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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  Real SUV without the rock hard ride - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By bkd - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Excellent power and fantastic ride. It has a much better ride than the other SUV I tried, including the luxury models. Available options are great (XM, On-Star, DVD). I would also recommend the leather.

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  My Auto Show Favorite - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By TAW4 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Very comfortable ride. Roomy passanger area.

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  ford sucks - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By sk8er353321 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  The Z71 is not only rliable it has power, fun, and everything you want in a good chevorlet pickup

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  Outstanding Ride by Abolds - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By abolds4397 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I am so pleased with my Chevy Silverado! The extended cab has so much room to operate. I also love the XM radio and ONSTAR. After taking it for a long ride on the highway, I learned how comfortable it really is. It maneuvers like a car. The bed is more than adequate to load up and transport items. The 5.3L engine is very powerful and and very little noise and the transmission shifts very smoothly.

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  I LOVE MY ASTRO VANS!!!!! - 2005 Chevrolet Astro
  By Betsey - November 7 - 12:45 am

  I have TWO Astro Mini-vans, and I love them!!! My first is an 89, has 140,000 miles on it, and is still on the road. My new one has the AWD and extended features which are absolutely GREAT!

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  Burbans are Real SUVs - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By tom sexton - November 6 - 2:04 pm

  Our present burban is our second new one in three yrs.1st a 01 3/4T 496" to replace a 3/4T 88 chv 12pas van. It could haul anything you can hook to it, and ride better than most cars if you need a truck in car clothes, the 3/4s are the one for you including when you want a fancy date nite rig for full size adults who value easy entry/exit and ALL SEAT comfort. Our newest is the 1/2T w/5.3 V8. We didnt need the 3/4 model now, and the 1/2T rides the same with all the space and room which we use often. The 5.3 V8 has all the steam most people will ever need and then some, with a surprising power curve, and yet will get 17.5-19 mpg hiway once its well broken in using syn mtr oil. A GREAT CAR

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  Happy Camper - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Smiling Rick - November 6 - 9:52 am

  Great car at an awesome price. I expected to have to buy something more along the lines of the Cavelier but was able to buy the Impala and it is a joy.

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  One really fun SS - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By PewterSS - November 5 - 2:48 pm

  This is one great affordable sportscar. Mine is the SS with the Tremec 6-speed, I wouldnt trade the 6-speed for a automatic, no way! The engine and the stick works really nice together. This is a such a fun and fast car to drive. Hitting 80 mph is so easy you really have to watch out.

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  Yellow Competition - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By XxJoshJDbsnxX - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Competition Yellow package Monte and its great. Couldnt think of a better car. Only down side is the head room. But theres alot of room none to less

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  Suburban LT - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By wpayne - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Picked up last week of October. Break in milegage (under 60) was 21.5 mpg. Mileage drops off over 60. Comfort is great, as well as roominess.