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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  Best American Buy - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Roll - December 1 - 10:18 pm

  Looked for an American made car with a little European flair. Best overall Made in the USA car.

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  Fun Car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By dbrown - December 1 - 4:49 pm

  This is a great sports car for the money. It is FUN and makes you smile all the way down the road!

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  Better than old ford - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By CA1 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle is outstanding. My job requires a lot of driving and this car is so much better than the Ford Van that I used to drive. I had an Eddie Bauer Ford and the standard/leather Tahoe is just perfect for me. So far so good.

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  WOULNT TRADE FOR ANY OTHER SUV - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By PAM CRUISE - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I JUST LOVE MY Z71. IT WORKS GREAT IN THE SNOW AND ON WET ROADS. ANYONE WHO HAS RIDEN IN IT REMARKS ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR AND GREAT RIDE. I CAN TELL YOU MY NEXT SUV IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER Z71.MY LAST SUV WAS AN EXPLORER WHICH I LIKED BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE Z71. I PUT APPROX. 25,000 MILES ON MY SUV A YEAR. I RODE IN THE HONDA PILOT AND DIDNT FIND THE RIDE THAT COMFORTABLE.

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  the best suv - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tahoelover - December 1 - 10:00 am

  this is my second new tahoe, i had an explorer, expedition and a mountaineer and was not satisfied with them at all would not have anything else but a chevy tahoe and i even waited several weeks for the dealer to find the exact one i wanted the only thing i can say to anyone is drive one and you will fall in love

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  good - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By JVandiver87 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  perfect if u like corrvetts

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  My 2500HD Deisel with Allison Tranny - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Marvin Belrose - December 1 - 10:00 am

  You did not list the excellent Duramax diesel option, nor the 5 speed Allison transmission. I recently purchased this vehicle, and can honestly say that I am astounded at its performance. Since we are going to upsize the trailer soon, I bought the new truck to handle nearly any trailer towing possibility we may have in the immediate future. The torque from this engine is unbelievable, and the Allison tranny hooks up with the engine so smoothly that it is indeed a pleasure to drive. We have seen a 20% decrease in fuel consumption, and feel much more secure in braking situations, and downhill situations. A great truck!

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  Best used truck, anywhere, any place!! - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ButchA - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck used at the local dealer here in town. I originally had an old well used, worn out, 87 Ford Ranger that had 139,000 miles and was rusting, battered, beat up, and not reliable anymore. I discovered the 2000 Chevy 1500 Silverado LS regular cab, off the internet and went to check it out. Its amazing! Simply put. Even though it has 71,000 miles, it is still in incredibly good condition. This truck is built to last and way more rugged than my old Ford Ranger. This truck has the optional 4.8L V8 engine instead of the V6, which gives it a lot more oomph on the road.

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  WDQ - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ZCVXc - December 1 - 10:00 am

  BEST VEHICLE I EVER PURCHASED !!

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  silverado rating - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By john faso - December 1 - 10:00 am

  i got my dream truck!! a 2003 chevy silverado and im loving every minute of it. its absolutely perfest!