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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  Love My Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Barbara - September 28 - 6:43 pm

  Altho my mileage hasnt been as good as I would like - it is getting better as the engine gets broken in - I do love this car. I is particularly fun to drive, while having plenty of room and remaining comfortable.

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  Great truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By carla cox - September 27 - 1:22 pm

  I like it that its big enough to haul something, yet small. I owned an S-10, and this is by far more comfortable and more room. It looks great and sporty if I say so myself. People stop me at red lights and comment on the color "Sunburst ORANGE", even the older people. I love this truck.

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  Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By walter stanley - September 26 - 6:49 pm

  This vehicle has provided great reliability (oil changes and 1 set of brake pads @50000 miles), exceptional gas mileage(when I drive consertively I get 32/35 MPG), lots of room, good comfort, performance when required, acceptable styling and a good price. Im totally satisfied with the car and intend to buy another one in 2006. I think this car is the best value vehicle that GM or anyone else makes for this size car.

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  Another good Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By CLifton - September 26 - 6:30 pm

  I purchased the SUV a little over a year ago and I have been completely happy. It rides well, has plenty of interior room, and horsepower to boot. We have used it mainly for trips considering that I live less than 2 miles from work. An enjoyable SUV, just what I expect from Chevy.

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  Ds Vette - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Ds Vette - September 26 - 6:30 pm

  Truly having a wonderful experience with my first Vette. Even though its used, its still a marvel. Havent had the Vette long but have not had any bad experiences. Hoping all the bugs have been worked out as it seems to have been in my case. Gas mileage is awesome considering.

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  My Review - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By duhduh - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I have only had good experiences in this vehicle.

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  Chevolet Cavalier - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jessica Wilson - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my 2003 cavalier since Jan., and it is very fun to drive, horsepower is good, sound system is excellent, and it has very good power steering-its more like a sports car to me without the speed. I have a red, 2-door coupe, which turns a lot of heads when i drive by! I give my car a 9 1/2 overall!

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  beautiful and nice riding car. - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Frank V - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. The driving is great. The seats [driver and passenger] are very comfortable. I have the power seat and my wife loves it. The remote vehicle start is great also. My first long drive it had 29 miles to the gallon.This is to me a luxury car I can afford. I have received many [at least 15 or more] good comments. None so far. This car has the Onstar and XM radio also. One comment was from a "maxima" car owner who was really impressed.

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  Excellent - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By snunes68 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  The best truck on the market. You can fit comfortably with 7/8 passengers. This is the perfect family car for the value.

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  V8TOGO Corvette Conv. - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By BHBARR - September 26 - 10:00 am

  The most performance for the dollar. Not only do you get high performance but as much as 32 mpg on the highway at 75 miles an hour. The build quality inside and out compares with cars costing twice as much. Reliability is second to none!