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:

• 

  Great ride, great price.... - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Franco - April 14 - 6:56 pm

  Nice ride, smooth engine, cheap on gas, nice looking, what else can you ask for? I dont understand why Chevy Cavalier got an early retirement.

• 

  Every Day is Talladega, Part II - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By The Gunny (Retired) - April 14 - 3:50 pm

  Thus far, the new Monte has made trips to Chicago and the Quad Cities, and combined with the day to day driving to and from work, there is no doubt in my (former) military mind that this is the best car I have ever driven. The 3.9 6 cyl has enough power to get me noticed by the Iowa Patrol (hasnt happened yet), yet seems to be keeping the MPG at around 20 city (although the instant economy feature has shown me mileage around 30+ on occasion). The heated leather and remote start feature makes cold days nothing to fear, and its a nice change to come into a heated car on the way home from work. No, its not a Mustang or Corvette, but the lines and performance thus far belie NEXTEL Cup.

• 

  Still pretty new, but . . . - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By John VS - April 14 - 10:00 am

  our Impala is a wonderful vehicle. We wanted something quiet to drive, roomy, with good gas mileage. We got that and more. On the highway, we can speak softly and listen to music without the volume way up. Roomy, comfortable back seat for friends or baby car seat, and 30 m.p.g. on the road. We splurged and got the leather and car phone and sunroof, etc., etc. We love the way it handles. Chevy did a lot of things right. Our kids wanted us to get a Camry or Altima - drove top of the line in both, loved the Chev. *way* more. Cant understand reviewing editors here with their cold reviews. We sold our Mazda. Love it so far (only had it <30 days).

• 

  Happy TB Camper - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By DukeCylk - April 13 - 11:58 pm

  I am very satisfied with our vehicle. The torque and horsepower are exceptional. My only complaint is that the new stadium seating concept makes it difficult to see where you are going when backing up.

• 

  Will Own Many More Cavaliers!! - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Rachek - April 13 - 10:49 pm

  I drive for a living. I spend no less than 9 hours a day in my car and it is the best purchase I have ever made. I love my car and will own it till it wont own me anymore.

• 

  My first car - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Mikey - April 13 - 12:13 pm

  It was a great car , I bought it in 2009 with 120k on it I was 16 when I bought it, it was actually in a previous accident and was reconstructed but looked brand new, I never had a problem with any type of engine work or anything, I did get in a accident with it when I was 18 but I got it fixed and it was fine the only trouble I had with the car was electronic issues like my tail lights were always going out and getting me pulled over and always had to mess with the word and get new tail lights, but I had the car intill I was 22 and had to get rid of it for financial issues. But I would definitely buy another one!

• 

  Safest Feeling Yet - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By jbmmp1 - April 12 - 8:24 pm

  New IIHS Frontal Crash test ratings were nothing short of awesome. This is a vehicle I feel safe hauling around my most valuble cargo, my family. It has outstanding handling and a fresh new look.

• 

  This is a REAL winner! - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By deborah - April 12 - 7:46 pm

  It is sporty looking. It gets great gas mileage! It is roomy inside. It has great safety features. These are all important to our family of 6! Plus, it has a get up and go that an 8 clyinder would be envious of. This IS the perfect vehicle! It rides smoothly-like a big, fancy car. It has the tough looks of an SUV. It has the reliability of a Chevy! It has the practical side of a mini-van. It is comfortable and practical!

• 

  Best car Ive ever purchased - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Shannon - April 12 - 7:23 pm

  I love my Uplander. Im a single mom with 3 kids (twin teenagers and a 5 yr old), and there wasnt enough room in a regular car for all of us comfortably. I started to look at bigger SUVs and minivans, but I also wanted a car with a DVD player because we spend alot of time in the car, between soccer games, running the teens everywhere, and we do alot of traveling with my sister, nephew and my mom. I looked at the Venture and was ok with it. My salesman called me the following week (because I couldnt make a decision on a car )to tell me they just got the new Uplander in that day and he wanted me to come up and look at this car. I fell in love with this car. Im glad I made this decision.

• 

  Show Stopper - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By mtunstl - April 12 - 6:31 pm

  This is a well designed and well built muscle car for the new century. A sleeper at the stop light and a lightning bolt on the straightaway. Its not a "cop catcher" but it is an "eye catcher". Men and women of all ages love this car because it is fun and different from what you see all over the roads today. It has a little retro styling with all the best technology of today. Form and function in one cute little pick-up.