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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  no need for improvement - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By terry schulz - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I have owned several vettes and even 4 other cars. This is by far the best. A true allaround sports car. That no weather can stop. Ireally dont know how they could improve it.

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  fun car - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By sparkskab - April 11 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best. Its goog for the kids because it has a t.v. in it. If I were you I would get it!!!!!

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  To the MAXX! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By browntravis - April 10 - 11:50 pm

  I researched this vehicle extremely well. The European body styling really makes this car an eye catcher. People always stop and ask me what it is and compliment on the styling. The 3.5L V-6 engine makes for smooth, powerful ride. This car is very roomy and the back seats slide back, forth, and recline. Very cool! Definitely some great standard features. Great sound system. Standard rear moonroof, traction control, and power driver seat. This car is an all around good choice for persons of any age or family status.

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  LTZ - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Leakenkans - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Wife gets in. Top goes up. Down the road she goes/\.

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  happy - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Big Nasty - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I like this vehicle

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  Great Truck! - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Larry Cornell - April 9 - 10:23 am

  This is the best truck I have ever driven. The comfort and handling is excellent. I have driven this truck for 16 months and 23000 miles and not a rattle or squeak, very quiet and just very enjoyable to drive. Thank you Chevrolet!

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  Equinox but not equal - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By abethecat - April 9 - 10:00 am

  Terrific Value. My first domestic vehicle in 20 years. I compared BMW X3, Volvo XC 90, Lexus 330 and Acura MDX. Although the interior is not the best appointed in the class, the exterior is a grabber. I loaded mine up to be fair with the competition. With my GM supplier discount I paid $24,455 and got $1000 truckfest rebate. I like the no hump in back for kids to get in and out easily. Fuel economy is better than average, but I was suprised my insurance co. rated it a 16. I am looking forward to take it on vacation and see how it does on a longer ride. Maybe GM is on the right track to bring back the aging yuppies!

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  New SS Impala - What are you waiting for? - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By garsarno - April 9 - 5:46 am

  Just purchased the car on 1/27/07. A real performance family car. Comfortable, roomy, an ideal business vehicle with the flip up rear seat bottom cushions for luggage/briefcase storage without marring the leather seat. Large trunk / fit and finish very good. Standard remote start and XM satellite radio / OnStar.

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  Nice vehicle - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By schwinn - April 8 - 2:00 am

  The Blazer is fun and easy to drive. I feel it should get better fuel milage considering a silverado gets about the same yet is an 8 cylinder not a 6. This is my second blazer and a common problem is the failure of the balljoints. The engine and tranny are strong and power is there when needed.

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  Awsome - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By bulletman - April 8 - 2:00 am

  My Bright Rally Red, Z28 convertible with the sport package is a real eye catcher. It sounds great and runs fast. To bad this is the last year sold.