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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  Very nice truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By pwa - August 28 - 2:43 pm

  I drive a lot and now have 65,000 mi on vehicle. This is a great truck that I would recommend to anyone. I really feel safe and love the auto 4wd option. I see a lot of snow and ice and this truck is the most sure-footed vehicle I have ever owned. My only complaint is hard elbow rests.

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  Blazin new trails in my Trailblazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Meurk - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I wanted a bigger vehicle to use for hauling all my stuff and people. The third row seat can actually handle two full size adults, unlike my uncles lame Durango. The in-line six engine is smooth and powerful. I successfully pulled a car trailer with a Camaro on it from Kentucky with no problems. It was like the trailer wasnt even behind my truck. You will soon find my uncles Durango on a Chevy dealers used car lot!

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  love the ride - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By lablover - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I love the ride comfort of this truck and the handling is very nice. I would recommend this to anybody needing a large suv.

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  2004 LT - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By longbow31 - August 27 - 2:00 am

  the car is not real ppretty in from the front.

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  yahoo - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By DDD - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I love this car it is the coolest car and I think everyone should have one and I cant wait to get mine customized in hot pink. Its going to look so cool and it will be the only one like it!

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  My 2001 Suburban - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By John N. Ottey - August 26 - 2:00 am

  My 2001 Suburban has a powerful 5.3 L V8 and on the highway I get 19.5 MPG. I chose a two wheel drive model for better fuel economy, lower cost, less chance of mechanical failure, and because I dont need four wheel drive. I plan on keeping it for 250K miles. If I thought Id resell it after a couple of years I probably would have chosen a four wheel drive model since resale would be easier. I love this truck. It is roomy inside and comfortable for my family. I have four children who all enjoy riding in it, and I dont have to worry about them out-growing it. It has a front bench seat (that I insisted on) and a third row seat with fairly easy access, and

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  My 2003 Avalanche Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Richard J. Ruggiero - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Fantastic riding also the extremely comfortable seats. My wife enjoys the heated seats.Overall view while driving is great and the only complaint are the mirrors are very wide and on a narrow rd you can almost meet oncoming vehicles mirror to mirror. This is my first Avalanche and certainly wont be my last.

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  trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By gyhooya - August 26 - 2:00 am

  great suv, fun to drive, great economy, great engine

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  Great Vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By beak - August 26 - 2:00 am

  More fun to drive than my Vette. Great vehicle on the road and on long road trips. Very comfortable.

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  My mini Volvo - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Gay Mott - August 25 - 7:00 pm

  I see mini Volvo when I look at my Maxx. It took all I had to trade in my SUV, but the Maxx has made it a lot easier. It is super fun to drive and to show off all the neat features in it. VERY well put together car.