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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  Chevy struck gold - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By wonderwhatznext - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I have had no problems at all with the vehicle and would buy another one in a heartbeat. It comes as no surprise to me that it has been a sales success. I am often dissapointed with Consumers Reports biasses torwards Japanese automakers, as I test drove a Camry and an Accord and still was more impressed by my Impala.

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  07 Silverado - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By J. Tilson - July 13 - 7:06 pm

  Outstanding styling and a 4.8L V8 that is more than capable of getting the job done at the construction site. Even the lifelong Ford guys at my company have nothing bad to say about the truck, except the sloping bed.

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  not perfect but close - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By john and jane - July 11 - 10:00 am

  Thoroughly researched similar cars. Felt the Buick LeSabre to be the closest in comparison. Impala much more stylish and youthful. Options incuded in price of the LS is remarkable!! Great value,very happy with choice!!

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  A FWD SS but still an SS! - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Doggiedogma - July 10 - 11:50 am

  2007 Impala SS is a slick pavement grinder while having a refined and quiet ride. The MPGs are not as high as advertised, but the performance and drive-ability help to make up for the MPG deficiency. It is very difficult to back this car up as the rear vision is hampered by the high rear headrests, spoiler and raised back end. The interior dash and displays are cheap looking, operating and feeling. There is a lot of front interior leg, hip and shoulder room but the rear leg room is compromised, especially for those over 6ft. Exterior road noises are sufficiently

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  dog cab - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By elmo daddy - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I love this truck. I really enjoy its versatility and its comfort. It is perfect for hauling my 2 dogs (both over 100lbs). We open up the back end and fold the seats down and away we go. It is also perfect for hauling friends around for a night on the town.

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  OLDER IS BETTER - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By JOSE blanco - July 2 - 10:00 am

  i belive the older style corvettes are better this may have speed but the old vetts have the looks

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  Silverado Clunker - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By LA Watts - July 2 - 10:00 am

  This is a good looking vehicle but the constant clunking is very annoying. GM says that it is normal due to torque buildup between transmission and transfer case. They also say they have changed the transmission for 2005 model to eliminate the problem. They offer an extended warranty for free but I already have it. They sent an engineer out to drive it and he reported a definite problem but they still claim that it is normal. Why wont they stand behind their vehicle and repair the problem . Very unhappy with GM over this vehicle.

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  Not for big butts - 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
  By rallysport - July 1 - 3:59 am

  seats are for smaller people if your a big guy or gal , seats tend to me more narrow.

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  Cute - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Denise - June 30 - 5:00 pm

  My driving experience with the Chevy Cobalt is that it does drive smooth and it has some speed. The brakes are good. All it takes is a tap on the brakes. The heating system is good. I burn less heat and oil. The windows fog up easily.

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  2005 chevy 2500HD - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By robbie64 - June 29 - 7:21 pm

  I love the truck,have 75000 miles . pull a 35 ft 5TH wheel camper, have only one problem the brakes seem to let go just as you come to a stop.Does not read any codes.