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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  Great American SportsCar - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jtin - November 9 - 2:00 am

  This car has been great. I had it for 3 yrs. and it performed like a dream. I cant describe the feeling you get when you sit behind the wheel of one of these beauties and mash on the throttle. The shear power of this baby is mind boggling. I hate to see it go, but i need something more spacious in my line of work. For those of you out there looking for performance, seek no further and the price aint bad neither. Long Live The CAMARO!!!

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  3rd ones a charm! - 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Frank J. S. - November 8 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Corvette (1975 Stingray, 1986 Coupe)and the best one yet. It handles great and the technology is cool. Looks best with the top down. I have the pewter/black/black. I added chrome wheels and exhaust tips. Its really an eye catcher! If you havent already, buy one. Youll love it!

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  GOOD SOLID TRUCK - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Alex Farmer from Ga - November 7 - 2:00 am

  THis is a good solid truck i think every young teen should have one.

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  Best Car for the Money - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Very Happy in SC - November 7 - 2:00 am

  I was somewhat reluctant to buy a Chevy after several happy years of owning a Camry, but I have never been happier. This car was purchased used, but it still has some of the original warranty left, I dont think we will be using it. Road noise is almost non-existant, and the leather interior looks like a much more expensive car. The V-6 is very powerful, and this car has get-up and go. The handling is amazing, the stereo wonderful, and everything about it is just fabulous. I dont think I will ever go back to another car again.

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  Trustworthy, but... - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jesus lover - November 6 - 2:00 am

  I have had no reliability issues with this little gal. My 4X4 regular cab does the point a to point b shuffle post haste, managingaround 29 mpg on the highway. The catalytic converter or the muffler is making a rattly noisy that makes the truck sound a bit like a disel at certain r.p.m.s. Aslo there was a clang in the driveline that the dealer could never officially fix, however id has been quieted witha drive shaft isolatorand has never caused any drivability issues.

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  97 z28 camaro - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Nice car for 285 horsepower 0-60 5.7 sec 1/4 mile 14.0 sec

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  Best "Small" SUV on the Road - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By NoxisGreat - November 5 - 1:33 pm

  This is the best "Small" SUV on the road. Forget the RAV 4 (dated), CR-V (unsightly), Ford Explorer (even more dated). Best value for the $. Engine/transition are excellent. Seats are very comfortable. Excellent technology included. Interior fit and finish is excellent and features quality material. I am fully impressed. There is a reason GM cant keep these in stock and is adding capacity to keep up with demand. Also cant believe editors rated only 7.5- did they rate the 2009 Equinox instead?

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  Great Car - 1991 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Berretta Ed - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car new and have loved every minute of driving it. The fuel economy was great, especially for the performance. I have nearly 190,000 miles on it. Unfortunely my daughter was involved in an accident that crunched the front end. I was surprised at how easy it was to repair. Fantastic car. Paid $12,300 for it new and have really gotten my monies worth.

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  Satisfaction - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Cway - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I am ultimatly pleased with the vehicle thus far. Ride quality is exeptional and engine has more then enough huevos. I really feel you get alot of vehicle for the price.

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  Hold on tight!!! - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By White Lightning SS - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Only complaint - drive shaft cannot handle all the horses. Ive had it replaced twice. There is a chevy bulletin out on this and a heavier duty shaft available. My car still has twisted the newest drive shaft too (I dont do anything stupid to abuse it). I couldnt tell these things were even happening - it was when I took it into the dealer that they caught it. I hope before the warranty is out they have a shaft that wont weaken.