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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  Camaros are Great.... - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Justin Barnes - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I just got my car and its great, besides some little things that need to be tuned up on it. It has a new exaust system which makes this beast sound great with the V8. I LOVE IT.

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  Sweet Truck - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Tex - June 10 - 2:00 am

  ZR2 is the best light duty 4x4 available

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  XTREME TRUCKIN WAY TO GO! - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By MFMISFITS - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I am like any 20 year old kid. I want something that has the look and also responds when you step on the gas. I needed something that could get out of its own way. This was the truck I wanted. i just didnt want the 4 door. (not cool to have a 4 door at 20) So when the xtreme came out i was thrilled. I saved up as much money as i could and bought one. It is the best investment that i have made so far.

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  09 Tahoe - 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By John - June 9 - 3:33 pm

  Traded my 06 GMC Yukon 4WD for the new Chevy Hybrid. Now getting 20+ around town instead of 12, I think that is great. It is also easier to get in and out of than the Yukon was. So far this unit has made me a happy camper, I only hope General Motors makes it through the rough times! Need that warranty! JLH

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  Solid Car - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By airmac - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Just sold my 95 Z28. It was a pretty solid car. The only maintenance I had with it was replacing the high pressure line from the power steering. Fun to drive and its got nads. The ride is a little bumpier than I would like, but the acceleration and handling make it worth the money. Get decent gas mileage if youre not gassing it all the time. Gonna miss my baby.

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  9c1, LT - 1995 Chevrolet Caprice
  By dstiber - June 8 - 2:00 am

  160000 miles and not a drop of oil. Like a rocket ship.

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  Best car on the road - 2000 Chevrolet Metro
  By Ino Redneck - June 8 - 2:00 am

  Fantastic car- can see out, controls are simple and not distracting,fuel mileage is great, noone wants to steal it, and it gets me wherever I need to go. Seats are comfortable

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  Z71, 6 Speed Auto, Cheap(er) - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By zjones - June 7 - 6:10 am

  Way better than my 2007 Classic 5.3 Silverado was. Smoother faster stronger more options better gas mileage. AFM works just fine. The 6 speed automatic is about 8 years late but now that its here it was worth the wait. Its a much better unit than the old 4 speed. Frame much stronger, bed is mounted right up next to the cab now and when you jam your 4 wheeler in there it wont bend the top of the bed anymore. It drives WAY better than the old ones...I had to zig zag at 70 mph to miss a stupid deer and the rollover and brake system work well. The new dual zone climate control actually works now too. 13000 miles in 3 months because I love to drive it.

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  These little trucks are worth it! - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By buying another s10 - June 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had my S-10 for six years. And I love my little truck. I put 100,000 miles on it and then had to start putting real $ into it. These trucks are worth the money you put into them. I am so pleased with my 94 that I am purchasing another one.

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  LMAO at the F.O.R.D. Marauder - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By yes - June 7 - 2:00 am

  The marauder may very well be a good ford product but look forward to spongy brakes and no low end torque. Longevity is a question and well it just doesnt have the looks. I am still laughing all the way to the bank. My SS cost $19.500 the ford will cost about $35.000. My chevy was built by proud American workers who lovingly put this car together. 80.000 miles no problems, 14.00 in the quarter. Cop car suspension means no surprises. A note to FORD this is what happens when John Moss (a brillant automobile designer)really builds a car. Maybe you should hire him. Thank You Mr. Moss!!!