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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  The ultimate in convenience! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Robsis - August 25 - 10:00 am

  My wife wanted a four door, I wanted a truck. We went looking for club-cab pickups and she fell in love with the new Avalance without body hardware. The cladding was hard for her to take; however, once she saw the new model without it, she fell in love. What a great vehicle. Rides like a Tahoe, carries 5 comfortably; and, I can go the the home improvement store and take home anything. We also plan on getting the optional tent and using it for camping.

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  Alicias Impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Graydon - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Just bought this car this week and it is absolutely beautiful.

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  Quietest Truck Around - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Allie - August 25 - 10:00 am

  First I must say if you are looking for a quiet truck, this is it. I have bought five brand new trucks and this is by far the most refined.

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  The Best Car I Ever Owned - 1994 Chevrolet Caprice
  By starbreeze74 - August 24 - 7:43 pm

  I bought my Caprice a year ago and it was the best purchase I have made. With over 260,000 miles it still runs just as smooth and great as the day it was put on the lot in 1994.

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  Great ride - 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
  By BOB N. - August 23 - 9:25 pm

  Have had this 2016 Equinox for three weeks now and totally love it. The ride is fantastic. Both my wife and I have commented how our legs dont feel like rubber after getting out from a trip. Car handles wonderfully with great steering and comfortable ride. So far I have been averaging slightly over 27 MPG on the highway here in New England and better than 23 MPG around town. The 4 cyl. 2.4 engine is great and has plenty of power to handle the hills and can easily pass on the highway without punching the pedal. Could not be happier with this choice. Only con is that my wife is short and cannot reach the back hatch to close it. Didnt want to get the LTZ package. Oh well...minor issue and made her a grabber to reach the hatch hand hold.

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  Love My Aveo - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Butler Hendrix - August 23 - 6:56 pm

  Just a lovely car to drive. Fuel economy is excellent. Ours is getting 32 mpg city & 37 mpg highway with automatic transmission

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  Better then I had dreamed - 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By t pearson - August 23 - 5:55 pm

  This truck exceeds all my and my wifes expectations. My wife took the truck on vacation to Key West and back and she got over 18.5 mpg!

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  04 Ave - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Matt in Mass - August 23 - 11:23 am

  Worth every penny. Comforable, reliable. Great gas mileage for a full size truck. Highly recommend!

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  Fantastic gas saver! - 1998 Chevrolet Metro
  By Chevy Metro/Suzuki - August 22 - 11:40 am

  Indeed, we have been 100% very pleased over the years with the automatic version, comfort and cargo space offered by this stylish Chevy Metro /Suzuki Swift, having Japanese quality & reliability so obvious, this car will not let you down, and you can really smile at the gas station with these new gas prices and still rising! We truly love this car who saved us thousands of dollars over the years!

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  Greatest American Sports Car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Joe W. - August 21 - 4:13 pm

  This is a car I just love to drive. It hugs the road in almost any road condition. This is also one of the best values for the type of performance you get for a sports car in this class.