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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  Love it - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By bergman - May 18 - 3:06 pm

  I love this vehicle. So smooth, and rides like youre on clouds. The Bose stereo system is excellent. I cant believe Im doing 65 mph. It feels like it 25mph, thats how smooth it is. I love this vehicle. If I trade it in later on, it will be for another one.

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  Jury Still Out - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By LancTruckMan - May 16 - 1:33 pm

  My first pickup in 12 years but have been GM fan for 10 (was Ford). As with my previous Tahoe this is a well built truck. In & out looks great. Ride is somewhat more truck than my Tahoe. Engine run and road noise is great except for tire noise but thats due to the dueler tires on when purchased. Already better gas mileage according to the computer than my 03 Tahoe.

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  Good Car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jason - May 15 - 9:04 pm

  I just got this car 2 weeks ago and have found it to be nothing but a pleasure. I was a little concerned when i seen the brown sludge under the radiator cap, but was relieved when the dealer told me it is a sealent put there from the factory. The room in this car is amazing, at least coming from my old car, a 1997 Dodge Stratus.

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  Worth The Price - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Joe - May 15 - 3:26 pm

  We got this vehicle for our new born baby. This car has a load of safety features that I know would keep our family safe. This truck has some serious muscle. We live in San Francisco. Climbing uphills is no problem. Accelerates like a sports car. The gas is excellent! So far, weve had no problems with reliability. This car is worth every penny!

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  2005 Uplander AWD after 1000 miles - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Eric - May 14 - 2:04 pm

  I love my new Uplander! It is more powerful than my Grand Voyager. The seats are very comfortable and my kids love the convenience of all the storage. I like the information center displays. The black and white display took some getting used to. The DVD is great for trips. All the seating allows us to take our kids and other team members to practice. The folding seats are easy to use. The vehicle is quieter than expected. The vehicle is loaded with features.

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  I Like it - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Charles Ireland - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love at first drive - couldnt wait for mine to be delivered. We have over 10000 miles and have enjoyed every one of them. Having owned and deiven several vans and pickups, I can say that this is the most enjoyable vehicle weve owned.

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  BEST TRUCK EVER-BAR NONE - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By HHHANSEN - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Strong truck,hauls my wood, cattle, and my grand children with equal ease !! I love the truck .I have had no major problems, and i use the truck as a truck,no sissy suv. here.

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  A great little family car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By chalda - May 13 - 12:50 pm

  Affordable to purchase, maintain, and run. Great on long car trips (over 500mi) and very good looking for an economy car. Dont compare it to the expensive cars, but if you compare to others in its class (Toyota Echo, Pontiac Wave, Sunfire, Cavalier) this car outdoes them all for space and apppearance. I test drove them all and still bought the Aveo. We all love it!

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  WOW! What a SUV!!!! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By TrailBlazerGirl - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I am IMPRESSED!!! I had a TrailBlazer as a rental car to drive from CA- Vegas- Laughlin- & back to CA. Very happy with fast acceleration, driving in mountain areas, & the comfortable seats for long drives! I was so happy with the drive I am currently shopping to buy one. I was in the market for a new Jetta to replace my old one or a Dodge Durango. I couldnt decide if I wanted the SUV or a car. However, this SUV puts the Durango to shame! Durango is no longer a choice! The trunk had lots of space with extra compartments.

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  Performs beyond my expectations. - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Robbie1510 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my truck for 7 months and I have definatly put it to the test. Living in Utah makes it easy to test the trucks abilities in the elements. So far I am very happy with the performance and durabilty. This truck has taken me to the Grand Canyon in November (8" of snow 45 miles unplowed), through rivers, streams, muddy ponds, up and down mountain trails, and in between all this pounding, the extensive road trips in comfort. Keep in mind my truck is still stock with no modifications.