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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  checkit - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mcghee - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I love my car that I just recently purchased for a wonderful price. It is great on the gas mileage and oil use. I love the way the car looks, sounds, and the comfort. It is my first new car I to own everything else was late eighties model. I do want to purchase a spoiler and keyless entry for it here soon.

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  Love My Tracker! - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By mbridges - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I love my new Tracker and so do all my friends! Its attractive, fun, dependable. This is my first SUV so I wasnt sure what to expect for road trips. Last month I took my first 8- hour drive, and it was very smooth - so much so that I had to watch my speed! Im pleased with all the features I got for the price.

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  perfect - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By charles Henthorn - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Our 2002 Northface Avalanche is the best truck weve ever driven. The handeling is great, easy to drive, very comfortable. I call it my Mercedes on steroids. It always performs like a pro, always able to do what I need. From flowers to plywood, to china cabinets to family. Very minimal road noise and good sound system. The mileage is good for a truck of this size. Would not give it up for anything on the road today.

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  try it , youll like it - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By frankiejr - December 20 - 2:00 am

  one test drive and youll see why its the best sports car around!

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  Dont go Tahoe - Same price Suburban - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By cacollies - December 20 - 2:00 am

  The size is wonderful compared to its sister the Tahoe. The only issue I have (since I own one of similar size 94 Full Size Blazer)is you do not have a lot of space for traveling unless you fold down the back seats. The Tahoe is restrictive. Where as the Suburban you have plenty of space without compromise. For the money (Tahoe and Suburban cost about the same ballpark figure)I would highly recommend you choose the Suburban. This is a vehicle you will not outgrow. The truck lasts for years. I see plenty of old 70s and 80s models still going in decent condition. You cant say that about most car models today.

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  2005 Silverado Crew Cab - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By djdizee - December 20 - 12:36 am

  Awesome truck! The only thing I wasnt pleased with was the comfort of the seats on a long trip but any seat would be uncomfortable on a long trip. Was in a major, frontal car accident with this truck and it was the only thing that saved my life!

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  Fast and Fun - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By titababy - December 19 - 10:00 am

  When I first got in the car it seemed to just fit me like a glove.I stepped on the gas and I took off like a bolt of lightening. It looks real sporty and it is real roomy.I dont feel like Im in a sardine can.I love it........

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  2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By kparks - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I have driven this vehicle for the past 2 years and I still love it. The SUV is fun to drive overall. Mechanically the SUV has been excellant and Chevrolet has provided a service level above my previous experience with them. Looks like they have finally come around with providing first class customer service.

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  Great car! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By sthaydock - December 19 - 2:00 am

  My Chevy Venture has been excellent. The adjustable seat configurations are great for my family of 5 plus a dog. The car has been very reliable. I would definitely get a new one.

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  Best Vette yet. - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jim2914 - December 19 - 2:00 am

  We took our car on a 550 mile trip and we were getting 23 mpg. I just put in 6th gear cruise control at 65mph. When we got there we felt great. To do this trip in our 62 or 69 or 73 or 78 would have been painful. Best vette yet.