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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  Finally Got It - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Merlin - July 20 - 2:00 am

  I first saw this truck at the Detroit auto show 3 years ago. I knew right then I had to have it. The versatility and comfort for long trips has sold me. It will haul 6 people or just 3 people and our kayaks and all our gear.

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  Boyhood dream a reality - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By pdmclu - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Superb build quality, awesome power, great styling. This is the best automobile I have ever owned.

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  Boyhood dream a reality - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By PDM - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Superb build quality, awesome power, great styling. This is the best automobile I have ever owned.

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  My Second Caprice and still love them - 1995 Chevrolet Caprice
  By Attila - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I also owned a 93 caprice with a 305 and just downright love the additional power of the LT1 V8. The dash is a lot better although I would prefer an analog spedometer and a tach. The new larger side mirrors were a great improvment. If you get a hold of a police model, it has great handling for the size of vehiclewhile still holding a bunch of people and cargo. This 2 ton vehicle is capable of embarrasing most import owners while your Lt1 equiped versions can beat many mustang gts as weall as the much hyped about Mercury Marauder.

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  The 94 Z28 - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By HMCRM - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I have wanted a Z28 for a few years now, I have always liked how they looked, handled, etc. After having finally bought one I can definately say I wasnt wrong. The car is just gorgeous...everything in and about it just seems to be perfectly tuned. From the sport suspension to the engine and transmission, each piece of the car seems to fit perfectly together, giving it that American Muscle Car feel and performance. Out of everything I have raced with it so far, the only thing that could beat me was a 2001 Z28, so if you are buying this car to be the fastest you definately wont be disappointed.

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  the one - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By David R - July 19 - 2:00 am

  other than wiper motor i love everything about my blazer. its comfortable to drive,its roomy and a blast to drive

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  I Love My Avalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By EZLucas - July 19 - 2:00 am

  At first I didnt like the looks of the Avalanche. Neighbors bought one and I soon began to like the utility then the looks began to attract me. So I picked up a white full armor unit and I love it! 10K so far and no problems. I get from 15 to 21 mpg which os great for a big car/truck like this. My cousins 2003 Expedition gets 13 to 16 mpg so the Chevy gets an excellent on mpg. The vehicle is comfortable, drives like a luxury car has utility like a truck. I highly recommned this vehicle to anyone interested in a vehicle that does it all. Super Job GM! Oh by the way the 5.3 Avalanche will smoke the 5.4 Expedition throught the 0-60 and the 1/4 mile!

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  350Z - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jim - July 18 - 6:10 pm

  This car replaced our 350Z, which was our 2nd car. While its not as much fun to drive, its a lot more practical. Ive owned other SUVs over the years. This rides as well as our current Cadillac CTS. In fact, we have a lot more fun driving the Equinox. GM is starting to get it right. Hope its not too late.

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  LOVE IT! - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jeanine - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 15,000 on it. In one year I put over 24,000 on it. It still ran beautifully. I had no "major" problems. The plastic did start to crack and make little peices fall off like the seat belt cover. However this is a small price to pay for the relability and the hassle free ownership of the car. I just totaled the car by rear-ending someone going 65mph. I have to say if it werent for the air bags and the strudyness of the car, I would have a lot more than bruises on my body. Id reccommend this car to anyone, in fact I just bought a 97!

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  Lift Your Spirits - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Alien - July 18 - 2:00 am

  If you ever need to lift your spirits, this is the car to drive. Super fast excelleration when you need to get up and GO with LS1 V8 328HP - Corvette engine. This car is a real head turner! For a fair weather car, not meant for snow, handles exceptional in heavy rain. I have dealer installed quad exhaust - its fun when young kids ask to hear it rumble! Body syle, build, and paint resist dings, easy to detail, and make the car lighter for speed. I never grew up wanting a Mitsubishi - I owned a 1973 Camaro - Chevy has come a long way with the 2000 SS... a REAL muscle car!