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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  2003 Astro - 2003 Chevrolet Astro
  By Pilant - May 6 - 10:09 pm

  I bought this van to use on boat ramps to put my boat into and out of water. I have used it in Knoxville and around Douglas Lake. The van has been no farther than 50 miles from Knoxville. It was a program vehicle with 4000 miles when I bought it. I traded a 1994 Astro van I bought at West when I bought this one. It still runs like new as one would expect with such low mileage. West has serviced the vehicle twice per year since Ive owned it.

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  Great all-around vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By jc - May 6 - 4:45 pm

  Its been a great car for towing utility trailer, but just ok for 4000 lb boat. Had a great time on 4wd trails in co. Great family vacation mobile too!

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  Nice vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mommysims - May 6 - 9:53 am

  Really like it - turning radius takes a little while to get used to. Fuel mileage in town(usually what I drive) could be better. Highway miles good. Cloth on seats stain easily.

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  Love it! - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By thare - May 5 - 9:00 pm

  I traded in my 2003 Chevy TrailBlazer EXT for the Equinox. The best thing that I ever did.The gas mileage is wonderful. I only fill up once a week instead of twice a week. I travel 50 mile round trip for work and it has helped a lot due to the jacked up gas prices.

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  2008 Cobalt LT - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By spider - May 5 - 8:52 pm

  I really like the powerful engine and great performance. Interior of vehicle lacks some quality as far as comfort level goes but looks great.

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  Worst new vehicle purchase Ive made - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By kokomoan - May 5 - 7:04 pm

  I had the vehicle in for warranty work 11 times. Electrical problems since early on that the dealership said they couldnt find replaced 5 headlamps, 4 brake lamps, and the majority of interior lights while still under warranty. Other items replaced: power window motor, heater control switch, rails for front seat. Today I took it to get u-joints replaced, third front end alignment, rear brake shoes. Mgr said these "shoes" were most expensive he has seen! He said all parts for it are high. Watch out if you need front rotors replaced make inquiry!) gas mileage 13/15.(4 cyl, sticker said 18/25) At present, pwr windows, locks, mirror control, 5 int lights, 3 ext lights not working. 62K miles

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  Chevy Cruze 1LT - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By jpp_computers - May 5 - 6:31 pm

  This is an amazing car. I have only had the car for a day, but I wanted to put a review up. Off the gate this thing picks up speed quick with its turbo 1.4L engine. The handling is superb. recently test drove ford focus sel, kia forte ex, Ford Fiesta, and Honda Fit. Shopping for 3 weeks and 5 applications for loans I was approved for all of them. I am 23, low 600 credit score, with high 600 co signer whos my girlfriend. Chevy got it done with payments just over 330 for 72/mo. The 1LT do come nicely loaded. I will update this review when I have more valid points, but go test drive one of these cars you will be surprised how nice a ride it is.

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  Best American sports car ever made(so far) - 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  By jeffg13 - May 5 - 3:18 pm

  I have had various American muscle cars in my life and also currently own a cadillac ATS turbo 2.0 which is a great car. Like soem other reviewers have stated I always liked vettes but not enough to plunk down the cash for it. Luckily Im at the stage of my life where I cab finally afford a performance machine like the C7. This version is a serious performance machine. In order to get similar performance rfom an import you can easily spend 30-70K more than a well equipped C7. I bought a 2LT, Z51 convertible which i think is a great combo package for 70k. Best performance value on the market hands down and this car not only performs, feels and drives great but is also equally stunning looking

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  Love this truck - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By road1will - May 5 - 1:23 pm

  I love this Tahoe. Ive had several Suburbans before this and have loved every Suburban and Tahoe that Ive had. Mine has the 4.8 so I get about 19mpg city/25hwy. I do wish I had the 5.3 for that extra grunt though..

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  Backbreaker - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Pnut - May 5 - 12:35 pm

  I bought this truck brand new. I could not take the back pain anymore. There was absolutely no lumbar in the seat. Unfortunately, it took some time to figure this out. I had to push the brake pedal to the floor at times to get it to stop. In the beginning, it seemed to have a lot of power for a 4 cylinder. That didnt last long. I started to hear a noise that sounded like metal grinding on metal. That would be the next buyers problem!