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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  Love this SUV - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Frank Clark - January 30 - 8:20 pm

  Had to order the vehicle to get the options and color we wanted but well worth the wait. Took our first road trip within two days of delivery - Jacksonville,FL to Chattanooga, TN yielded 26.6 MPG in regular mode. Return trip in ECO got us 28.5 mpg. Mostly Interstate highway at 70-75 MPH. No problem with acceleration or power in ECO mode on the interstate. Not bad out of the gate. This vehicle is a winner. Glad GM got it right. Comfortable ride, pleasure to drive. Not as quite of a ride as we remember from our test drive, but all in all a great SUV.

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  TorchRed - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Moondogs - January 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my torch red, six speed for a month now and absolutely love it. I sold a 300 ZX after four years and what a difference. A 1000 mile round trip one weekend was so much fun and fast. 33,000 miles - a little wear on the drivers seat, everything works and looks like new. Dunlop 9000 tires are great - hope I dont get a flat! I drive it daily to work and drive my Wrangler for short around town trips - great combo.

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  Impala #1 - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Impala Man - January 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Impala LTZ for two weeks now and can say that it is one of the better cars I have driven in a long time. The car rides and drives great and the 3.9L engine has plenty of power to get the big sedan up and moving. As far as the Bose radio system is concerned I have not had a problem with background "hiss" but have heard that some cars have had this problem so I will count myself among the lucky. All in all this is a great sedan for the money. If you donÂ’t care for the styling and all you have seen it in is pictures you have to see it in person to do it justice. You also have to remember that this car isnÂ’t meant to be edgy its a vehicle that they want to appeal to the masses.

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  Little Red Chevy - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By uncle - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Handles like a sports car. With the five speed standard it really zips.

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  Fun! - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jesusita - January 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car a little over a year ago and have fallen in love with it. I have had a few problems with it lately (alternator, ECM, and now transmission), but with as many miles as is on it, I couldnt expect much less...I cant even think of getting rid of it because it is so unique and fun to drive. Although it is an automatic, the color (purple) and convertible top make it a pleasure to have on even just fairly nice days. The body is still in excellent condition and I recently replaced the top due to some leakage. All-in-all, Im glad I jumped at the deal of buying it.

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  Its a venture! - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Grammy - January 28 - 2:00 am

  We find this a great vehicle for traveling, which we do a lot of. Has some rattles in dash and headliner feels a little loose.

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  Maxx is the only way to go! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By timbo9569 - January 27 - 12:50 pm

  Purchased the Maxx only a month ago, and ever since we pulled it off the lot have loved every feature it has. The stock stereo system in the LT model sounds great. You almost have too much music to choose from with the 6 disc changer in the dash board and the 200+ satellite stations to choose from and then you have your basic radio stations.The Maxx rides great and the kids love the DVD entertainment center in the back. We almost forget we have kids back there at times becuase they are just so entertained by the DVD system. Also love the two sun roofs. This is a great addition to all the other great features of this car. It has alot of power and handles wonderfuly. Overall a great family vehicle

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  On my second one! - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By jlee - January 27 - 8:33 am

  This is my second Monte Carlo SS! I purchased a 2000 and had zero issues with it. I liked it so well that I purchased a 2004. Im a sales rep and put many miles on a car. It drives and rides just like my uncles Cadillac Eldorado! I suspect that it sits on the same platform. Ive seen pics of the 2006 and think its awesome...Im making plans to get it as soon as it hits the market.

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  camaro ss - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By hart - January 27 - 2:00 am

  no problems here the perfect every day driver owner of a 2002 camaro ss

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  I love this truck!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Kye McElhaney - January 27 - 2:00 am

  From the moment I test frove this vehicle, I was sold. For the price, I found no vehicle in its class that could come close. I tested the Ford Expedition on a rather long trip and was not impressed at all with its room or ride. I was sold on the suburban for all the extras that came with it and at the cost. This is a "must try" from anyone in the market for a family friendly SUV.