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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  Chevy Suburban - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By vampares - March 28 - 3:47 pm

  I drive this vehicle regularly. It is comfortable and handles well. I get 18.5 hw/15city (actual not by epa). The Bose speakers great. Same basic design as old Suburban (center console, seat fold down or come out). The body is solid, chrome bumpers, minimal use of plastic. The maintenance/service is cheap, cheap, cheap.

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  A fanastic car! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By JASON - March 28 - 12:26 pm

  My wife and I drive about 110 to 120 miles a day (during the week) so we purchased this vehicle hoping to get a fuel efficient mile buster. In all honesty we thought that it would be a throw-away car that we would not care much about. We were wrong. This little rocket has been fastastic. Very reliable, great fuel economy, incredibly roomy, and a joy to drive. The majority of our miles are highway miles and it rides as smooth as any car I have ever driven. You would be very very surprised, I was!

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  Transmission Eater! - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By wyomingwapiti - March 28 - 11:23 am

  This is my work truck. Replaced a 98 K3500. I use this truck to pull heavy fifth wheel trailers. The duratec diesel engine is great for this. Loads of power w/ great gas mileage (20 mpg highway). I have the optional allison automatic transmission. The tranny is great for downshifting when pulling trailers. The tranny did shell out last year w/ 50,000 miles on the odometer. This cost $4500 to fix. After doing some research found this is a common problem on the 01 model. My fuel sending unit also went bad. Cost $800. Research also shows these trucks are prone to premature injector failure. I havent seen this yet though. Wish reliablity was better I guess.

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  Never Again - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By MONICA - March 28 - 9:27 am

  We bought this car loving the style and abailible space for hauling sport equipment around. We expected this beautiful car to become the end of our sanity. It would have cost us less in the long run to buy a new car at that time. We had to put in a new trans, new steering and fuel pump, new locks (all broke at the same time), fix the sagging doors ect. All in a matter of 2 years. Still needs some work but we are fresh out of money and dont want the car anymore. What a lemon.

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  Corvette Convertible - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jarvis Renfrow - March 27 - 10:36 pm

  The best looking, fastest, sexiest, head turning, satisfying pride of ownership, status symble, that everybody including kids recognizes in the world. Mine is torch red and brother it is red hot.

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  Hunk of Junk - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Robyn - March 27 - 10:26 pm

  I have had this vehicle for 2.5 yrs now, and Ive had to have brand new rotors and break pads; along with brand new tires, visor, and stereo. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone. There is also a problem where the starter cranks after the key is released, and Chevrolet, in their service bulletin (#03-06-03-001D) states this is "normal." There are a ton of blind spots with this vehicle also. You couldnt pay me enough money to ever get a Chevrolet again.

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  Problems - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Bad Chevy - March 27 - 2:20 pm

  When I bought this Tracker, I was looking for reliability. I am not happy! I have now gone through 3 Cat. Conv., springs on the rear rotors. I am still having problems with them and gaskets galore. I have a 1994 Tracker a long time ago and it was awesome. I cant wait to get rid of this one!

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  dangerous on the road - 2017 Chevrolet Spark
  By Ivannia - March 26 - 3:46 am

  My brother bought my mom a brand new Spark. He thought she is old and needs security, well that is not what she has. This car keeps turning off on her on the highway, on the roads just any place. She has taken the car to the dealer and the dealer does not seem to find out the problem and gives it right back. I do not recomend rhis car at all.

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  My new little black car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jen - March 25 - 11:10 pm

  I looked at Hondas and Mazda3 but ended up with a Cobalt. Its sporty, has good pick up and easy on the gas. Back seat nice size.Get the extra options. Sunroof, XM radio, white dials, cruise control, steering wheel radio controls, etc etc. It makes it feel even more like a luxury car.

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  Its been good - 1996 Chevrolet Suburban
  By its good - March 25 - 9:03 pm

  We really like our Surburban. It has all the options, and 156,000 miles to boot! For the size, the gas mileage is good. The big well (or center console) is appreciated, but it used to be bigger in 1986. The seats are exteremely comfy, a great highway car.Would appreciate a fold away in the floor 3rd row seat. We love the cargo space behind the 3rd row seat. Love the up high sitting, and it is very easy to get into. LOVE IT!