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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  major upgrade - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jimbo29 - August 15 - 2:00 am

  i recently purchased my new tahoe after having to trade my z71 pickup in... huge difference in room power and comfort...after paying $28 and some change p/ttt i got a great deal....all the leg room for front and rear passangers is a major selling point when i bought it....plus the bigger engine provides enough passing power at high way speeds

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  Something different - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Debra - August 14 - 8:43 pm

  Its a great little SUV. Drives good, handles good, very strong motor, good mileage.

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  Wonderful Car - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By G5174P - August 14 - 5:06 am

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. My wife and I took it on a 300 mile road trip on the first weekend which included drive time in the Colorado Mountains and on the highway, and it performed wonderfully. Even with the mountain driving, and allowing my brother in-law to road test it with his lead foot we got 28.7 mpg on that first tank. We were in the midst of some kind of biker rally on this road trip, and there was a rock band playing at one of the stops. I saw them out of the window, but couldnt hear them, I rolled down the window and there was the loud noise. I felt like I was in a car commercial. Looks great, rides great, couldnt be happier.

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  Lumina....A Great Value - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Ray Rack - August 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd Lumina, both purchased as 1 year used from Avis Auto Rental. My commute is 46 miles/day, with 1/3 city and the other 2/3 freeway. I average 28 MPG (UNREAL). Other than a front brake job at 60K miles on my 2nd car, I have had ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS WITH EITHER VEHICLE requiring dealer service. I currently have 73k miles on my 1999 and STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL TIRES with legal tread! A great front wheel drive system: I live on a hill with lots of snow in the winter and have had this car on many mountain dirt roads with absolutely no power or traction problems. Chevy gets a GOLD STAR for this very well designed, basic sedan.

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  Best value in sports cars. - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By bryrac - August 14 - 2:00 am

  Great looks and performance, better gas mileage than expected, and a great ride

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  love it - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By jennifer liedel - August 14 - 2:00 am

  i love my van i am so comfertable in it my kids absolutly love it also i have so much room to put things in it and it can get up and go. our gas milage is wonderful we get about 24 miles to the gallon. i would buy another one again.

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  amazing suv - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Chlowin826 - August 13 - 2:00 am

  As a first time driver and first time car owner, owning a chevy blazer has been a great experience. I feel completely a ease driving it and I know that I would be safe if I were to be in a accident. Even though my car has 101,000 miles on it is still runs as if it were new. It is a comfortable ride and the the back seat is ten times more spacious then my parents jeeps. Thr gas mileage is also better then my parents jeeps. Overall I love this car and would recomend that anyone invest in owning a Chevy Blazer.

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  Test Drove them all , Impala won! - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By sammy(alias mario) - August 13 - 2:00 am

  When I when to buy my next car I researched the internet extensively and test drove just about all the cometitors (Accord, Camry,Passat, Intrigue, Altima, Avalon, Sable, Intrepid). The Impala won my wife and my votes for comfort , power, handling , features and room to spare. Plus it has 87% U.S./Canadian parts content. Not to mention 5 star frontal and 4 star side impact ratings.

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  Duramax - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By sam - August 12 - 6:23 am

  Get the diesel/Allison combo! I have experienced 23-27 mpg cruising at 70 mph, 16-17 city. Even factoring in the higher price of diesel, the cost per mile has been less, and with unlimited power and towing ability. Only annoyances have been rattling steering column and body squeaks and rattles. Otherwise truck has been very reliable. Comfortable and with very good brakes and handling.

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  My Chevy - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Katherine Jolly - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I love my chevy. It runs great at 112K miles and still gets 26 miles to the gallon in the city. I have had no major problems with this car. Great pick-up and a comfortable ride.