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:

• 

  Love it Love it Love it - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Carol - May 2 - 11:36 am

  Traded in my Suburban for Traverse. Have driven Suburbans since 1997...I have never enjoyed a car so much. Gas mileage is 22 on Highway...1 trip to Florida and back...very comfortable. Only one problem...have a burning smell that cannot be located. Seems to be intermittent and 2 dealerships have looked. People stop me all the time to comment on what a great looking vehicle it is. So far, best car I have ever had including 2 Cadillacs.

• 

  Great Offroad vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By StoutZR2 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Looks great, rides great and can tackle any obsticle you throw at it. It has a mean look to it with the lift kit and big tires that come from factory. I really like the third door option. Not bad mileage. I can tow my toys without any problems and when I feel adventurous the truck handles awesome off the beaten path. The best offroad truck I have ever driven that comes from factory. Good job GM,were gonna miss the ZR2 in 04. Lets hope the Colorado keeps up the tradition.

• 

  best under 30K - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By camaro fanatic - May 2 - 2:00 am

  this is by far the best sports car outhtere for under 30k. it has amazing acceleration even with an auto. the interior feels a little cheap and with the t-tops they so tend to rattle a little, but thats nothing i cant get live with considering the car outstanding performance.

• 

  OWNER OF SEVERAL BLAZERS - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By VINNIE - May 2 - 2:00 am

  PERFORMANCE,QUALITY, MECHANICAL,INTERIOR,EXTERIOR AND STYLE ARE EXCELLENT, ONLY FLAW IS LOW MILAGE OF FUEL CONSUMPTION OF THE 6 CY.

• 

  Good - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By James Davis - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I beleive that this car is a really nice suv for a teenager or doing things other than towing, needs a larger engine ro more horsepower and torque

• 

  About Time! - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By C RAT - May 1 - 7:30 pm

  I have always been a Chevy fan. After Chevy dropped the Camaro I was disappointed like millions of others. I hope the brain behind that move got canned. They have now returned with a true performer. Chevy started the muscle car era with the 55 Chevy. They have now built a car that others will follow and try to catch just like the 55. This car is a bargain for what you get! Im very pleased!

• 

  Heartbeats are louder than hoofbeats - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Redrock8100 - May 1 - 8:56 am

  I bought this truck used and got a good deal because of the 8.1L big block in it. This engine is great except for the gas mileage, but who cares. I can outrun just about anything on the road and tow my travel trailer with ease. Better towing than any diesel that I have pulled it with, just a little crappier mileage.

• 

  These cars never die!!! - 1990 Chevrolet Caprice
  By Derek W - May 1 - 2:00 am

  I own a 1990 Caprice with 229,000 miles and still climbing! The car has orginal Tranny and engine also!!! I am getting about 27 miles to the gallon on average city and highway driving. These were great cars, keep your and keep it for a long time because according to GM, they stoped making good cars

• 

  awesome car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By MOOSE - May 1 - 2:00 am

  great car!!!!!!! it is very big on the inside. great gas mileage. chevy needed a car like this. great payments as well!!!!!

• 

  Cavalier LS Sport 2dr - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Duey100 - May 1 - 2:00 am

  The car is delivering more than I expected, especially considering the price. It is very fun to drive, the engine is torquey with a wide power band, it handles well, the ride is decent. I like driving a stick-shift again. The stereo is good. There is a lot of foot room for the driver. I think the car looks pretty good with the ground effects, spoiler, chromed aluminum wheels.