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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  My last truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jim Phelan - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I love puck ups. I had a 1992 Silverado that has been a great truck. My 92 had 120,000 miles on it and is still running strong. I purchased my 2004 silverado as my 3rd family vehicle. It runs great, I hope to keep it for a long time.

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  Great Van... a True Life-Saver!! - 1998 Chevrolet Express
  By Stevemko - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Our 98 Chevy Express Van came with the luxurious Stealth conversion package. This vehicle was a true joy to drive --- responsive, comfortable seating, excellent view, ergonomic cabin layout and other super-duper features. Whether driving to Disney World or shopping for groceries, we traveled in splendid comfort. Four years and 110,000 miles later, it still ran in tip-top condition. Recently, we accidentally rolled over this van in an accident on an icy stretch of I-81. Thanks to God, and to the Chevy Express design, no one was injured. It was indeed a miracle and a tribute to this wonderful van!

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  cool runner - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bagaljack - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Great little car, fast, great handling, chicks dig it. Drove the 60s cars, 427 and L88s. The C5 is just as much fun. This one is on the block to be replaced with another. Wish I could keep both. 03 Z06 to be here in February.

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  wow, what can I say. - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By rotwiler - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I had 2 Mustang GTs before this 02 Z28 and the Camaro blows them away in every way. I am like a kid with a new toy, the car is fast and fun and price was excellent. The seats leather is great quality and superior to my 00 Monte Carlo SS or the previous Mustangs I owned. I may have to keep this car forever. The Monsoon sound system is great and the T tops are a great addition for the summer. And for the fully loaded Z28 with every option but traction control, 19,000 was a steal (had 2,000 miles on it).

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  My Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By robert - January 22 - 7:46 pm

  Exceptional vehicle. My hat is off to GM for building this truck. What a great vehicle, and it gets a lot of looks. The wife loves to drive it too. She cant get enough of this truck.

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  Cavalier - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jamee - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I absolutly love my cavalier. I have always wanted one & I finally got one & its very fun to drive!

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  99 CHEVY VENTURE - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By PLAYPEN95 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  OUR CHEVY VENTURE IS WONDERFUL!!! it is a very comfortable ride. the children even love the van. they think its so cool with the sliding door, cd player,the seperate seating instead of one big all together seating, they seem to have more room. we have had a plymouth van in the past and it does not compare to the venture!! there has not been anything we have not love about the van as of yet. if you want a fully loaded minivan and the comfort of sitting home on your sofa, and a great, reliable van then the chevy venture is the one for you!!! hope you all enjoy your ride as much as we do.

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  THE sports convertible - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Avebury14 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  My Chevy 2002 Corvette conver is the finest performace car available, period. I own or owned and driven: Vettes Porsche 911s, Rolls Royce P- III Jag E convet Cadillac Fltwd Bghm, Cad Fltwd 75, TR 3, Jag XK 150 C "baby sat" Ferrari Jag Mrk V Rolls Cornische. The 2002 Vette convert is the finest automobile I have ever driven! It is a shear delight to drive. It is easy to own and maintain. In every catagory rated by Experts, bar gas milage, it is tops, especially for tall drivers. AND ITS HEADS UP DISPLAY sets it apart from ANY other car! n Moreover, it is easy to own and maintain. In high performance cars it is unmatched.

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  Reliable and Comfortable Ride - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By louigi - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Great ride! This vehicle handles good in all conditions with a smooth, quiet ride. The suspension handles heavy loads and towing well. I am averaging around 13 mpg around town and near 20 mpg on the hwy. Truly a truck that rides like a luxury car.

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  A fun year around ride in style. - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ob1 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  What more can be said other than it is a great car to drive on a daily basis. Very reliable with no repairs so far. Not bad for a car with almost 70,000 miles on it. Believe it or not but it is very capable even in snow. I drive it year around in sub-zero temperature and nasty weather. A pair of snow or all season tires help a lot. Try a set of Michelin tires (ZP) and you will get good traction year around and up to 50,000 miles on a set of front tires. Only one detractor,with the 6 spd. you will have to put a quart of oil in it every 1500- 2000 miles. Be sure to get one with the active handling, it may save your life. I am looking forward to getting the C6.