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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  Love my LTZ - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bob - October 5 - 3:03 pm

  Just picked up my 2007 LTZ and so far have been extremely impressed. The car is tight and quiet with amazing acceleration! My only compliant is that for a vehicle of this price, I cannot believe that you cannot get climate control. Other then that I love the LTZ!

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  Spectacular! Love the C7 - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Joe F - October 5 - 7:27 am

  This is my third Corvette purchase. I had two C5s, a 98 Coupe and 99 Convertible, and I still have the C5 Coupe. The evolution in Corvette styling did not appeal to me at first. However it took a couple years for the C7 to grow on me, now I couldnt be happier with my purchase. I still love the C5 for the car that it is, and the C7 for the car it became. My only personal drawback (this is obviously a reflection of my age) is the extensive use of electronics on the newer Corvette. Guess that this could be interpeted as: I am flawed, the C7 is perfect. Our technically dependent society says so. :-)

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  raw power - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By beritngrin - October 5 - 2:00 am

  ever since I first bought this car I have been nothing but satisfied, every thing from apperance to reliability has been every thing I had imagined and then some.

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  Cav - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Spick - October 5 - 2:00 am

  It has gotten me through it all rain, sleet, snow. And has not died on me yet.

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  LOVE OUR WARNER BROS VENTURE - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By WB Mama - October 5 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Warner Bros Venture new, and after more than 2 years of driving it, we continue to love it. I have become very possessive of my WB and wont even let my husband drive it because its "my car." That doesnt bother my husband much anyway, because hed rather sit in the back and watch movies with my son than drive. The car is great for long trips the kids and hubby just sit in the back and stay happy watching movies or listening to CDs. That leaves me the peace I need to drive. A wonderful family car!!! Have had to return the car twice for recalls about the passenger sliding door, but it appears to be working well now.

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  World Class Sedan - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By DC - October 5 - 2:00 am

  A well known consumer service rates this vehicle as a recommended one. Looking at the hard data, hard to argue as it has scores that surpass the best the Japanese have to offer. You will find sedans that equal this one, but whether one surpasses it is a matter of subjective opinion. Subjectively, we love this loaded Impala LS.

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  Caprice (Police Package) - 1991 Chevrolet Caprice
  By akomida - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Purchased as retired police car (132, 000 CITY miles.) 5.7L is flawless, fast, and VERY potent! Car rides like a dream! During east coast visit, hit up to 115 mph on I10 thru Arizona. Felt like I was going 50mph at most. The controls are made well and handle use w/o breaking.

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  Fun car... they just keep getting better - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By modelboy - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Mine hasnt had any problems that I didnt create. I had to replace the clutch since I taught someone how to drive on it. The engine has so much unlocked potential that you just cant get from any other car in this class. My certified mechanic brother that works on funny cars and top fuel dragsters loves to help me make it faster by doing this or that since he agrees that Chevy makes by far the best engines out of anyone. FYI I have been able to push out 250 hp out of the 2.2 engine naturally aspirated, so imagine what the 2.4-liter will do when we swap it out and supercharge it! Were going for 1000!

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  YES! - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Bailey - October 4 - 2:00 am

  SO far... this is our dream vehicle! The best feature is the handling ability of the vehicle! In addition, the shift to 4 wheel drive on the fly already saved us on slick ground (rain)!

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  At last! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By GatorBoy - October 4 - 12:13 am

  After waiting over two months for my Nox, it finally arrived! I immediately took it on a 700 mile trip and it performed perfectly. Plenty of pep for a 4cyl. and very comfortable. The cabin noise was minimal so I was able to hear even the most subtle of notes from the XM music. One of the best interior and exterior designs around. Only one design problem noted and thats the inability to load my golf clubs horizontally.