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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  kewl colorado - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By rudy rock - February 2 - 2:00 am

  this car is really great. it is a car that you can reliy on. my experiance was spectacular. i think everybody in the world should get this tru

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  Great Car - BS - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bonita Scott - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. Its beautiful and rides like a dream.

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  2500 HD Crew Cab 6.0 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By dwgmcc - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Great truck cant get better than 13 mph though. Very confortable, lots of power pulls 24 travel traler like its not even there. I would highly recommend this truck.

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  Love my 2004 Trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By danmathers - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Just bought a new 2004 LS after 3 years of a Durango. List $31,600... cash price after incentives: $24,500. Love its drive, much smoother than Durango. Disagree with Edmunds criticism of steering. Very handsome and comfortable. Mileage much better than Durango, pickup very sufficient... nice to be back to 6 cylindars with gas so high. Size, drive and handling perfect. Got Burgundy color and compliments on its appearance. Good tight vehicle with feel of reliability.

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  Its GREAT! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Kickmud69 - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Thios truck is better than any other truck ever

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  Go American - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Marine Infantryman - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I actually bought the 2004 Silverado Z71 short bed with a 5.3 liter 8 cylinder engine, which was not listed. This is my first 4x4 Ive owned but driven and ridden in many others. The Silverado Z71 is by far the best handling and funest to drive truck Ive been in. It might not have the best interior features, but who buys a TRUCK for luxury. This truck serves its purpose and is probably the most dependable in its class. Ive drove the truck through some stuff that Ive seen other new trucks get stuck in; but of course, that was a combination of good driving with the aid of a fine machine, the Silverado Z71.

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  4dr Ex Cab Z71 4WD SB (5.3L V8) - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jack Spence - February 2 - 2:00 am

  XM Radio with Bose speaker package is very nice. When switching between FM and XM you wonder how you ever lived without it. No annoying FM morning DJs and no annoying commercials. Tinting rearview mirror is great. 4x4 provides great traction. Snow, mud, uphill. Bravo for someone finally putting a rear defroster on a truck. Best Fog Lights ever! Provides great lighting to the sides of the truck allowing you to see the sides of the road for any dangers (pedestrians, deer, etc). Also greatly increases the brightness in front of you without blinding oncoming traffic.

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  My Impala Is The Best - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Impala - February 1 - 11:00 pm

  I love my Impala. Its comfortable, roomy and with four doors, Its easy to travel in. Offers a quiet, smooth ride. You feel as if youre sitting still even at 70 MPH.

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  06 Monte-Best of a Tradition - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Alan - February 1 - 8:56 pm

  The only problem with my Monte, is that I should have bought the SS. I have had my Monte for 4 years, and to date, it has been bullet proof. The only problems have been a stale odor from the AC, and some earlier remote key issues. It has 44,000 miles on it, and I have changed my oil every 3,000 miles, and recently switched to Mobil One, and installed a K&N air filter. The brakes are original, and have over 50% remaining. My Monte is a glossy black, with fabric seats (should have been leather), that are too light in color, and show dirt. It is sporty, and can get out of its own way, even with the 3.5 L engine. I have 44,000 miles, and plan to keep my car indefinitely.

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  Believe or not, the best - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By GM Lover - February 1 - 1:26 pm

  Ive heard from so many people that American made automobile is not good as Japaness made. That might be true. It may sound strange. My teenage daughter wanted to buy this Impala SS, not Japaness or other imports. She said "I love Chevy". Driven about 7000 miles so far, and there was no problem at all. Excellent performance(like my Trailblazer SS). Great gas mileage for V8 engine(over 21 mpg with mixed driving). Very comfy and smooth ride. This Impalas interior may lack refinement than some foreign cars. But can they bring a car with roaring V8 under $30,000?