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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  My First Vette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jim Stevens - January 14 - 5:33 pm

  What a sweet ride! Fast,comfortable, a head turner, even in Belleair Beach among all the Porsches and Mercedes sport coupes. The C6 lives up to all its billing and then some. Great handling on long trips as well as around town.I have to drive it every day (maybe thats why I have almost 15000 miles on it since May 05). People come up to look at it everywhere I go. Even teenagers roll down their windows at stop lights to comment on what a beautiful car it is. I waited a long time for my first Corvette, but it was definitely worth the wait.

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  2005 C6 - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By tarmstro - January 14 - 1:03 pm

  This is a great car. Ive driven a lot of Porsches (still own a Boxster), M- Bs and BMWs and this car compares very favorably. Power is outstanding; particularly for the $. The car is just beautiful...chevy finally got it right!

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  great and fun ride - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jaymie - January 14 - 11:13 am

  I love it. It is roomy and fun it handles great!

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  So far, So good. - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By RJ - January 14 - 8:40 am

  I did a lot of homework and drove a lot of cars before purchasing my Malibu. I am very pleased so far with most everything. It doesnt ride or acclerate like my Caddy, but it is fun to drive, and I can afford to drive over the mountain without taking out a loan for fuel. I dont know what to expect over the long haul with the 6 speed, it does a lot of shifting, but I have 100 K to decide if I want to keep it. I spent more on it than I intended, but I couldnt find some features that I wanted on the LS. Overall, a nice American product.

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  Changed Opinion - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Changed - January 14 - 5:23 am

  After being a Ford man for the last 33 years I have finally given Chevy a try and I love this truck. The ride is very comfortable with a stability befitting a sports car. It is well appointed and the fit and finish is superb. The truck feels solid and exhibits little or no frame flex. I have found the engine to be strong with good power but still reasonable in gas mileage. The four wheel drive with the electronic transfer case works great and the truck has the ability to pull its way through snow and mush of Northern Montana without a problem. Winter travel has never felt safer than in this truck. After owning many trucks I rate this one at the top.

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  My Malibu - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Heather - January 13 - 8:29 pm

  Great Car!! The best car that I have owned. V6 is peppy and also gets good gas mileage. It is very comfortable.

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  Finally ... An SUV I Can Enjoy - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By pchamp - January 13 - 8:08 pm

  I have never owned a vehicle this large before, but it doesnt drive like a big truck. I find myself actually enjoying road trips with my family of 7.

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  Gas Mileage Superhero - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Ron Potter - January 13 - 6:17 pm

  From day one I averaged 50MPG or better. Driving is mixed city and highway, usually with no other passengers. On a trip from Ohio to Florida with two passengers plus driver and luggage, running between 75-80 interstate with air on we still averaged 49 MPG. I have saved enough on fuel expense over my Ford Crewcab Gas to pay for the car. I have always driven either Mercedes or BMWs for daily use and this was my first new American car in 15 years....wished I had tried them before.

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  I SIMPLY LOVE IT! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Gord T - January 13 - 4:46 pm

  This vehicle has everything I want in a car! Several people have commented on its looks and functionality. Fun to drive and rides beautifully on the highway. GM has produced a winner here. If they turn out a few more cars of this quality they should have no trouble surviving their tough times.

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  One of the few - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Bert - January 13 - 2:11 pm

  By far this is one of the few midsize SUVs that actually comes close to what it is supposed to do. The interior is actually roomy, I am 62" and I fit more comfortable in this truck than in my Silverado. I do have only one complaint, it is the weather strip for the rear passenger door that just wont stay in place. The sound system is actually pretty decent. The combination of colors for the interior are awesome. I have had my good share of vehicles, I am very satisfied with this particular one.