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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  Rethink it...... Nothing But Problems - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By @msn.com - February 22 - 8:25 pm

  I was somewhat apprehensive to purchase the vehicle, because it looked cheap on the inside. I should of followed my gut. Nothing but problems. Stereo never worked had it serviced 3 or 4 times, something with the wiring, automatic doors worked when they wanted to, keyless entry was anything but keyless, tires bad, new ones every time you turn around. Back windshield wiper motor went out. Yes I bought this new. Would not recommend to anyone. Major lemon.

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  Practical Coupe - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By jctuning - February 22 - 6:11 pm

  Very practical. Large trunk, has great fuel economy. Sat in the back for 200 miles down to South Dakota and it was very comfortable. Wish I had the leather seat option though. Front wheel drive is great in the winter. Throw on some Conti Pro Contacts and I can go through 9 inches of snow with no problems on the unplowed roads. I do all my own matinence since I work at a shop which helps keep my costs down.

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  Horrible, horrible vehicle - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By me2000 - February 22 - 4:38 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with this car. The water pump went out, the head gasket is currently leaking so I have to keep putting coolant in ($10 per bottle adds up!), continuously having to replace the brakes every year, electrical problems. I have stalled three times because of this crappy car. Its rusting beneath the gas cap. Overheats all the time. I cant even put the AC on or itll overheat. Do not buy this car. Its a money pit. Im getting a new car in two weeks because I cannot take it anymore. I absolutely dread going into this car every time I drive it. You dont know whats going to happen next! You fix one thing and another thing breaks!

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  Not New but Still Beautiful - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Alan Rither - February 22 - 11:27 am

  Got a great deal on this beautiful vehicle at Tom Denschel Ford in Prosser Washington. Only 140,000 miles. Great condition and nice folks who sold it to me. No hassle at a fraction of what a new Suburban would cost and its still got another 100,000 miles left in her. Shopping for quality and comfort rather than status pays off big time.

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  Not enough room!! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Sytek5 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  We bought this vehicle when we found out that we were expecting our third child. We thought with the third row seat we would have plenty of room inside, Wrong! With all the kids in car seats and then having to take the stroller for the baby, we are unable to get anything else in the back of the car. We like the way it drives and I think it is comfortable. It may look like a station wagon, but it lacks the cargo space inside. Also it is very hard to buckle up the child in the third row, the way that the floor is (knee killer).

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  Smooth ride - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By mystc - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I have spent more time driving, taking family vacations, long and short vacations since I purchased my Trailblazer. Its the best ride for a 4x4 the options and interior design make it even better. Everything is at your fingertips, with lots of interior space. I feel safe driving it with my children. Test drive one, you will take it home!

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  Aveo - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By teasels - February 22 - 10:00 am

  We bought the 4 speed Automatic pulls great in the high hills and handles great not a cramped feeling and I am a big man 250lbs + highly recomended

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  the little BEEP-BEEP is great - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By fmonte - February 22 - 10:00 am

  for a small car this thing moves. with all the bells and wistles it was the best purchase ive made car wise in a long time. people ask me what it is and are impressed. tarted it out a little with tinted windows and window rain guards, this black beauty is something else.

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  Red Corvette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By g. Holloway - February 22 - 10:00 am

  My corvette is the best car I have owned. I am 51 and have owned a number of high performace cars and trucks. Corvette gives you the best of all qualities you want in a car. It handles and performs like a true race car, but has the ammenities that yu want in a car that is priced over 50grand. The torch red convertible is a eye-catcher every where you go. gh

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  good truck - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By franly said - February 22 - 10:00 am

  This is the best big suv. None of the fancyness of the Range Rover or others, but it has that rugged American feel. The ride is good for a vehicle like this.