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 vehicle ever - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Karen Finch - October 6 - 8:05 am

  We were so happy with our 2012 Equinox that we bought another one in 2015.

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  only American built for me. - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By msnyder - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Took delivery 12-99. Most problems have been on the quirky side. Door weather strips, passenger seat handle, drivers door bushings have been replaced. Only major expense at 57,000 miles so far has been the fuel pump. I love extended warranty coverage. Backseat might be a little tight for three growing kids. Over all a good buy. Will keep until we outgrow it. Even then it might hang around as a second car. By that time my 86 S-10 with 170,000 miles might be ready for retirement.

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  Rough engine idle - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jason - October 5 - 7:53 pm

  I just bought this 2006 Impala LT 3.9L V6 all is great but the engine idles rough and when you are in drive it sound and feels like the motor is under heavy load or that the RPMS are to low but overall I like the car and its fun to drive.

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  Camaro is a solid ride - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Howard1958 - October 5 - 2:00 am

  The Chevy Camaro is a great fun car to drive. I get lots of stares from the young kids in the street. Its a small town so everyone knows when Im driving by, which I enjoy. No major problems to speak of.

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  My TrailBlazer - AWESOME - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Robby Hukka - October 5 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Chevy TrailBlazer for almost two years now and I do some really heavy driving. Not only has my TrailBlazer been outstanding in the 52,000 miles it has taken me it gives me a sense of security while Im on the road. My TrailBlazer is not equipped with OnStar but its powerful presence and large stance makes me feel empowered on the road.

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  Ten days of sheer joy so far - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By Gentlespirit - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 2004 SSR 10 days ago. It is Slingshot Yellow and has all of the trimmings except the chrome wheels. I got an incredible deal from the dealer: 8% discount AND 72 months at 0% financing. Some of the salesmen suggested I might have "stolen" it (heh heh). Well certainly not. But I can certainly say I couldnt have afforded it any other way. An MSRP of nearly $47K put it out of reach until the magic of discount + 0% came around. I have been driving it all around for the past 10 days. It has been pure unadulterated joy. I get thumbs up, "OK" hand signs, rolled down windows with big smiles and every other kind of admiration everywhere I go. A huge boost to my self esteem. I adore it!

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  most fun ever - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By my vet - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Car is fun to drive. Just drove car from Florida to Pa and back. No problems with back because seat is very comfortable and the ride is so smooth. The 2004 Vet is the car to buy. Best decisson I ever made was to buy this car

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  Thumber - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jo Ann Page - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I have always stayed with Damiler/Chrylser vehicles, but needed a bigger suv for my family. We looked and looked and finally decided on the 2004 2wd Tahoe. The vehicle is huge inside and still sporty on the outside. It is the best vehicle Ihave ever owned. I would recommend it to anyone on the market for a SUV with style and power.

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  chevy tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Adaphine - October 4 - 2:00 am

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. this is my second Tahoe, I will be buying again. the comfort and quality can not be matched

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  Great Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mmaher - October 3 - 5:06 pm

  I have owned several different makes of trucks (Ford,Dodge and Toyota) and I am very impressed with the Silverados performance, style and handling. It is a great vehicle in all areas including price. My last truck was a S10 ZR-2 but the Silverado is a much better vehicle and gets the same gas mileage as the 4.3 V6 in my S10. Can not say enough good things about this vehicle! This is THE best truck I have ever owned! PS my other truck I still own is a Toyota!