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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  Impressed - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Johnsay - August 20 - 2:06 pm

  My first SUV and its great. Smooth, powerful, comfortable, roomy. Outstanding gas mileage for such a large vehicle (20-22MPG). Mine has NO options yet seems extremely well equipped.

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  Very happy Vette owner - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By lauer777 - August 20 - 12:36 pm

  You name it, Ive had it. Mercedes, BMW, driven Porsches. The first time I drove my first Vette, I knew that I waited too long, and WASTED my money on foreign cars. I, like many others, was skeptical, due to American quality concerns. Think no more! For what I paid for my first Vette... $49K, what I got for the money far exceeded any other car in value. I purchased an extended warranty, and I drive virtually worry free for SIX years!! To date, not one thing, on both my Z06 and C5 has gone wrong. All someone in the design dept. needs to do is work on the interior, and, as far as I am concerned, we have a near perfect car!

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  Second as good as the first. - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Buckdawg - August 20 - 9:39 am

  I owned a 2002 Avalanche for 3 years and just bought a 2005 Avalanche this month. I found the 2WD fuel usage to be very good considering the size of the vehicle. Except for the tailgate support recall and routine maintenance, I did not have one problem with the vehicle. It has been fun and useful to drive.

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  Like a Rock! Z71 Colorado - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Kevin - August 19 - 6:01 pm

  Plain and simple truck inside. No problems with layout of panels and radio. Outside looks great. Rough and ready. Just to give you an idea. I was leaving work and I witnessed a gentlemen standing in the parking lot saying as I pulled out "Nice looking truck"! Chevy got it right with this truck. You cant go wrong. I couldnt pass up the employee pricing and got a loaded Z71, AT, 4 dr crew cab. You cant be the MPG. I am getting 20 in town and 23 on the hiway.

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  Best American Car on the Road - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By MP - August 19 - 4:52 pm

  I just cant believe this car, its like driving a couch, its so comfortable. The performance is tip top, the leather wears great, the XM Radio is excellent as well as the control knobs on the steering wheel. It is without a doubt the most comfortable car I have ever owned. Yes the styling is a little aged, but who cares? It is a non-descript car in a time where everyone wants to stand out. It stands out by blending in.

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  Sublime... - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Gaurang Khetan - August 19 - 7:40 am

  Pros: Great ride, handling, steering, comfort, feature-full, very well designed, Great engine, Innovative Maxx concept, great value. Did I mention rear space? Cons: moderate wind noise at high speeds; a somewhat vague feeling in steering and suspension(i love it now) There is no match in this price range. I simply love this car -- in fact, I drive the longer routes, so that I can spend more time in it. The car handles very well, the steering is easy (the variable assist electric steering gives you comfortable and easy control of the steering), ride is quick and very comfortable, the engine hardly makes any sound, car is VERY smooth, a joyous ride (try it once).

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  Best Used Car - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Richard_Roma - August 18 - 4:15 pm

  Best used car I ever owned. A steal at current prices. Nice ones can be had with reasonable mileage for uner $7500. Last year ever made, I wish Chevy and Toyota still offered them. (Its a Corolla). Id buy a brand new one if available today. But no, have to go with the 2002.

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  2008 Sport Equinox! - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By David A. Smith - August 18 - 5:33 am

  I test drove the 2007 Equinox and was not very impressed with the preformance - but then I was shown the 2008 Sport version, OMG the new version of this SUV is amazing, the Power and look of the car is all new. Very impressed with the 0-100kph 6.4 seconds.

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  Finally - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Brutal - August 17 - 11:28 pm

  Have wanted a Vette since I was little. Now that I could afford one, etc. everyone thinks Im going thru the mid-life crisis thing. Oh well I was not disappointed in this car. I have owned this car since 11/04 and everyday (no kidding) I look forward to getting in this car to drive it. It is so nice to barely touch the gas and have so much power. I love this car.

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  Built For A Man, But Made For A Woman - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By VICTORY RED! - August 17 - 9:43 pm

  I had not driven a Vette in over 15 years until I recently got in the drivers seat of the 2005. Needless to say all the reasons I never bought one, aside from being too young, are GONE! The difficult clutch, the stiff shifter, the hard steering, are all gone. Chevy has really come full circle to make this car so easy to drive and opened up the market to women sports car enthusiasts like me. Thankfully I am still young enough to truly enjoy this car. Happy birthday to me from my awesome husband!