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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  Fun Ride - 2006 Chevrolet SSR
  By imHarley - August 3 - 6:19 pm

  This Little pickup is just as cool as my Chevy 1948 pro-street rod. I have owned a 2004 Vette and this truck feels better in the turns. Its just a blast to drive on winding roads. And the way it seems like GM put it together, upgrades should be a snap ( ram-air )

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  Great car for the money - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By ramond chiaramonte - August 3 - 1:06 pm

  My experience with the 2003 Impala LS is great. I would absolutely purchase another in the future. I find the ride and comfort of the car compare very well with much more expensive foreign cars, as well as the appearance. The upgraded stereo is the best I have ever heard in a car. The car also has great trunk space. I continually get positive comments about the car from my associates, many who own foreign cars. They are usally suprised when I tell them what kind of car it is. Often they do not realize it is a Chevrolet Impala. I would recomend this car to anyone without hesitation.

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  The Corvette C-6 cant be compared - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Mary - August 2 - 6:40 pm

  Chevrolete made all the changes on the C-6 that I would like to have seen on my 2000 C-5 and them some. This car exceeds my expectations as a Corvette lover. The moment I saw the C-6 in person I was trading up. Way up. It is no doubt the most sports car for the price. The pictures and TV ads do not do adequate justice to the appearance of the car in person. My car insurance went down due to the additional safety features. The C-6 is a head turner.

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  Love this truck - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kel - August 2 - 4:03 pm

  So far I am very happy with this SUV. Its very roomy. It handles well, although turning radius is not that great. The gas mileage is good considering the size. My only cons are the window controls, and the cheap cupholders.

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  Call it a Cavalier, No Comparison - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Itsnotacavalier - August 2 - 4:00 pm

  Great mileage, powerful 4 cyl. I absolutelyy recomend the Pioneer Sound for a measly $150.00. Could use a little less body roll. but that is easily fixed. Excellent ride, quiet, great interior, White face gauges are quite nice. This is the best small car for the money. Electric steering rocks. Interior fabric has a spendy sport car feel!!

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  Great Baby Hauler - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By JB - August 2 - 6:43 am

  This car is great for those with babies, and dont want a minivan or SUV. Because the rear seats slide forward and backwards, you can place a rear facing baby seat without losing legroom for the front passengers. With the seats all the way back there is still room in the trunk for a baby stroller plus a trip to the grocery store.

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  I miss it. - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By GreatCar - August 2 - 3:02 am

  This was a great little car for me! I drove it 60 miles a day and it performed great. Good gas mileage with V6. It was very quiet, which I love. Looked great, especially the medium-blue paint. Even with a few hail dings, it was great. Aluminum wheels were a nice feature. I bought it with 153,000 miles! Sold it with 160,000 to a college friend, but wish I would have kept it! Very reliable and economic. Sharp! Looking for another one!

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  2004 Chevytrailblazer Ext 4x4 - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By EZDA4 - August 2 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is awesome! It handles great in all weather, especially the snow. It is a very smooth ride, all the way to the back seat. It is a great family vehicle. There is tons of space. We are very pleased with everything the Ext Trailblazer has to offer. The only negative thing I have to say is that it isnt very good on gas but that comes with buying an SUV.They did a great job on all the amenities.

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  The Aveo is the best bang for the buck! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Jynx - August 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is the most affordable and well equipted GM car out there. It has the reliability of the GM company but the new stylish design like the more "hip" foreign cars. Even without all of the upgrades the car is great...but the upgrades do inhance the appeal of the vehicle. Overall I would rank the Aveo as my first choice for a starter car with class.

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  VERY PLEASED CUSTOMER - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By johnboy511949 - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT BUYING THIS CAR FOR SEVERAL YRS AND AFTER PURCHASING IT IT HAS SURPASSED ALL MY EXPECTATIONS AND SO HAS THE SELLING DEALER.