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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  Best Vehicle in 3 classes - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By trsmith - March 1 - 2:00 am

  If your looking for a SUV, truck or mini-van this is it except better. Its all of the above. Plenty of room for cargo and people. It tows up to 5000 lbs(AWD version)and seats 6 people without feeling cramped, 8 for those short trips. The LT version provides a luxury feel to this "mid size Van". I never driven a more stable vehicle on snow,water and ice (again AWD). Our initial intention was to buy a larger SUV (smaller SUVs are no comparison) and when we looked at overall interior space, power and fuel economy we became ASTRO owners and yet saved about 10,000 dollars.

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  Kudos to the new Malibu! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By PastorT - March 1 - 2:00 am

  It is awesome. My wife and I hated the old Malibu! We love the new one!

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  incredible car bargain - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By bruce gray - March 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is everything you could ask for. The styling is the best since the 60s and the performance is unbelievable. It has all the acceleration you could want and will get 32 mpg on the highway using Amoco Super Premium Gas(45 miles to the tank more than it will get on ANY OTHER SUPER PREMIUM GAS)

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  Love it so far! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By MikeZ71 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving a Tahoe for the past 5 years, and have been an SUV guy for quite some time. I decided to try a pickup so bought a new 2004 Z71 and I love it. The overall ride is very close to my old Tahoe but the performace is much better. Im very happy with my decision to buy this truck.

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  The REAL Impalla SS - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By george bowles - February 29 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent automobile. I will be glad when GM brings back more rear wheel drive cars. The SS provides sports car performance and handling with 4 door sedan room and comfort.

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  Chevy Sivverado 1500 - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Randy - February 28 - 1:36 pm

  Great performance.This is the first auto transmission truck Ive owned going back to a 1972 Chevy (3-speed) and several 4 and 5 speed manual Chevys and one GMC since then. Its nice not to shift, since Im getting old!

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  Every thing I paid for - 1999 Chevrolet Metro
  By Merle Stahl - February 28 - 2:00 am

  It will beat most so called "high mileage hybrids". Have always gotten between 50 & 55 MPG in city traffic. It backs off to 45 MPG on highway at 75 MPH. It is peppy, but is slower as you add more passengers. Had heater switch & thermostat replaced under warranty. Dollar for dollar you cant beat it.

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  Love My Camaro - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By PONY H8R - February 27 - 2:00 am

  My camaro was my first car and its been with me for years. While I have had some problems with it, (replaced window motor and A/Ctrouble), the car has been great. With 140,000 miles on it, shes still ready to get up and go. I dont know why people complain about gas mileage, I manage to get 25- 26 MPG consistantly on my V8, (that is with premium gasoline of course).

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  Traded in Jeep G.Cherokee for Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By v68j90j98 - February 27 - 2:00 am

  So far so good. Everything is in working order and there is less road noise and roll than the Cherokee. I am much happier now that we went back to Chevy.

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  Just like the first time... - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Edna - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful, reliable (@135,000 miles), powerful, sure replaces my husband... This car has been in a lot of places and has been driven tough (hey, im a woman) and has never given up, still running strong (with only a v6), looks great (how about a hot chick in a camaro?)...in 9 years the only things replaced have been the oil, the struts and the clutch, and can still kick your a**!