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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  Awesome C6 - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jerry Drisaldi - May 29 - 11:06 am

  Ive been a Corvette fan for years. I bought my first convertible in 2002. The C5 was a great car, but with issues. GM has done a fantastic job cleaning up the issues: fit and finish, interior design and quality, technology are all vastly improved. I was concerned about the decision to shortten the car by 5 inches and narrow it by 1 inche, but it was the right decision. Car car "feels" beeter now as a result. The exeterior design was also vastly improved: the car looks great. I think its the best value for a performance sports car, literally, in the world.

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  RED RIDER - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By raider - May 29 - 8:14 am

  I bought this from a person who had it from when it was new. Never had any major problems and now I have it and it rides great and is good in the snow.For me this Suv runs like a champ plenty of power.

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  MY 2003 MONTE CARLO SS - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By SPENCER - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY MONTE CARLO SS, MY CAR BEFORE IT WAS AN 01 CAMARO SS, BUT IM VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE POWER MY MONTE CARLO HAS EVEN THOUGH ITS A V6. MINE IS BLACK ON BLACK, AND I HAD THE WINDOWS TINTED WHICH MADE IT LOOK AWESOME.I HAVE PUT 18 INCH CHROME RIMS ON IT AND A CATBACK FLOWMASTER EXHAUST SYSTEM ALSO. I HAVE TO ADMIT THOUGH THAT IT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE PARTS FOR MY CAR, BUT OTHER THEN THAT I GIVE IT AN A+

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  Just got my "BU" Love it - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Becky L - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Like my new Malibu.

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  My Monte - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By John Damond - May 29 - 2:00 am

  This car gives you a sports car feel with comfort and luxury. Great vehicle at its price range.

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  Amazing - 2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By wallen - May 29 - 12:14 am

  I have had my tb SS for about 4 months now and am loving every moment. I was a little skeptical at first b/c the SS has been out for almost 4 years now and hasnt had all the new GM updates, but the engine makes it well worth it. The symphonic sound of the engine when the car is floored is just amazing. Fuel economy stinks, but hey, dont buy the car if that is what you are looking for. Also great because you get all the power, and the space. And not to mention, its an eye catcher. 20" really make the car. They really pop on the dark red. If you want the vehicle, find one and buy it b/c they are discontinued after this year

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  Good Value Especially When Used - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Stape - May 28 - 9:49 pm

  This SUV is quiet and comfortable. The front bucket seats are soft and very comfortable. GM improved the engine design over the years and my 04 has port fuel injection which helps the throttle response and mileage. Power is adequate. The 4 speed auto tranny is well proven being developed in 1997. It has electronic control. I added a tranny oil cooler to extend life. The car has good visibility. I am impressed with the under carriage fiber glass covers, which will be useful for keeping snow off critical parts although they will not offer the protection of steel components. The Billstein shocks are outstanding! Front brakes with ceramic pads and dual piston nice with ABS! Average stereo. Buy!!

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  THOUSANDS less than a Camry - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By The dude - May 28 - 9:29 pm

  Having looked at hundreds of reviews and test driven at least a dozen different used sedans,I settled on the Impala. Why? Power. The Impala LT has 211 horsepower, the equivalent Camry only 155. The difference on the road is not slight. Nor is the price. The 2007 Camry I was looking at was going for 19,000, The Impala for 14. It was no contest. I tried a Honda Accord and the seats nearly destroyed my back just in a test drive. Way too hard as was the price. The Impala is a light, very quick sedan with bucketloads of power. The transmission wants to clunk out of first gear unless you hit the gas. This is a car that WANTS to be driven quick. A light, excellent handling, powerful sedan.

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  Great car - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By George Palm - May 28 - 5:27 pm

  The Equinox fits my lifestyle perfectly right now. Its very easy to drive and park. It has plenty of room for people or gear. Tows my boat or trailer. Has great traction with the AWD. I love it.

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  Will NEVER own another - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By custard-goddess - May 28 - 5:27 pm

  Before I had a 2001 Chevy Cavalier, that had reached 225,000 miles. I thought that the Cobalt would be comparable to the Cavalier boy was I wrong. I love the style of the car very cute inside and out. The features are amazing XM, MP3 jack, remote start, but the quality leaves much to be desired. I have had to fix so much on it in two years broken tail light after two weeks of ownership, squeaky sunroof, loose seat fabric, breaks and rotors replaced(only after 15,000 mi),left control arm, radio buttons stopped working, and BOTH remotes to my car are broken.