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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  Verrrrrryyyyy FAST - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Daves Z28 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I just got my Z28. It is one awsome car! I have had many custom and classic cars in the past such as a 70 Chevell, 72 Pontiac GP. Two 72 SB pickups And a Chevy Luv packing a 327 v-8. I would have to say this is by far the funnist car I have ever owened! This car with its LS1 5.7 V-8 is very fast! Dont under estimate this cars pwoer. It also handles like a go kart! I love this car!

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  much improved - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jtn - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I previously owned a 95 sub and cannot believe the improvements. Handling is much improved over prior model. You can actually get into a parking spot at the grocery now. Tons of room, nothing better for long rides.

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  chevy fan - 1991 Chevrolet Caprice
  By pmar - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 1991 caprice used with 14,500 miles in 1995 and have 149000 miles on it now engine and trans still strong only reoccurring problem was the A/C system.

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  keep your 4th gen FBodies... - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By zerogsx - October 1 - 2:00 am

  345lb-ft L98 is a torque monster. Mine was a Heritage Edition Z28, Bright Red with Black stripes. One of the more timeless designs to ever come from an auto styling studio- though Im not crazy about the hi-rise F40-style rear spoiler of 91-92. It was my daily driver for years and I didn’t make a single repair, short of tires and a small oil leak covered under warrantee. No t-tops and aftermarket subframe connectors make the body as solid as an I-beam-- no rattles/squeaks at all. I’ve owned at total of 5 third generation FBodies and loved them all. Traded it in for a 96 Z28/SS 6-speed and regret every second of it (but I needed a manual transmission!).

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  Indy Blazer - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By OurlivesforHim - October 1 - 2:00 am

  After owning a 96 a few years back, this 98 is vastly better! Gotta love the 5.7 based 4.3 V6. Rock solid power, and it comes on so strong so early. This used beauty is Bright Red, and had only 55K miles. Sharp as a tack, and the interior has held up wonderfully.

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  My HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Harlene - October 1 - 12:26 am

  I love the *driveability* of my new HHR. I have never had a car that drives so easy. You would have to drive one to understand what I am saying. I drive it every day to work and fall in love with it all over again. There is plenty of room and you do not feel squashed into a small car. The fuel mileage is what you would expect from a smaller car. I get 24 miles pr gal around town and 33 open highway. I cant say enough about this new car except....Thanks General Motors

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  One Sick Ride! - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Max - October 1 - 12:23 am

  I bought my SS Supercharged Monte Carlo in March of 2008 as a traveling vehicle. Im in the US Navy and commute once a month at least 500 miles (8hour) drive to and from the desert. And the Monte Carlo is sick! It handles with care and is definitley reliable. Mine has taken me everywhere, literally! The only problem I have had with it is the sensors with the fuel system my gas guage went out on me and stays on full at all times. But its not a big deal really I just keep track of my mileage as I drive cross country! Other than that I love my new whip and plan on keeping it at least 20 years, or until I buy my BMW one day. I strongly recommend this vehicle!

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  Wow - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By luke - September 30 - 5:16 pm

  I bought this truck in March I now have 6087 miles. I am now getting 17 mpg in town. 19 mpg going back and forth to work. 20-22 mpg on the hwy. The power that this truck has is awesome. I have not had a single problem with this truck.

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  chevy runs deeeeeeeep - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By chevyfrank123 - September 30 - 8:42 am

  I recently bought a 2000 chevy silverado for 1800 dollars. it has 260,000 miles on it and its still running strong. i cant believe the power this truck has for the sixe of the motor and the milage. it is going to need a wheel bearing soon and possibly a fuel pump but other then that its great. i pull a 10000 pound tractor with it and it has no problems. brakes are a littly iffy but i thankfully have a brake control module for the trailer. i recently put straight pipes on the truck and added an extra leaf spring in the rear to give me a little higher ride height. i plan on doing a few more things to it too.. all in all a great truck!

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  2011 CRUZE 2LT Better Than Average - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By bradley2 - September 30 - 3:59 am

  2011 Cruze 2LT. Now has 5,000 miles. Overall, a fine car for the price. 4Cyl T more than adequate. Interior cabin design, fit and finish among the best I have ever owned from any maker. Averaging 29.5 MPG mostly HWY mosltly 75 MPH. Exterior design OK, nothing to shout about. I like the ride, steering, suspension, etc. in that it is tighter than most US cars, has more road feel and could even be described as fun. Back seat pretty tight. Dealer had to deal with (fix) a wicked rattle from driver door (window mechanism loose bolts) and trunk lid clearcoat streaks and bumps which they did at no cost to me, of course.