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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  Best Vette Ive ever owned - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Lonna - March 24 - 12:26 pm

  This is my 3rd, I had a 93, 04 and now this 05. The comfort in this car has been greatly improved, not to mention horse power and overall handling. The new exhaust system have a perfect, deep sound to it, and I appreciate the fact they went back to having the 6sp manual as standard.

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  2005 Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Richard Ruby - March 24 - 3:33 am

  I believe that this vehicle is the best fit in the complex world of SUVs. It is stylish, economical and good looking. The power steering is great.

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  Economy plus great handling - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tao - March 23 - 10:46 am

  After almost 3 years with this car, I am very pleased with it. I enjoy the handling and the zippy V-6, which gets over 30 mpg on the highway. It is chock-full of features, such as side- curtain airbags, all of which were much more expensive on import competitors.

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  What a truck! - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By J. Wit - March 22 - 11:22 am

  This has been a great family vehicle. We love it. We use it to travel the east coast for vacations, fishing, hunting, sports, etc. It is great in all road conditions. On the beach (sand of N.C. OBX) or in the snow of VA it goes. Tow a trailer for working in the yard. It pulls it smothly. Would by another in a minute.

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  Uplader Quality Automobile - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Robert - March 22 - 8:28 am

  This is one great vehicle. This Suv/Mini Van has all the features you want in an automobile. Extremely quite ride, interior quality with that Mercedes like feel and looks. I could not be more impressed with this vehicle. Plus, dealership was as nice as I have ever had deal with. A 10 all the way.

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  Comfort fo Handicap (Avalanche) - 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Paulie - March 22 - 7:38 am

  I could not believe how comfortable this vehicle was. Ive had several hip replacements done and I must say the comfort and handling is the best Ive had.

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  Best step down from a full size - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By tonkatruk - March 22 - 6:54 am

  After driving a full size truck for many years I was skeptical at first if I would like this truck. By now I have enough time in the saddle to say I havent given up much at all. The engine is smooth and powerful enough for my needs and the extended cab is great for family trips and taking friends out. I get lots of comments from people who like the trucks looks and it draws many inquiries as to my satisfaction with it. Needless to say, I give big smiles to a nicely packaged vehicle priced reasonably. If your looking to haul a 5000 pound trailer Id have to point you in the direction of a full size as the I-5 doesnt have that much pulling power, but as a Lowes hauler it is more than enough

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  Wonderful Car - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Wonderfull Car - March 22 - 6:37 am

  I have had over thirty new cars. This is the best I have every had. It not only is a pretty car it is fun to drive. I knew we were going to buy it the minute my wife drove it. We are both in late 60s. Of course we have always loved performance cars so I thought I would like the GTO. I traded the 04 GTO on the Corvette. Cant believe how much better quiality is in the Corvette. This is our first Vette and cant understand why it took us so long to try one.

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  Just as it was. - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bill G - March 21 - 11:49 pm

  This is the first car I have bought that feels like a real car, since 1976. This is a great car for the money, smooth, great ride. All the good stuff. Plenty of space. I drove from PA to FL. No problem. If you need a big car this one you have to look into. Get the 3.8 v6 or if you so need the v-8 is fast and will take you back to when cars were cars. It is a great car

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Joe - March 21 - 9:44 pm

  I stopped buying Chevys a few years ago.. Decided to give them another chance. I love the TrailBlazer! A great vehicle at a great price. Cant go wrong! More comfortable and faster than my Grand Cherokee Lerado. (4.0L) The ride is near perfect, not like a Cadillac but not as stiff as a pick-up. Just right for an SUV! Now my wife wants one.. The EXT for the third row seats for the kids... Ill trade that minivan for another Trailblazer in a minute!