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 - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By lynn - February 26 - 5:23 pm

  This has been a great car with excellent fuel economy. It has the 3.4 V6. I get about 32 MPG on the highway which is very good for a full sized car. Its the leader in its class for fuel economy. It gives you a very comfortable, quiet, smooth ride. This car has never been back to the shop for anything other then oil changes. I would highly recommend this vehicle. I have talked to others that have owned Impalas and they have all had nothing but praise for the vehicle. It was priced much cheaper than the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord and I felt a much better value after I did my comparison test drives. All I can say is dont sell yourself short by not trying one. Its been a great car.

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  A Dream Come True - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Talal A. - February 26 - 4:40 pm

  I waited 15 years to buy a corvette. I think it was fate so i could wait for this amazing brand new C6 Corvette. This is the best car out on the streets. I almost slept in the car on the first day out. I just couldnt stay away. Thank you GM. this is a car for the ages. Dont touch this car. David Hill and Co. did a great job. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

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  Everything in one great package - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ford stinks - February 26 - 1:24 pm

  After 46,000 miles I still love this car. As comfy as a luxury car with more bells and whistles than most. Towing my boat I sometimes forget its even back there! If you need space for kids, dogs, or just stuff this is the truck 4 you. Not to mention the saftey of having your family in a veritable tank. We will always buy Chevy from now on.

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  america strikesback - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By vindog - February 26 - 10:00 am

  gm is on the upside with there latest models. With models like eqinox,malibu,silverado,colorado,and tahoe,things are going to get nasty in the ever growing car industry . And america needs to lead by example, or its going to get really ugtly in the next few years. Alot of american jobs are at stake lets not lose them to mexico or any other country

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  This is a great truck! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Patrick Moore - February 26 - 12:19 am

  I love my Colorado LS. It has plenty of power. It has good looks, and a nicely designed interior that is comfortable. It has nice options including traction control, compass, thermometer, sliding back glass, power windows, auto darkening rearview, fog lights, 3.5 liter engine, 6 cd changer, and a good trim package. It gets good fuel mileage. The pricing was right too. To me there is just no other truck that compares. I get exited just thinking about driving it to work. I just love driving it!

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  The best one yet. - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By the dean - February 25 - 8:29 pm

  The car is now 18 months old and the performance is better than ever. I drive long distances and the car is wonderfully comfortable. I can drive 800 miles a day and still feel relaxed at the end of the day. This is my 4th Corvette and it is clearly the best one ever. For the price, it has no equal.

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  1996 Collector Corvette - 1996 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Joe St. Romain - February 25 - 9:28 am

  Ive bought this Vette new in 1996, and drive it about 6000 exciting miles per year. It is bullet proof sound. I never worry about it leaving me. Other than oil changes, the ONLY maint. on it was 1 set of brake pads, 2 sets of tires, 1 water pump, and 2 batteries. This is a VERY reliable car that can be driven hard if you want to.

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  A real toy - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Chris - February 24 - 4:47 pm

  Excellant sports car for the money. It turns lots of heads when we go out cruising. A real sharp body and performance package. This is our 4th Vette since we bought our first one in 1999. Would highly recommend this beauty to anyone wanting a great looking high performance sports car

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  Luxurious Four Wheel Drive - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By LAURAINZER - February 24 - 2:00 am

  After seeing the Avalanche I had to do some research to find out if it was as good as it looked. After research I went to test drive it...all it took was to drive it around the parking lot and I bought it!! This is the most unique, most reliable, most fun vehicle ever. Only in America would you find Luxury, Leather, 4 Wheel Drive, SUV/Truck that drives more smoothly than most cars! I have driven this vehicle in snow, mud, on road, and off...it drove so well and incredibly smooth. It simply feels like you are riding in a Limo with the power to go anywhere in any weather. Everything about it is incredible.

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  "THE CAR" - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Robert E - February 24 - 2:00 am

  THERE HAS BEEN NONE OTHER CAR TO MATCH "THE CORVET." The covet is a class of its own rite and makes many copy-cats, but they fall short. The only other car that I would compare the "VET" was my porche 944/928. However, the "Prowler is really an eye stopper, makes my heart skip a beat. The "VET" has the speed, stability, STYLE and many wanting eyes craving it. When you drive up in a Corvet people take notice and have to say something to you or give you the thums up.