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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  Americal built - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Pete - December 20 - 11:50 pm

  I have driven this truck in summer, fall and winter it has been reliable, safe, and very useful. I have had NO trouble with it at all. The fit and finish are comparable with the Toyota and Nissan that I test drove. It is quiter than the Ford and more economical than the Dodge.

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  1995 Corvette - 1995 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 1995 CORVETTE - December 20 - 8:36 pm

  I love this vehicle. I was a little bit hesitant at first to purchase this vehicle because of all the stories, "I wouldnt want to pay the repair bill!" ect... It has not givin me a problem yet. Ive put 96,000 miles on it and all Ive ever done was change oil and basic tune-ups. You will love this car!!

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  Wow... Malibu BEATS Accord and Camry - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Andrew - December 20 - 1:26 pm

  I took my Mom out for a new car, to replace her 2005 Accord V6. I provided insight and acted as a discussion partner for her thoughts. Mom absolutely loved the Malibu. She said it was way quieter than her 2005 Honda, which I had never even noticed having any wind noise. She also liked the simple layout of the controls in the Malibu vs. the Accords complexity. When we took the Accord for a test drive you could instantly tell the improvement in the ride of the Malibu over the Accord. Accord was noisier at acceleration and the wind noise around the mirrors was horrible! She also stated that the Honda seats always felt like she was on a hard park bench but the Malibu felt comfortable.

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  2003 Competition Yellow SS ,my dream car - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By imarealslimladee - December 20 - 2:00 am

  When I first saw a Yellow Monte, I couldnt wait for my lease with my 2001 Red Impala to be over.I put a Yellow Monte on my desktop till I bought one. The kids thought I was alittle obsessed with it!Well they took back the Impala 7 months early! Now I have my baby! I Love driving it, 13,000 miles in 9 months. Sometimes Im amazed at how many compliments I get on my car. Its a great car:)

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  Awsome Car! - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mark Yarbrough - December 19 - 7:45 pm

  I test drove several cars, I liked the impala the best. Now having owned it for @6 months, I must say, I still love it! Nice ride, nice stereo, nice everything..

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  Trailblazer review - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By sheri1024 - December 19 - 1:30 pm

  The trailblazer is a reliable SUV. It offers AWD, 4WD and lo. With all the snow we have had here in New England I have had the chance to test the truck. Aside from the sketchy handling around sharp corners, which I think due to the size of any SUV it would be in question. Overall it is a pleasure to drive.

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  Chevy Cobalt - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Donika - December 19 - 7:10 am

  I thoroughly enjoy driving my Cobalt. It handles very well even around curves and corners. Roomy inside with storage places. Bucket seats that adjust are real nice too.

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  2003 Suburban 1500 - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Rick - December 18 - 9:52 pm

  Good open view of the road. Roomy and comfortable to drive. Luxury feel with heated leather seat option. Stock CD and radio system have good sound quality. Handling very good for a high profile vehicle. No mechanical problems in 33000 miles. Smooth shifting tansmission. Overall rating is good to excellent.

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  I love this SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jp - December 18 - 9:22 pm

  This is the 2nd Tahoe within 2 years. I purchased it new and loaded and I absolutely love it. My gas mileage is good and Ill purchase another Tahoe most probably in 2007. Love this SUV!

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  Keeping my SUV - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By L. Sherry - December 18 - 5:56 pm

  Excellent handling in heavy snow, reliable and well powered for pulling our boat. No problems whatsoever in the 2 1/2 years weve owned it. Extremely comfortable on long trips even though you do give up the better mileage of a smaller vehicle. Would definitely buy again.