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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  vette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ralphvb - September 29 - 2:00 am

  great car. interior needs some updates

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  2001 mercer review - 2001 Chevrolet Express
  By jlmercer - September 28 - 2:00 am

  love this van we do alot of camping and it realy fits the bill , b

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  Venture LS is Great! - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By kellyhawkmark - September 28 - 2:00 am

  We replaced a 1998 Ford Windstar with a 2003 Chevy Venture and we couldnt be more pleased. Venture has lots of room for people because it seats 8 instead of 7. Its got less horsepower than Windstar, but it still seems to have the same amount of get-up-and-go. The features that come with the LS make the Venture a great value for the money. If you are in the market for a used vehicle, you can easily get into a Venture with alot of extras for less than you can get into an older Ford Windstar. Venture is comfortable, easy to drive, has a smooth ride and still has room for all of your stuff.

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  Mikes Avalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By camaromike - September 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought the "without body hardware" model and what a nice change it is! This has so far been one of the nicest riding,running,and looking vehicles I have ever owned.So far absolutely no problems with my Avalanche. Great dealer service and honest advice.

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  Good - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By J-dog - September 28 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is the best suv i have ever had.I recomend it to all of you who are looking to buy a full size suv.

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  Best Car ever built - 1991 Chevrolet Lumina
  By chessbruno - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 170,000 on it. I hoped it would last 6 months. I paid 1450.00 and it lasted 6 years!! I drive like a bat outa heck and this car has never failed me. Still goin wuth 270,000 miles on it!

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  Chevy Astro - 2003 Chevrolet Astro
  By Savages - September 27 - 2:00 am

  We LOVE this van! We have 2 of them & they are the best deal in town!

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  the greatest truck ever - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By BIGDOGJT14 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  It is a great truck it has never got stuck in the snow and never had any problems. It picks up speed like nothing. I would say the best truck to buy!!

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  Works for Me ! - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dadbo - September 27 - 2:00 am

  When my lease for my 2000 Impala was up, I went back to my Chevrolet dealership. Being 63" and nearly 300 pounds, I was a bit apprehensive about going to a smaller vehicle. I was amazed how comfortable the Malabu was. I just drove from Florida to New York and was comfortable the entire trip. Kudos to Chevrolet !!

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  Fun Truck - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By mustangman68s - September 26 - 2:00 am

  First off, Ive always been a Ford man. But I got a great deal on this truck by buying it from my sister. It has been a great truck ever since I have owned it. Only little things went wrong such at starter going out (granted I had just been off-roading the heck out of it), alternator going out and replacing a leaky heater core. Great truck!