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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  Blacky - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By gocampn - April 12 - 12:34 pm

  I had rented one on vacation and when I decided to trade my Expedition this was one of the trucks that interested me. The Ford Escape did not turn me on. The Ford Edge still doesnt have the style this does in my opinion. So far I really like it, and love the looks. Mine is a black LT AWD with tan leather,snazzy!

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  Olympic 10 - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By DDRO - April 12 - 7:46 am

  My camaro arrived 2 1/2 months after ordering it and believe me the wait was worth it. Mine is the red jewel tintcoat and looks like Dorothys ruby slippers, absolutely gorgeous. This car turns heads and gets thumbs up everywhere I go. Ride and handling is perfect. Luxurious yet gripping. The base 3.6 liter engine is in one word powerful. Mileage is averaging 23 mpg combined hwy and city, better than my Cadillac STS. THe interior is sensible and standard equipment is loaded with features. My options were the connectivity package, automatic transmission, and the rs package. Everything anyone needs. Acceleration is great, interior noise unbelievably quiet and the ride is phenomenal. Great car

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  Love the Monte SS - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By cyanidekid - April 12 - 5:26 am

  Bought the car off craigslist through a private party without even hearing it run. It had 45,000 miles on it. I rented a car trailer from uhaul and drove 2 hrs to pick the car up. It is a (Competition Yellow) 2003 Limited Edition SS w/ the High Sport appearance package, fully loaded. The car now has 138,000 miles on it and it runs like a champ. I havent had to put any $$ into it besides regular maintenance and it gets excellent gas mileage for its size. Its big enough to fit 5 comfortably and the trunk is HUGE! The Monte Carlo is definitely sexy and demands attention on the roads, but its not a "race" car... unless you want to spend the extra $$ for the modifications.

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  An outstanding truck/SUV - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By dlz - April 12 - 4:06 am

  So far my Av has been a great performer. Looks terrific in Metallic Gray and 20" rims. Locker rear end handles snow, ice and mud very well even in 2WD. Nicest, roomiest rear seats this side of a Ram Megacab. Cargo versatility is ridiculous- stuffed it to the brim with drywall and even rolled out a sleeping bag and spent the night in it when no hotels could be found! The ultimate highway cruiser-like a Cadillac. The fuel consumption readout helps keep your driving style conservative. The blind spots are big but the mirrors provide very good vision and the parking sensors are very accurate, even on something like a skinny pole. Im very pleased with my Av!

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  Great Small Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Chevy/Isuzu Whatever - April 11 - 5:15 pm

  I leased this truck over a full size truck for the cost, better mileage and added space in the garage. It was a great choice as it has met every task given with a far less expense of the full size trucks. I have pulled trailers, hauled materials and even been off road a few times all the while satisfied with the purchase. Given gas prices I love being able to drive a truck and getting 18 mpg in the city. I wished I would have purshased the truck instead of leasing it. I definitely would have kept it.

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  LTZ is the best version for 1993! - 1993 Chevrolet Caprice
  By JBs LTZ - April 11 - 2:45 pm

  I have driven this car to death. Bought it with 45K used. At 75K, blew the engine but wasnt upset. I was glad! It was covered by my extended warranty! The new engine was great! Now after 150K on the newer engine and 215K on the car it has developed a condition where it eats radiators every 9 months to a year. Its sad. I havent been able to find anyone that can fix it. Some guys said it could be a bad head gasket or even electrical gremlins. I dont know. I want to keep the car but with gas prices out of control I cant afford the gas for this car any longer.

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  No:1 truck to buy - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By homealone069 - April 11 - 2:09 pm

  I have a 2006 Silverado Pickup,2500 HD 4x4.Ive owned chevys most of my life,because of the performance,and reliability.This truck from the first day going out hunting,going through scrub-oak,blazing new trails,climbing the sides of mountains on the nastiest roads you ever want to imagine,going through water 3 feet deep,and it keeps on going.When I needed the power it was there,wether pulling a trailer up 6% grades in 6"s of mud,and it never quit.Ive done all these things will my truck,and its still in great shape,and it has never been in the shop for any malfunctions.They just need to make the front bumper narrower,and raise the truck about 2"s higher.Thats the only change there shouldbe

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  Past Chevy Lover But No More - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Terry - April 11 - 12:59 pm

  First let me state of letting everyone know my heart and soul is Chevrolet but I will never buy any more Chevys. I have had a lot probles with the truck brakes, rear end, and now the one that takes the cake is the drive line a double cardan joint that no drive line shop will give you any kind of repair warranty it and the reason there giving is its an engineering problem. But in short I was going to buy a Camaro when it came out but I keep my money in my pocket

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  Has its flaws but amazing overall - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Craig - April 11 - 12:53 pm

  Owned the car about a year now and have had basic things go out due to their age. Car gets up and goes and just wants to keep going. My car was involved in a crash and sustained minor front end damage and my rear tires have little to no tread and my foot is made of lead so I dont get the gas mileage I should

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  The Best large SUV made - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By CJ - April 11 - 11:50 am

  I have had my Chevy suburban for nearly 9 years, I have thought of selling it for a newer SUV but it is so reliable and it handles great in all weather conditions, I just cant part with it. It can pull our boat or camper, take the baseball equiptment and players to the field, or pack our college student up for school. It also fits all my daughters comp. dance equiptment, and I can fit the full size garment rack in it, without taking it apart. I dont travel very far on normal weeks, so I only have to fill the gas tank every 3 weeks. Great family vehicle.