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:

• 

  Chevy Tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By rdavis - May 20 - 10:00 am

  This is an excellent vehicle, I love the way it handles, and its cargo capacity makes it multi functional. With the third seats, we are able to seat plenty of kids and still have room for camping gear. The biggest complaint I have is that now all my friends and relatives expect help when moving.

• 

  great vehicle, will buy again - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By bje - May 20 - 10:00 am

  this vehicle is driven by my wife, she demands reliable transportation, and this is what we have received. Being raised in GM orientated families, GMCs and Chevs have been our families favorites for many, many years... even our 2 grown sons drive Chev Z-71 pickups. Future purchases will always put a new Chev/GMC product in our front yard.....brian edgerton

• 

  A ride thats unbelevable...... - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Sstallingsb - May 20 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle rides like a cadillac. Its the most comfortable and smoothest riding truck Ive been in, it rides better than a Ford, thats for sure.

• 

  CHEVY IS THE BEST - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By VICTOR PACHUCA - May 20 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS MY SECOND SILVERADO IAM REAL HAPPY WITH IT. REAL GOOD TRUCK I LOOKED AT OTHER TRUCKS BUT THIS ONE REALLY CONVICED ME. REAL GOOD FOR TOWING AND ITS JUST A REAL GOOD TRUCK IT HAS MORE SPACE THANANY OTHER EXTENDED CAB TRUCK OUT THERE

• 

  Great Bang 4 the Buck - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Greg W - May 20 - 2:40 am

  For the price of a new Lancer Evo or WRX STi, you can purchase a very clean, used Z06 and smoke those 4-cylinder hairdryers all day long. The 2001 Z06 with 385hp & 385ft-lbs of torque launches from a standing start like a Trans-Am race car. Add an intake, LG long tube headers and a good exhaust to a 2001 Z06 and youll easily match the 405hp found in 2002-2004 models. Dont be afraid to rev the engine. Unlike the older C4 and early C5 motors, the Z06 engine doesnt hit its horsepower peak until just over 6000rpm. Handling is fantastic for practically every twisty road in America. Only dedicated track drivers may find it a little soft.

• 

  Bang for your buck - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gerald Del Sasso - May 19 - 6:59 pm

  I read reviews about the impala and I was couldnt help to notice Cheverolet advertised this large car was best in class gas mileage. So I took it for a test drive and I have been smiling ever since. I am so happy I bought this car and its alot more than I thought I could afford. The 200 HP 3.8L has some giddy-up and around town and I am still averaging over 28mpg according to the trip computer it came with. The XM package coupled with the 200W stereo make this car a must have for anyone who has drives 15000 a year. Dont take my word for it, you wont believe how far you dollar will stretch.

• 

  Great High Speeds or Slow - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Dean C Kaul - May 19 - 12:25 pm

  We bought the car for winter use and for long trips. It is the best road car we have ever had. It is quiet and comfortable. We get to our destination far more rested than with our previous SUVs from another manufacturer. The commanding height of the driver always lets you know whats ahead. For the passenger, it is like watching from the window of a passenger train.

• 

  Best I have owned! - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By John Wasserman - May 19 - 11:06 am

  This car has everything style, performance, reliability, and power. A word of caution, warn your passenger before you put the pedal to the metal!

• 

  Exceptional car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By kaisere - May 19 - 2:21 am

  Its a rush to drive. Take your pick, every day car - or - bat out of hell...its both. For a sports car, this thing gets incredible gas mileage - over 30 on the highway. Not bad for a car that easily blows most others off the road.

• 

  Never get tired of driving it - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bryan Mills - May 18 - 7:13 pm

  If you dont like a sports car, dont get this car. You will hate it due to the low ride and poor visibility compared to a commuter car. I ordered my car from dealer new because I wanted all options except for T-tops (no truck room due to holders), chrome wheels (trows weights with hard driving) and upgraded stereo (put in aftermarket unit). Almost all dealer ordered cars have T-tops. My roomate bought the exact same car but he went with the V8. So I can also rate his as well. Mine now has 35,000 miles, his has 145,000. I drive this car real hard on occasion. Roomate babies his ride. Both cars are driven in NH winters with no traction problems thanks to the limited slip differential.