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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  Fun beyond your wildest dreams - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By StArrow68 - January 10 - 2:00 am

  Interesting thing is that I never thought Id own a Corvette, not on my radar. However, when looking to replace a daily driver it turned out to have major advantage, I fit. At 63" it is surprising how many cars I cant either get into or sit in comfortably, notably the XK8. The C5 at least in its later years is a bullet proof touring dream. Loads of room, great mileage on the highway with the 6 sp and my wife noted how comfortable it was on it trip home, 1350 miles to get back to CA where none of the dealers would go below MSRP at the time.

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  Great Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By revump - January 10 - 2:00 am

  I just pulled my 1995 Jimmy to the NW. The Tahoe was better than all my expectations except for gas, but even that was acceptable. It handled great in snow and we had a lot of it. I am completely satisfied with it so far. I have made one long trip and put about 6000 miles on it so far.

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  Fun SUV - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Pawel - January 9 - 7:40 pm

  This vehicle is fun to drive, smooth, and has a few ponies behind that gas pedal. Compared to my 2000 Tahoe z71 and 05 Avalanche z71, my 2007 Tahoe LT 3lt is just great. Took it for a 3 hour ride with 4 kids this weekend, going up and down those hill on Mass pike I got 19.4 miles to the gallon. I mean, how can you beat that in an SUV. I love it. I think it handles really great, acceleration, cornering, going fast around sharp bends, and yeah braking. And all in all, this is coming from a GM Tech, Im really amazed with this vehicle and its quality. What a great comback for GM. Go ahead, test drive one, you wont leave the dealership without one.

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  I saw a Dodge SRT10 in the Ditch! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Stunts - January 9 - 2:13 pm

  This is a great truck. I hope they continue to make it because I want a new one every 3 years. I chose the SS because of the All Wheel Drive and Extended Cab. Sure a Dodge SRT10 maybe faster at the top end but not off the line. My AWD hooks up and Im out of there while the Dodge sits and spins. And lets see the Dodge forge snow and ice! Not gonna happen. And after I beat the snow storm and make it to town, I can throw plenty of food and beer behind the seats (Extended Cab!) and still get up to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The exhaust note is phenomenal. The transmission shifts as smooth as the one in my Mercedes E420. This truck rocks!

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  I LOVE my Maxx! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By HeatherJ - January 9 - 7:20 am

  I bought my Maxx LT used with almost 90,000 miles on it. I knew I wanted this car, & I researched it & found a great deal at a local car lot. Since buying it I have had very little trouble. Replaced the thermostat within the first few months & I had to replace something with the AC & it was over $500, but that is it! Sometimes the hatch wont open, but I have figured out a few tricks to get it to work. I take my car camping, it is used for road trips, I drive in the snow- I can do anything! Everyone always loves my car once they have been it. My best friend went & bought a Maxx too- but hers is newer than mine and a LS. She likes my 04 LT Maxx better!

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  avalanche strong truck - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By alaskan - January 9 - 2:00 am

  good truck. Dependability on all terrain.good looking truck with nice style. for me itsthe best that chev. Truck I ever drove.

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  my z06 - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Judy & Lorenzo - January 9 - 2:00 am

  everything a sports car should be! when a car with a cost of less than 50K out performs 100K + cars it is truly satisfying! 400HP+ & 22/28 mpg & no gas guzzler tax, even the green community has little to complain about.I use this car to compete on a club level & out of the box its outstanding A++ Chevrolet!!!!

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  Fun Sedan - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gossett - January 8 - 3:00 pm

  Fun car to drive. Lots of power and handles great. Gas mileage less than advertized but who cares? The interior is pleasing and confortable. The Bose system is great.

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  A+ Transportation - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Snowy2004 - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Before purchasing my Aveo I must have read hundreds of reviews. So far anything negative I have read has not applied and I have 2000 miles on vehicle already. Acceleration is not a problem in the least bit. Also, it handles nicely on the highway at high speeds. Being able to adjust the seat height is also a plus. I could go on forever about how much I love this car. I think its a great first car or a new car for someone who usually purchases used.

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  3 months now - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By scraphappy - January 8 - 10:00 am

  after looking for and researchig new cars for 6 months this fit all my family of 5 requirements at a bargin price.