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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  Ill drive this car til it falls apart! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By jjones - December 4 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car new and have never questioned our decision once. We love it in every way possible. The integrated car seats have been wonderful with our four kids. I want this to be the car my 8 year old learns to drive in! And the grill doesnt bother me at all!

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  Great Car! - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Patrick - December 3 - 2:20 am

  From the first moment I saw this car at the dealer, I knew I had to have it. Paying an extraordinary $59,000 dollars, I still think it is worth it. In fact, with the nice performance and reliability you get in this Corvette, I would have paid 108,000 dollars. Its just a car you dont get anywhere else. I think this car was not only a great car performance wise, but also quality and exterior design. I gave it a 10 because of spotless paint, superb frame, and nice little lights. I think that it was a change for many people to see the old lights go, but they new ones are awesome too. I would strongly reccomend this car if you are a street racer (just kidding!). I found this car very nice..

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  Lots of bang for the money! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By patches - December 2 - 2:10 pm

  Very great car, dependable and convenient. A sure keeper. Smooth, quiet drive, lots of room, especially with two youngsters. Cargo is great. Got rid of my Blazer LT for this one, and I do not regret it. Lots of space like an SUV, but handling is far smoother. I will definitely keep this car.

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  Outstanding!!! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Lisa - Maine - December 2 - 4:30 am

  I have had many vehicles over the years and I feel I know what I like in a vehicle. Being on the Fire Department and working for the Sheriffs office, I need to be able to get to work or get to a fire call regardless if its snowing or sunny weather. I also have plenty of room for all my fire gear plus my passengers and any groceries, shopping bags that we happen to pick up along the way. Its a wonderful SUV. I had a brand new Mustang, had it for a year then fell in love with the Equinox! The only thing I recently found out about is the cooling system needs to be changed due to the antifreeze and the materials used in the hoses not compatible....but thats minor and covered.

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  Z28 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Z28 - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Good car, fun to drive, especially when others want to race, considering the Z28 is a sleeper car.

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  Muscle - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By CAMZ28 - December 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is the most sweetest car ever. I went and raced my friends ford cobra and smoked th crap out of that chicks car. My parents vette has to work just to stay with it. This car is a bargin for its price.

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  Love my Suburban - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By JosephJ - December 2 - 2:00 am

  I sold a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee to purchase a Suburban. Not only do I get better gas mileage than the Jeep (a complete surprise), I never ever have to worry about lack of space. I am amazed at how well this SUV handles. It rides as nice as any car I have owned.

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  Sorry to see her go - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Pichilingi - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I leased this vehicle four years ago. Negotiating with the lease company to buy it now. Have really enjoyed the Blazer and would buy another. However, I test drove the 2003 Trailblazer this last week and was not impressed.

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  Everyone "ALWAYS" tests the LS with 3.8 - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By bigrig - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife. I rarely drive it. It has had NO problems what so ever!! It actually has more front leg room and is more comfortable for me than my 01 LT Suburban. Power is very adaquet and handling is good, with absolutely dead center steering on the interstate. What I cant get over is the gas mileage. It just turned 10,000 miles on a recent 2000 mile trip. When the trip computer said 36.5 mpg, I thought it lied (on one segment at 70 to 80 mph). It was actually 35.8! It gets 29/30 every fillup, We also like the "cloth" split power bench--much more comfy than buckets!

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  GREAT RIDE - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By JOHN HOLMES - November 30 - 3:40 am

  PLENTY OF ROOM FOUR OUR KIDS HANDLES GREAT