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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  Americas Car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By shuka - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Best bang for the buck in the world. Best car made in America. Cant wait for the C-6!

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  Great Car! - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Mike Breckle - August 3 - 12:23 am

  I love this car. It could use a little more power but Ill say that about anything. The interior is alright although the center console has a flimsy top. Otherwise this car is definitely fun to drive and definitely looks good!

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  Great Ride - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By Balloons - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Great Ride super look!

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  Impala - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Meredith Evans - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Only complaint is poor heating system for side passenger and rear seat passengers. Poor circulation system. sHOULD HAVE REAR SEAT VENTS

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  Good Cheap Car - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ooaiiau - August 1 - 2:00 am

  I made it through a lousy dealership and got an awesome little car. My only complaint is the power windows. Sure it could use more power, but I already knew i wasnt buying a corvette. For the price & what it is, this is an excellent and very reliable car.

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  Fun And Functional - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By J. Nichols - July 31 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Chev Avalance! What an excellent vehicle that is fun to drive and functional too! Every week I drive over mountain passes, rain,snow sleat, hail or sun.... the Avalanche gets it done. I also drive 30 to 50,000 miles a year and must add that it a very comfortable vehicle to drive too!

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  fun car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By purplechicken - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Excellent HP,Need to have the KN air filter system which does bring up the Performance.Overall very good buy and is fun to drive.

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  2002, 2004 Impala LSs, husband, wife cars - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dale Riggenbach - July 31 - 12:30 am

  Dreadful Edmonds? How untrue, I traded my wifes 2004 for a 2010 Ford Taurus SEL, what a Mistake!!!!!-lasted 10 months traded it. No driver legroom, blind spots, Too Big console, bad ergonomics!!! As for the Impalas, 2004 only normal maintenance: Oil changes, tranny fluid at 55K, tires, traded it at 65K miles. 2002 Impala, oil changes, tranny fluid x 2, lubed intermediate shaft-steering, computer for car, tune ups, tires sold at 138k for neighbors daughter. I found with regular maintenance, normal driving these cars last a long time. Solid car with an excellent engine, 3800, good ride, quiet depending on tires, solid performer, and very good on gas. Gas mileage, 18-20 city, 28-30 highway. Traded the lousy Ford for a 2011Buick Lucerne CXL, replaced 2002 with a 2014 Chevy Impala. I normally dont comment on forums, but looking for my daughter a car found a 2000 Impala LS, checked Edmunds for their review, and had to say something. In conclusion, I certainly dont agree with Edmonds on this one!!!

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  Thoroughly Satisfied with This Car - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By RichardT - July 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Sedan model(bench front seat) with the options package(3.8 V6, antilock brakes, etc) which basically makes it the LS without the trim. I can only say that Chevrolet REALLY got it right with this car. It is very comfortable on long trips, easy to handle, rides very smoothly/solid grip on the road, and VERY good mileage I average 26+ mpg in town and on a recent road trip to Toronto (1050 miles) averaged 31+ mpg - at an average speed of 75 mph. To me, the Impala has all the advantages of a full-size car, yet very economical to own. Aside from the small glove compartment and placement of the cruise control, I am totally satisfied.

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  Why I bought a Z06 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 04torchredz06 - July 29 - 2:00 am

  I was in the market for a new & there was an article in a car mag that tested 4 similar cars at Willow Srpings Race in CA, one that I am intimately familiar with, having driven it many times. They were: BMW M3, 350Z, Porsched 911, and the Z06. The Z06, not surprising to me bascily won every category,and was the second cheapes. The M3was not my style , the Porsche while nice, but too much $. I drove a 350Z & my Eclipse GST with 120K miles will beat that car easily in everything but braking. Yes it is modifed. Found a dealer that would sell it for $45,700, $7000 below sticker, and POWER Chevy in South Bay arranged the deal and all I had to do was sign the papers.