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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  Luminas are Great Cars! - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By happybooker1 - September 1 - 2:00 am

  And theyre good enough for the police! This is my 2nd Lumina since 98 -- & I drive the H**L out of my cars. The first Lumina had 75000 miles on it when it was wrecked this one has 91,000 & still going strong! No major maintainence problems with either one -- just routine brake maintainence, oil changes, etc. As a matter of fact, I just had the FIRST tuneup done on this LTZ in June -- the car had 86000 miles on it then!!

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  2001 Suburban - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By shinija - September 1 - 2:00 am

  This is the best vehicle we have ever owned.We get 19 mpg which is very good for a vehicle this size.No problems with this vehicle with 18k on the odometer.Very reliable, will never own less!

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  Love my Astro - 1990 Chevrolet Astro
  By Bev Burger - August 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Astro new off the lot with 40 miles on it. I now have over 221,000 miles on it. I have traveled all over the U.S. in my van, I pull a 1968, 16ft camper with it, it takes me up to the ski resorts in the winter and drives me on the beach at the ocean. I love my van. Even if I get something else to drive I plan to keep my little van.

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  1999 LS Chevy Astro - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By Hector Contreras - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Very dependable, lots of power, and a very quiet and comfortable ride.

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  1997 Chevy Venture - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By pod43 - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I love this van. Very roomy.

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  6,000 mile follow-up review - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Himm2 - August 28 - 12:40 pm

  Factory-ordered gold-mist titanium LT1 last August. 3,000 mile trip thru the Rockies over the holidays. Drove with "eco" button turned off in the mountains fully loaded with family of 3 and the 4 cylinder handled the snowy slopes without much whimper. Getting 24 mpg in city, 35 mpg @ 50 mph on flat road, 26 mpg @ 70 mph. Handles very well in all conditions. The dash makes for a very enjoyable experience especially with an iPod. Controls are positioned very well. Only regret is they dont offer much discount or 0% financing but when you have a real winner at a reasonable price, why should they I guess?

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  My 2005 Equinox Performs well - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ted - August 28 - 8:06 am

  My needs require the regular transport of 3 or 4 adults to jobs and other events. The Equinox provides great leg room, easy access and a comfortable ride for these adults and for children. The smooth shifting five speed transmission coupled with a reasonably high torque engine provide good acceleration. I have driven it in numerous snow storms and it handles and maintaints traction very well. I have been very pleased with the Equinox.

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  Excellent Truck & "race car" - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By S-10er - August 28 - 2:00 am

  This truck has pick-up and rides and handles like a race car. It has been extremely reliable which is a rare find now a days. Other than the regular upkeep, it has been an excellent vehicle. Excellent gas mileage too. After 4 years of driving I wouldnt trade it for any other truck.

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  The BIG one. - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By housebuilder - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my tahoe at auction today. It is a big nice truck. I just sold an s-10 and would never go into a smaller truck again.

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  Awesome - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Crystal Clear - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I havent had any problems out of my camaro at all. It has been an excellent vehicle. It is very sporty and fun to drive. Its pretty good on gas too. Its been a reliable car. I wouldnt own anything but a Chevy after owning this particular vehicle. I am totally satisfied with my purchase. Thanks