1:07 pm

  I have owned Vettes starting with 67, 76, 95, 99 and now a 2008. All were coupes with the exception of the 67 that was a vert. I use to say that the best build quality was the 67 until I purchased the 1999 and the most aggressive looking body style and bay far the best bass sound from the bose stereo was the 95. However, the 2008 coupe is by far the best overall corvette I have ever owned. My 99 was a great car with the z51 handling package but I picked up my 2008 and drove it 800 miles in 2 days and it hands down has the best ride and driver seat comfort. GM continues to impove on the American Icon each generation and I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to own one.

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  Best US sports car you can buy - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By greg - November 28 - 7:08 pm

  For the money, the Corvette is a nearly impecible sports car. The car is extremely fun to drive. Ive had the car for 6 months and dont regret it at all. The only American vehicle to make forbes recent top vehicle list, it ties for first with the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG. I believe it deserves this title. You will probaly never use the speed but its extremely fun to have. The quality and speed could be compared to that of the Porshe, Maserati, and maybe a Ferrari. All in all if you are thinking of buying a corvette, stop thinking and start doing.

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  3rd Impala - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dave - November 28 - 10:26 am

  I have owned three Impalas ranging from 2001 to 2006. Still own all three. I am very pleased with the new 2006 model. Comfortable ride, good gas mileage, very nice interior and exterior improvements. Test drove several cars, still came back to the Impala for overall value.

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  Great New Car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By justin06 - November 27 - 10:46 pm

  Ive owned my Cobalt for almost three months now and I am highly satisfied with it. It is leaps and bounds better than my previous car, a 2004 Dodge Neon. Its a sporty coupe, which is exactly what I wanted. Even with all the extra features ordered, it only came to 17K. While shopping, it was between the Cobalt or the new, 2006 Civic, and I chose the Cobalt because it included more options at a lower price. To receive the same with the Civic, I would have had to purchase the highest-end model. All in all, my Cobalt coupe has been a pleasure to own.

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  Great Car - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Larry Marquez - November 27 - 6:21 pm

  Most of the people that I know including mechanics love this car. Now I know why. Its a joy to drive. I dislike the new European styling so this is the car for me. GM has a winner in this SUV. Recently found out the the small Hummer uses the same chasis.

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  My 99 Convertable Rocks! - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Toddrick Futter - November 27 - 5:36 pm

  I have had my car now for over a year and I drive it every day. I wrote a review when I first aquired the vehicle and rated it at about 8.6 or something like that. I was wrong. My Camaro is darn near a 10 in almost every area. This car has been very dependable and reliable, I put at least 100 miles on the car per day, 5 days out of the week, it has never let me down. I simply keep up on the regular maintance schedule, put gas in it and it keeps on going. The things that were "drawbacks" for me at first have become non-issues now that I am used to my car. I love my 99 Camaro, I never tire of driving it!

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  One Toten Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jamie @ VISTA - November 27 - 3:10 pm

  I use my Tahoe to pull my 5,000 lb. race rig, with a Porsche on it. This vehicle is comfortable, reliable and well thought out for towing and general driving. Whether driving up hill in the mountains of PA on the floor at 4500 RPM, or crusing down the interstates of Florida at 80...this is one great vehicle. This "new version" of the Tahoe/Suburban line is so much better than my 2006 Z-71 Tahoe...and I love it. This opinion is written by a "car guy"...I race Porsches and own a company fleet of 20+ vehicles...I know about reliability and build quality... GM has done it

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  2005 Corvette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jim Hamilton - November 27 - 1:20 am

  This is our 3rd new Vette and is by far the best yet. Not only is it the most fun to drive but gets great mileage (34/Imp. gal). I disagree with those who compare it poorly with the 911 which I rate v. highly. Not only is it as fast but it is much more easily maintained, as far as being as much fun, Id say it is more fun than the 911(its sometimes a bit of work) but perhaps a bit behind the Boxster. I rate interior design as good but the C6 has badly needed the new "leather wrapped" trim of the 08, since it was introduced. Now if they can just upgrade the seats for 09 ! Id rate the build quality up to at least an "8-8.5" for 08,comparable to the 911. Ours is still rattle-free !

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  Awsome Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By Travis Hendew - November 26 - 10:00 am

  I like my truck.

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  Boxster to vette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By nunzio - November 26 - 10:00 am

  Had a boxster only thing I can say is WOW!!! Comfort is so muxh better. Boxster rear window was a pain to clean. I love porsche but am very impressed with vette. totally fun cars but I must say i enjory the vette better.