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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  great car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By p. therapist - November 15 - 10:00 am

  interior so quiet when under way. 3.4L engine so smooth at idle sounds like its off, and gas milage is terrific. so many standard features its amazing.and i only have the base model!ride is smooth,i have to say that build quality is excellent. no squeaks everything fits nice and tight. paint job is excellent.you can hardly feel the trans. shift.for a little over 16000 dollars i got a lot of car for the money. g.m. is building great cars. and its roomy with a big big trunk.

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  THE BEST CAR EVER - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By TERA - November 15 - 10:00 am

  If you are looking into getting an SUV, this is the one to get. Im not kidding. No other car that i have ever been in, in my whole life can even compare to my Tahoe.

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  lsdjal;kf - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Josh Fredette - November 15 - 10:00 am

  this vehicle has been my dream for at least 10 years i used to own an old 1979 chevy truck that lasted a long time and it would still be going today if i hadnt junked it but this truck is my best truck i used to have i used to have a toyota and this truck is alot better than this and it will always be better rest in piece

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  A good choice car to buy or lease - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Norman - November 14 - 11:10 pm

  I have been leasing a Chevy Monte Carlo for 8 years. I have yet to have had any trouble with the car. The only service I have to do is to change the oil. What better car can there be then this car?

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  Very Impressed - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By GaVette - November 14 - 10:50 pm

  Just purchased a pre-owned 2006 Equinox with 12000 miles on odometer. Love the styling, cargo carrying capacity, seat flexibility and comfort, all of the bells and whistles, and quietness of the interior and comfortable ride

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  Awesome Car! - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By David - November 14 - 8:54 pm

  I love Chevy, The Impala is an awesome car, and extremely reliable. Never have any problems with mine. I put a lot of miles on it, and it still has the power and comfort.

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  The Best Ride on the Road - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ronald Holstein - November 14 - 11:06 am

  This is the first truck we have purchased in twenty years. The ride and comfort is incredible. The support the seats give my back allows me to drive without discomfort. We would like to add that prior to purchasing this vehicle we rented Ford, Chevy, Dodge Ram, 2 wheel and four wheel drives, before making a decision. Our choice is obvious as to load carrying, ride comfort, and gas mileage. Chevrolet is the only vehicle that offers OnStar. My suggestion to anyone that that is about to purchase a vehicle go to Enterprise Rentals they have 2 wheel and 4 wheel new trucks. Rent each one drive at least 600 miles then put a 1500 pound load on each vehicle & see for yourself before you buy.

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  Suburban - Theres no substitute - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By avusblue - November 13 - 9:42 pm

  A big upgrade! The new body style has four main areas of significant improvement: Interior quality: New interior is night and day improvement. Appearance, design, fit and finish, and quality and touch of the materials are all vastly better. Quietness: While the previous vehicle was quiet, now it is absolutely silent while cruising. But when you “step on it” hard, the V8 burble becomes audible and sounds great. Well done GM. Steering and handling: The new steering is noticeably more precise, “tight” and controllable. No wallow or float. The new Suburban drives like it’s half its size and weight. Brakes: Firmer pedal feel, more confident and effective braking.

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  New Owner - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Harold Profitt - November 12 - 11:46 pm

  I have been extremely pleased with this vehicle. The gas mileage has been a wonderful surprise. Im getting almost 25 mpg in the city and almost 37 mpg on the highway.

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  Another Impala - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Susan - November 12 - 1:06 pm

  I had my first Impala in 2003. Wow, What a stable ride, great manuevering, great acceleration, Great comfort. When I had to get a new car, (My lease was up) I test drove several other cars, but came back to the Impala. It is a tiger on the road and I feel safe!