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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  GOOD BUT NOT GREAT - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By MR.G - October 23 - 12:53 am

  Bought car used with 34000 miles.First thing i did was,replace front rotors and brake pads,second thing i did was flush the GM antifreeze from engine and went back with regular green anti freeze.I did this because the GM antifreeze will damage the cooling parts in engine and has a gum building inside cooling system.The third thing I did was replace the turn signal device on the steering column.The original broke one night and I could not dim my headlights.Cost was over $500.00.

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  Z28 is a great car!!! - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Brian Searles - October 22 - 10:22 pm

  I dont have enough good to say about my 1996 Z28. The LT1 engine provides effortless acceleration, the ride isnt bad for a sports car, and reliability has been great! Mustang has a long way to go to provide the same kind of driving experience of the Camaro/Firebird. Please GM, bring back the F-body......GTO isnt going to cut it!

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  Great Van - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By R.E.Underwood - October 22 - 6:29 pm

  A very fun & yet practical ride. We have been enjoying our Up Lander here in the great outdoors of Da UP of Michigan. Lots of power & handles great.

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  Great SUV - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Ken Miller - October 22 - 9:46 am

  The Traverse handles much better than the other GM "clones" and the new direct injection engine revs so quick and willingly. Mileage is running 19/20 overall except when my son drives it and then it drops 2 mpg. Traded in a 2008 Mazda CX-9 and this is a far better vehicle.

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  A nightmare from GM - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By George - October 22 - 3:53 am

  Bought this car, went "American" despite advice of friends. Major reliabilty problems from the start (the body control module went out after 3 weeks, could have had a major loss of all electrical functions at high speed!)compounded by the absolute worst, rudest service (had my wife in tears) I have ever received from any company of any kind, ever. The steering is barely adequate and the brakes are dangerously slow. Their are some good features about this car, but overall it has been a disaster, and GM as a supporting company a nightmare. We found out first-hand why they are going broke.

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  Awful - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Tammy - October 22 - 12:59 am

  We purchased the vehicle with 6,000 miles in March. Since then, we have replaced the Alternator twice, air conditioner, front & rear suspension, body moldings, brake and rotar work, driver side passenger door has had to be adjusted numerous times. Then just this past weekend we has water leaking from our interior rear light. All Chevy can say is that is covered under warrenty.

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  A great car for the money - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By wwater - October 21 - 10:24 pm

  The 3.8 v6 is an awesome motor. The monsoon stereo is must for me. This car surprisingly gets good gas mileage! I would buy another 01 Camaro tomorrow. Ive also owned a 96 and a 68, but i really like this model the best. An excellent car for the money.

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  Suburban Review - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Bruce Sullivan - October 21 - 1:39 pm

  Great! I use it to haul my family and to tow a camper. Outstanding power, comfort, and extemely reliable.

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  05 Suburban-cross country tested - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By KF - October 21 - 10:37 am

  I drove my new LT from Mass to Colo and then Calif and back to Colo then home while visiting my 2 daughters for 4 weeks, and it performed flawlessly in all weather for 6,850 miles, and got 17.9 MPG for entire trip. I noticed front tires had inner edge scuffing when I returned and Dealer determined car was out of alignment from factory, so they aligned it at 9K miles and put two new tires on under warranty. I am very pleased with how it rides and handles.

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  I love my aveo!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By angelilvon - October 21 - 10:00 am

  This car is great, its so compact and reliable. The mileage you get on it helps out alot to when you got a budget you got to meet. I have never been happier w/ a car.