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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  A great switch from an SUV - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Pulsifer - June 27 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I decided it was time to trade in our SUV. After looking a little we spotted the MAXX. It was a great alternative to an SUV due to the large storage space in the rear and better MPG. We would highly recommend this car to any family. Only wish we would have gotten the optional DVD player for our child.

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  New Impala - not flashy, but refined - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bluto202 - June 27 - 10:00 am

  A very good car overall. I shopped Camry, Accord, and Taurus before choosing the Impala. Reliability, value for the money, and dependability were key decision criteria.

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  Fun Utility Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MarkP - June 27 - 10:00 am

  The Chevrolet Equinox is fun to drive and offers a lot of functionality. I was able to haul baseball equipment for my sons colt league team all summer with room to spare. The back seats fold down - either both or a 60/40 split. Very convenient. The turning radius is tight, and the vehicle is very easy to park anywhere, whether it is a tight spot in a crowded parking lot, or parallel parking on the street. This utility truck gets great gas mileage, too. The visibility while driving is terrific, and although it is a small utility vehicle, it seems much bigger when you get inside. Plenty of leg room in both the front and back seats.

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  equinox LS - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By equinoxLS - June 27 - 10:00 am

  the equinox is a great suv. the seats are comfortable and there is plenty of leg room in the rear with the seat forward. 185 horsepower engine is strong and shifts smoothly, good acceleration and the engine is quiet.

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  2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By PR Domena - June 27 - 10:00 am

  Awesome detail on this new Trailblazer - inside and out. Several new bow ties in the design - all tastefully done in the new gold. Added chrome touches to the interior add a touch of class. The new gear shift is easier to use and looks great too. Smoother ride with larger tires this year - seating comfort is great with leg support for the driver all the way to the back of the knee.

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  Great Bang for the $$ - 1993 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Steel - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Owned it for 7 years now (2nd owner)and the 1st time it needed a repair (bad fuel pump). Been extremely reliabile with 83K miles and gets unbelievable gas milage for a high performance car. I can get up to 38mpg at 60mph with the mods I made (gave more power too) & avg 22-24 in town with the 6spd. You can not beat it for the money ANYWHERE!!!!

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  One of the best cars ever bvuilt - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Z06 Rocks - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This is the ultimate car for the average joe. Still expensive but with some saving the average person can own one.

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  best truck i ever had - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By showmethemoney - June 26 - 2:00 am

  this is the best truck I ever owened, it is also very good looking. only complant is I need a little more power to pull my 35ft boat. TD

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  Great Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Shelia Harvey - June 26 - 12:07 am

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  I like it! - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By bighouse - June 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Impala, used, last November and have been very pleasantly surprised with the value and performance. Weve taken several long trips(NE Ohio to Fla.) and have really enjoyed the spaciousness and comfortable ride.When family comes we have put three cars seats in the back with no problems! Previously owned a Camry and I honestly like this car better. There have been no problems mechanically.