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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  Cynthiana - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By cynthiana - March 16 - 1:17 pm

  Traded in an Oldsmobile Sillouette. Did see a particular need for a van & also the discontinuance of Olds. Always have been a family car person. Bought the Impala here in PA (Monesson). Been completely satisfied. Only long tripwas to Columbus, GA & back to Pgh area PA. Great gas mileage. Once on the open hiway, I set cruise control on 61 or 62. I do not fight traffic.

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  $24 Grand! This Car Exceeds Expectation - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Darren Roker - March 16 - 8:16 am

  You gotta be kiddin me! 24 thousand, and this vehicle rides, handles, feels every bit as good as my wifes BMW 3 series, which cost almost double! The gas mileage and quiet 4 cylinder engine are truly the best I have witnessed to date.

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  99 Monte Carlo - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Referee - March 16 - 2:00 am

  after 4 yrs little or minor problems I couldnt fix myself. My wifes commute car, she is a teacher.

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  Great buy - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By cueq33 - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Powerful and Classy. It could use better fuel mileage. It has everything a Tahoe could have but it has a bed. Worth getting the Lt package.

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  Wonderful! - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Catherine Spahn - March 16 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It is fun, chic and very sporty. The radio is great, great system, and the interior is very confortable to sit in, even for a long period if time.

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  Silverado - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By rickmcdik - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Love this truck. Have never had any problems. Rides great and has plenty of power.

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  2002 Avalanche Review - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dueeas - March 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this one used, but Im happy with it. It has some air noise that I dont like, but the ride and performance is great. I havent had it for a year yet, so Im still learning.

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  My Avalanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By lizard2872 - March 16 - 2:00 am

  This is a really nice truck

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  even better - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By denrich8608 - March 16 - 2:00 am

  had an 02 LS. Perfectly good and reliable car but the rebates and GMCard money got me into an 04 with more options and a lower payment. I expected it to be same/same. Surprised the the new LS feels more refined. Bought the upscale LS with bucket seats, Bose, + trip computer/stearing wheel controls. Purchased the 5.3 and got 15+mpg first 2 tanks and 16+ third tank. Golly, darn.....all this power and size and repectable milage to boot. Love my Tahoe

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  Amazing - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Allaboutebay3 - March 16 - 2:00 am

  You should buy one, awesome