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:

• 

  nice truck - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By king - February 5 - 10:00 am

  i liked it and i suggest it

• 

  Awesome truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Dystin - February 5 - 10:00 am

  This truck kicks a** so powerful will take out a Dodge anyday.

• 

  THIS THING ROCKS - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By JAKE BROOKS - February 5 - 10:00 am

  THE THING I LIKE ABOUT THE SS ITS AWD LOOKS AND ITS ALL 1 COLOR

• 

  My Baby HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jeanie - February 5 - 5:40 am

  I purchased my HHR LT in MD. I drove it from Maryland to Florida, then from Florida to Texas. I am 66 years old, and never felt more safe as I was alone on this trip. It handled with such ease and I could "whip" in and out of traffic when necessary. It handled like a dream on my trip. It really held the road with great accuracy and definition. HHR, where have you been all my life? Youre beautiful and I love you.

• 

  My moms truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By jackalous - February 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my moms truck, but I have borrowed it enough to say I love this little truck. My mom bought it repoed from a bank who knew nothing about it other than they wanted their money. Its got a great 4.3L V6. The ZR2 is a great package (style and delivery). The pushbutton 4x4 is a dream in MN winters! Only complaint is the 3rd door. Its great to have and use, but doesnt fit well! Other than that, great truck!

• 

  Solid vehicle - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tgaines14 - February 4 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my truck for this vehicle when baby #3 came along. It has been a very solid vehicle for me. I have had no major problems with it, and I just went over 104,000 miles.

• 

  No problems - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Scott Williams - February 4 - 2:00 am

  Since I traded in my Tahoe I will always keep my Suburban. It is a very dependable vehicle with no problems to report.

• 

  More car for the price - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By pdm777 - February 3 - 2:23 pm

  I looked at the 09 Equinox and was not impressed loved the Traverse...but a little pricey and did not like the gas mileage...when I saw an add for the 2010 Equinox I had to go look...it was totally tricked out with more room, and better MPG and a total redone. Loved that it was also less expensive and had more features added.

• 

  Get One - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By talkitup - February 3 - 2:00 am

  The power of this vehicle is well designed for its size. Fun vehicle to drive even in the snow. The 4WD works very well.

• 

  Good Job Chevrolet ! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By august66 - February 3 - 2:00 am

  I test drove 4 other cars( Focus ZX3, Civic, Protege , Elantra) before deciding on the Cavalier. My choice was easy. For the price, it cant be beat. Fun to drive, decent gas mileage, easy to maintain and very nice looking. Safe also, was invloved in an accident this past weekend where a 2002 Honda Accord ran a red light and hit me squarely on the passenger rear fender and wheel. Car took it and I was able to drive away (a flat tire later) but probably less than 3K damage. The Honda lost its entire front end. I didnt even loose a wheel cover...