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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  In my opinion! - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By 1bad+s-10! - February 8 - 7:44 pm

  I dont know what most people think of the S-10 but I wouldnt trade mine for anything. I love this truck, dont get me wrong they do have some minor problems like, lack of room, the seats are a bit uncomfortable, and its not to smooth of a ride either but the looks are incredible. The 4.3 vortec that came in mine can hold its own against any stock v8 I have encountered but a Chevy 350 swap is amazing in this small truck.

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  Awesome beginner drivers car - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By mattfischel - February 8 - 5:50 pm

  This is a good great car for beginning drivers. A little tough to parallel park. Its a great car in the snow, also fun to drive in the snow on a with no traffic.

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  Time To Buy - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Doug - February 8 - 2:56 pm

  My wife and I just purchase this vehicle. I need to tell you that this is one of the best models that Chevy has come up with in a long time. We were looking at the Tahoe and found that it didnt fit the needs of a family. I highly recommend that if you are looking for a mini-van and a SUV buy this vehicle. It is very powerful and loaded with extras. Opt for the leather and DVD.

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  No Problems At All. Knock On Wood. - 2005 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Scaldy Dog - February 8 - 10:27 am

  My ZR2 has been great. Besides changing the oil, putting gas in it, and washing it, Ive never spent a dime in repairs. It is reliable to cut through the worst of Minnesota winters that Ive traveled through in the last 4 years. Its now Feb 2009 and I only have 1 payment left and Im going to keep this truck for years to come. There is nothing like it now on the market in comparison. I havent even put new brakes on, (I drive mostly highway miles). So wish me luck as Ive had good fortune with this truck. Hey Chevy! Start building them, or something close to ZR2s soon!

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  Duramax Desiel - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Dustin Frieler - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Love all of the power that the duramax has and the comfort of Leather

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  03 SS - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By rmcswain - February 8 - 10:00 am

  The best all-round truck on the road. Great looks and styling, plenty of power and AWD to boot. More features than I have ever seen on a truck. Fit and finish is excellent. Low profile, 20 inch tires and wheels, monochromatic paint give this SS a mystique unmatched by most vehicles. Gas mileage is very good for this type truck.

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  Awesome Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By andrew - February 8 - 2:06 am

  Great ride, very quiet, OnStar is great. I love this truck. The mileage is as estimated by GM and that is great for such a truck.

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  Pretty Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Daniel - February 7 - 10:11 pm

  The LS build was certainly a fun car to drive. Obviously its not a sport, so performance is not its focus. The LS is built tight with pretty good suspension. Despite the size of the engine, acceleration was adequate. The interior is clean and easy to follow with no confusion among the cluster gauges. The only thing I regret when I owned the car was that I opted for the basic model. Id strongly recommend upgrading to a higher model with automatic features, because it certainly improves the convenience. The fact that ABS is not standard is disconcerting. Ive not owned it a long time, so the Chevrolet rapport is disconcerting. Not too sure if this car will last like a Toyota.

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  Equinox LTZ Experience - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Bill - February 7 - 9:30 pm

  This vehicle is fun to drive and is quite comfortable. Has decent power and handling. Love the colour (Granite Gray Metallic), yet the interior tends to be somewhat spartan (typical chevy, although I see the 2010 model improves dramatically upon that). Turning radius is too large, and the usual issue with the cup holders is a hindrance and they are also somewhat flimsy. Back seat a model of versatility, as it moves 8" fore and aft to accommodate either passengers or cargo. I do like the height of the rear liftgate, although shorter persons may find it tough to reach. Overall a fine vehicle - and the AWD feature works well in Chicago area winters. Upgraded Pioneer stereo is rad!

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  Chevey beats Dodge counterpart - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By ThomasWilson - February 7 - 9:23 pm

  We bought this truck to replace our 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 & there is NO comparison - the Chevy wins hands down! We had desiels on both trucks - the Chevey is much smoother & quieter