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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  Extreme Fun - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Ed Dunleavy - October 17 - 3:43 am

  I was looking for a fun, affordable, good gas mileage car, built in the USA. I found it. My experience driving this car has been a blast! Quick,agile, always willing and wanting to play.

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  good car - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By KdawG - October 17 - 2:00 am

  this is a good car, i bought it now to long ago and now my mom is getting a lumina now also.

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  7 years and counting... - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By iowadoc - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Bought it new and now have 133000 miles. Only one significant repair (just off warranty). I just did my first tune up! Runs like a tank, reasonably comfortable, handles very well, fun to drive. I plan on going 200,000 with it. On the highway I get about 33 mpg or better. The engine will still be running when the body falls off. Ive owned at least 10 cars and this is my favorite.

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  Lifetime Corvette Owner, C5 is BEST Yet - 1997 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jet pilot - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but positives about the car, Except that Chevrolet would not cover the glass top when the lamanet began to peal off. Dealership (Bob McDorman, Columbus Ohio) not honest or upfront when it came to financing. I will buy else where in the future. Anyone know of a dealer one can trust?

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  3rd Camaro - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 3rdcamaro - October 17 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Camaro and it is the best of the three (70 and 77 were the others). Handling is superb (with Z-28 package), mileage is great (with 3.4L V-6), only hesitation is the 2-piece drive shaft that had an unservicable center support bearing. Replaced with custom-built solid 1-piece and performance is great. Highly recommend K&N filter for additional power. Sure to be a collectors item as Chevy in their stupidity no longer makes the Camaro.

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  First SUV - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By TOM - October 16 - 10:53 am

  While this is my first SUV I am not sorry that I purchased it. It is a fun vehicle to drive and now I can finally see what is happening ahead of me as opposed to driving in a car. So far the mileage is as indicated on the invoice sheet.

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  Try It! Youll Buy It - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bud - October 16 - 2:43 am

  I traded in a 99 STS. Im very happy with my new SS. Power, comfort is all there. I had torque steer B4 you learn to drive with it. Sideview mirrors are much more aero than the ones on the STS.Side curtins great saftey improvment. Engine very smooth and much quicker than the STS. Dont like the trim around the dash and the unfinished door jams,still a nice car.

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  Best minivan on the road - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Andrew Tourneur - October 16 - 2:00 am

  Comfterable ride, smooth driving, excelent reaction time, good handleing in the summer and winter (depending on tire) including traction features.

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  great van - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By doom - October 16 - 2:00 am

  very fun to drive, has much better ride than the dodge or ford mini vans.

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  310 Horses never felt soooo good - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Terry - October 15 - 4:36 pm

  I traded my 2002 LS because it was underpowered and this cars PERFECT. Its just what the boredom doctor ordered. The fun starts when you hit the accelerator. Gas mileage is about 18.2 but who cares. the exhiliration is worth 10mpg. Reminds me a little of my 67 GTO except it was rear wheel drive. Love the leather and XM but most impressive is the diagnostic center. All 4 tire pressures? Cant get much better than that. If youre looking for a sleeper, come drive this car, you wont regret it.