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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  04 Work truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By tomwalshco - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Stylish, easy interior controls, decent sound system for stock.

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  Happy after 9 months - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By Kevin - December 14 - 9:53 pm

  I traded in a 2007 gas Tahoe for the 2008 hybrid. The mileage is everything that they say it is. It has changed my driving habits somewhat, Im not a agressive and heavy footed at I used to be. Average 21.3 MPG overall, city mostly, little highway. On my gas Tahoe, Id get 325 miles per tank if I was lucky, on the hybrid I can get 500 miles per fill-up.

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  My 5th Chevy truck - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jojo - December 14 - 8:16 pm

  I have always driven a Chevy truck from a 1968 to a 2006. The power and performance of this truck is perfect. My friend has a pontoon boat that looks big as a house. No problem, hook it up and were gone. And a very comfortable ride also. Long or short drive no problem. My next truck will be a Chevy truck. The best truck there is.

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  Love my Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Bush - December 14 - 5:42 pm

  I never thought Id like the smaller bed but not once has it ever been an issue. I love the locking rear tailgate and hard cover. I go camping in the truck and simply lay down the back seat and put my pillow behind the front seats and feet out in the bed. Its secure and comfortable. I recommend the Avalanche to anyone looking for something different without giving up their truck. Believe it or not the locking boxes on the side are pretty cool too. I go boating and I also trailer motorcycles to the trails and its a good place to store my straps and hitch. The lock too so my stuff is safe. Plenty of room for the family and plenty of power to pull my 4,500 pound boat through the hills.

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  My First Car - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By THE BEAST - December 14 - 2:40 pm

  it a beast to drive with the horsepower and tuning i did to it. the flowmasters super 40s mufflurs sound like a couger all my friends love to ride in it cause it super roomie. the backseats wont work good with small children seats but im a kid in college so big. it a piece of history cause they stop making them in 2007 which is sad but they made room for the new 2010 camaro which well be my next car for sure. my monte well be in garage with my new camaro SS someday and i well keep my monte for years to come cause it great for road trips. hopefully she will always be in my garage so we well never have to part. i would suggust this car for first time drivers there perfect cars and safe&fun

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  Great truck for the money - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By ivan rubin - December 13 - 12:55 am

  I have had it for two months, absolutely satisfied in every way - thanks Chevy.

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  Fun Road Tripper - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Tony from Atlanta - December 12 - 5:46 am

  I think you either love or hate the design of this car. I love it. Funky, weird, retro. I thought it was unique until I bought one, now I see them everywhere! Economical and seemingly well built. Bought the car and put 3K miles on it in two weeks! Took it from GA to FL on a roadtrip. Fun, comfortable, great gas mileage. I was impressed with the AC too I havent had it long, but I did a lot of homework and it seems like a very good car compared to its peers, for features and functions. I am glad to be able to buy an American car again.

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  Tell me again why GM discontinued these? - 1996 Chevrolet Caprice
  By Z28_Sedan - December 12 - 2:03 am

  I have the 5.7L LT1 engine in mine. Its a very fast car with smooth-as- silk ride. The odd thing is that it gets 25 mpg even with the performance axle ratio (thats the EPA highway rating too). I know other owners getting 27 mpg. Its funny that Chryslers new Hemi (same size as the LT1: 5.7L) in the 300C/Magnum (a similar curb weight according to Edmunds) is rated at the same gas mileage (25 mpg highway) even though the Hemi is 10 years newer in design and even uses cylinder deactivation.

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  Master of all trades - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Beez - December 12 - 2:00 am

  This truck does it all. I have driven Ford Lariats the past 5 years, but after seeing the Avalanche I decided to give Chevrolet another chance. I needed alot of interior room to transport clients, but still needed the truck box to haul items. There are even storage compartments on the rear sides that I use as toolboxes and/or coolers. Most people cant believe the smooth quiet ride. Best vehicle Ive ever owned!

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  best car - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By bob the builder - December 12 - 2:00 am

  i have many experiences with this vehicle. we go to the sunday night drags and beat everybody with it. but there is a supra that is faster than me.