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:

• 

  Awesome SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ethan - June 28 - 12:40 am

  This is the best midsize suv. I looks like a Lexus and drives awesome. I chose it over a GMC Envoy SLT.

• 

  Excellent family car - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By puppy - June 27 - 6:57 pm

  I bought a 2001 impala from a private party at 75,000 mile for $6100. It feels like new. Has a quiet engine, stable and comfortable highway driving. Its much better than Camry or Accord ifor this price.

• 

  2005 Avalanche - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By rherauf - June 27 - 5:05 pm

  I have 8000 miles on the unit and am getting 19.6mpg driving 40 miles/day to and from work. its very comfortable on long trips.

• 

  My 2004 Chevy Malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By USFIslandchild - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I love my 2004 Chevy Mailbu. I would suggest it to anyone who is looking to buy a midsized car. The 2003 doesnt even compare to the 2004. The car seems to have European style, feel, and comfort. I chose the LS V6 with the following options that I would recommend: side-curtain airbags and remote start (one of my favorites). Please feel free to email me if you are considering purchasing anytime soon.

• 

  An awesome car at a bargain price - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Defendar - June 27 - 12:35 am

  This is my third Cavalier. Also owned a 1988 and 2000 Cavalier. I bought this car fully loaded planning to keep it for a long time. Well losing my job forced me to take a job 107 miles away from home. So my daily commute totals 214 miles. At 88,000 miles I just replaced the fuel pump. Im still on my first brakes and tires, even though both probably need to be replaced soon. This car has fantastic low-end torque. You can get yourself in trouble in no time at all, blowing away everything in its class and then some. Considering the cost, this car is a total steal and you can tons of after- market parts to make a look a billion bucks, for less than $20,000 overall cost.

• 

  Great Z71 - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Rbredemeyer - June 27 - 12:17 am

  This is my fifth Z71 Suburban. It is a great vehicle. The only thing that would make it better would be to use the 6.0 liter engine for a bit more towing power.

• 

  The Best Truck for Everything! - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Rick - June 26 - 3:14 pm

  I have owned several trucks over the years, and this Chevy Avalanche is definitely #1. So, if you are deciding which truck to buy, dont hesitate. Its worth every dime spent. It even has the OnStar feature. I cant say enough. Its just the best!

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Malibu Guy - June 26 - 7:21 am

  This is my third Malibu. This new version is by far the best one yet. In over a year, I only had it back to the dealer for the required state inspection. I paid 70% of the sticker price - quite a deal and car. Are there better cars? Sure, but youll pay a lot more for them. This is an excellent value for my money. I like the idea of the SS and will buy one if the price is reasonable.

• 

  I like it! - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By New Truck - June 26 - 7:20 am

  The truck is awesome. I love the handling and features. Mine came with leather and 20 inch wheels which make it look even better. The ride is smooth and the power is there when I need it. Gas mileage isnt all that great, but what do you expect from a truck? The towing capacity is more than enough for my use.

• 

  My z71 Tahoe - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Glenn Prescott - June 25 - 10:53 am

  Well, we are very excited about our Z71 Tahoe. We love to drive it, but are not excited about the gas mileage. Getting 11.9 MPG in town due to buying low rear axle ratio for heavy towing, but other than that, its a great vehicle