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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  Love It! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Kellie - April 23 - 7:03 am

  I love this SUV! It is beautiful inside and out. It handles very well and is not at all bad on gas. I love this car and will drive it until the wheels fall off. After that I will buy another!

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  This is my Fourth Suburban! - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Annette Watkins - April 23 - 2:00 am

  Having owned Chevy Suburbans since the 80s I tried to scale back to a large Car (Lincoln Continental) year I had to come back to a Suburban. There is no other vehicle out there that gives me as much for my money as Chevy does. Whether I have it full of family and friends or lumber, no other vehicle gives me such comfort, style and versitality.

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  BillyBsSSR - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By billyb48439 - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I really love the attention I get when I drive My SSR. Every place I go people young & old ask questions about it. People think it has been custimized by Me. They dont know it is a prodution vehicle made in a factory & a 04 model.I am glad it is made in the USA, in Lansing MI. I would not have bought it, if was not made in USA.

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  I love my Cavalier - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ALE - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I actually volunteer to drive on roadtrips wiht this car. Its fun to drive and with the rising gas prices, it is very efficient.

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  I ENJOY MY NEW CAR - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By suger - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I REALLY LIKE THE CAR. ALTHOUGH IT HAS LOW RATINGS, YES I AGREE THE BODY COULD BE ASSEMBLED BETTER. (LIKE THE VIBRATING DRIVER MIRROR). I NOTICE UNEVEN PARTS AND THE ENTERIOR IS OK BUT NOTHING EXSTRAVAGENT. GAS MILEAGE IS GREAT AND ALL AROUNG I LOVE DRIVING IT AND I GET LOTS OF COMMENTS ABOUT HOW OTHERS LIKE IT.AND THE NEW ORANGE COLOR IS VERY EYE CATCHING.THE 5 SPEED MAKES IT FEEL LIKE ZOOMZOOM.

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  Best American Sports Car - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Lawdogg149 - April 21 - 4:26 pm

  I was one of the original people that ordered this car without ever seeing it. Well let me say this boy was I glad I did. This car meets all my expectations and more. The car is a looker and a performer. Why did GM wait so long to release it? After owning many corvettes and camaros this is by far there best one yet. The car is built to please.

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  Chev Astro Production Should Continue - 2000 Chevrolet Astro
  By JimHomyak - April 21 - 2:00 am

  If you keep them clean, get them serviced on time, and like to haul lots of people and cargo, Astro is a great vehicle. Plenty of power, get-up- n-go and gets great mileage over long trips. Best MPG at 70 to 80 Mph. Averaged 22 MPG from MPLS to ORLANDO running 80% over 70MPH.

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  Chevy Venture - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Baaba - April 21 - 2:00 am

  The Chevy is ur first mini-van. The DVD is great. The seats are leather and comfortable. The featuers are nice- Onstar, rear warning, info. radio and onboard computer. M wife really enjoys it thats all that matters.

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  awesome power - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By JVICTOR - April 21 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS OUR THIRD SUBURBAN AND THEY KEEP GETTING BETTER.HAVE THE BIG BLOCK 8100 (3.73gearing)AND LOVE THE POWER FOR TOWING A BIG TRAILER AND EVERYDAY DRIVING.

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  Great SUV! - 2000 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Rig - April 20 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this Suburban in 2003 and have been driving it for a year. This has been the best car/truck/suv I have ever owned. The engine is powerful and responsive, the brakes are very good and the AC/Heater is fantastic. After test driving a Tahoe and sitting in the back seat, the Suburban was hands down the best Suv if you haul more than 5 people. Have had no problems in the year we have owned it.