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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  Great Ride - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Stormy - December 30 - 1:47 pm

  Great car for an extended family. We just added a new baby to our family and the ease of the remote sliding doors on both sides really helps my wife and I get the boys in and out. The DVD players and wireless headsets are awesome. We can listen to what we want and they can watch their kiddy movies. I also love all the safty features, I am glad we bought this one.

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  Safe car to drive - 2001 Chevrolet Metro
  By petsr4ever05 - December 30 - 12:09 pm

  I live out in the country and have to drive 36 miles (one way) to work and back every day. Everyone kept telling me that if I ever hit a deer with my little car, I would not survive the collision. Well, about a month ago I was cruising along at about 60 miles an hour and a big buck jumped right out in front of me. I never had time to even put on the brakes. I hit it broadside going at least 60. The airbags deployed, and I was able to pull over to the side of the road. It killed the deer, and it killed my car (a complete and total loss), but I didnt have a scratch on me. Now I know that even the small cars do have enough protection for the driver to survive that kind of collision.

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  05 LT 3.8 - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By buckshot - December 30 - 8:40 am

  The exterior styling is an acquired taste, but I think it looks great, retro enough to turn heads but not too much. The deep laser blue paint looks great, and has held up very well thus far. Interior is roomy, all controls are easily reached from the drivers seat. The glove box is the only flaw, it isnt fitted tightly enough under the dashboard, and there is an ugly gap. The leather seats are very comfortable, and the heating element does an amazing job. The 3.8l V6 provides OK power, but a v8 with a RWD setup would be best. First gear seems bit sluggish, car would greatly benefit fron a manual trans, or 5 speed auto. handling is OK, the car does roll have body roll, and needs a sway bar.

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  2002 Camaro Convertible - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By camaro02 - December 30 - 12:32 am

  Excellent reliability. I have had this car for almost five years and have spent $0 on repairs, outside of normal maintenance. Gas mileage is great, given the current price of gas. Unique enough that I typically do not see another like it going down the road. Handling is excellent. I drive the car year round and have driven in a foot of snow with no problem (My sons Mazda 626 got stuck!)

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  Great reliable car for the money - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Jason - December 29 - 3:26 pm

  I bought this car from first owner at 105,000 miles. Owner had previously replaced alternator and performed regular maintenance. I currently have 160,000 miles on it. This car had never let me down. Gets great mileage for a car this size. Intake manifold gaskets developed the typical leak on the 3.1 engine and I replaced them myself (I am ASE Master auto tech). AC is cold and transmission shifts smoothly.

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  Fun for Trip - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By KMarrero - December 29 - 11:13 am

  We first saw the car at the LA Auto Show. Both my husband and I loved it! We both automatically agreed on the Lazer Blue Metallic as this is a very unusual color. We drove it over Easter weekend up to Northern California and were very impressed with its long distance fuel economy and its very smooth ride. We get a lot of stares because of the color, but we dont mind. We enjoy the car and our son thinks this SUV "Rocks".

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  Surprised and very happy - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Matt - December 29 - 9:54 am

  I wanted a convertible. I looked at the Sebring, SAAB, some Toyota (I forgot what) and the Mustang. Of all the cars I checked, the Mustang impressed me the most but was not the same fun car as my 67. One cold snowy winter day I saw an 01 Camaro on the used car lot. I took it for a ride and never bought a car so fast. Buying a used high performance convertible is not the safest buy. I bought the extended warranty realizing I was buying a car that may have been previously purchased for speed. It has been great. Did not need the extended warranty. Love the car. I hate to drive it in the winter because it is so attractive. I never want anything to hurt its appearance. Love it a lot

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  The Real Deal - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By BIG BOSS - December 29 - 9:20 am

  Man, all Ive got to say about this truck is that its the best bang for your buck. I gave up a tricked out 03 BMW 330 to hop in this big body truck. The things you can do to it are endless. There is so much room inside. Theres room for all the screens you want to put in it, and if you build a custom box for your subs and still keep the 3rd row. Plenty of ride height, 22s 24s 26s whatever you want. I would never go back to small cars again. If anything Ill upgrade in 2 years and knock off the new Escalade, cause its just sick. If youre thinking about getting the new 07 Tahoe, all Ive got to say is go for it.

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  2005 Z71 - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By natstd - December 29 - 8:30 am

  Im very pleased with my truck. Its well built and has fair to good gas mileage for a four wheel drive.

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  Good car......some flaws! - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By jamie widrig - December 29 - 1:36 am

  I went from a ZR2 Blazer to a Cobalt. I miss the 4WD, but love the fuel economy. I drive approx. 3000mi. per month and have saved a lot in gas $$. But at 18000mi the trans. control module fried, I had to have a whole new sunroof put in within 2 weeks of purchase, the rearview mirror fell off, the e-brake light randomly comes on & i never use the e-brake, the cd player has a mond of its own. When braking hard on the highway, it makes a loud rubbing noise that nobody can figure out. But for the gas $$ I save these are just little things that are under warranty. Cant wait to see what goes wrong once the warranty runs out.