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:

• 

  Alright car - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Adam - August 30 - 12:24 pm

  I bought the car with 135k miles on it and within 800 miles I needed a new transmission, but other than that its a good truck to have

• 

  Overall - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By J-dUbS rIdE - August 30 - 7:21 am

  This is an amazing car for a V6. All I have added was a chamber 2 flowmasters & a k&n air filter and I have no problem with 0-60 in 6 and a quarter mile in 14 for being mainly stock. You cant get any car better for your money than this model. The handling is awsome throughout turns and is very smooth at high speeds. The exterior is very sharp. Overall a very good machine.

• 

  My value package, soon LS sport coupe! - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By raw cavalier - August 29 - 3:33 pm

  I bought my Cavalier about a year ago now and I must say it is very fun to drive and it gets great gas mileage! I have had several problems with the a/c and the check engine light but now that the car is back to being new, well almost anyway, it is great to have. I am planning on adding little performance mods and accessories to make the Cavalier even more stylish than it all ready is. Good car overall and hopefully is will very reliable in the future! Good luck with yours if you get one!

• 

  I Love My Avalanche - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By djhwi - August 29 - 3:24 pm

  After owning other 4WD vehicles, this one is the best ever! You forget that this is a truck and not a car, the ride is so smooth and all the gadgets makes this vehicle the best Ive ever owned.

• 

  Not bad for a girl car - 1999 Chevrolet Tracker
  By thejester157 - August 29 - 7:42 am

  I thought when I bought this car I was buying a girl car, but getting a good deal for the money I paid. I was plesantly surprised that this car is fantastic and really fits my needs. It is my familys second car and fits perfectly in that role. Not the best for familys or long road trips, But it can drive in town with the best of them. I have found that i get sufficent gas milage. Plus it fits neatly into small places.

• 

  Favorite "commuter" car - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By george - August 29 - 7:30 am

  I bought this card to provide an ecomonical, comfortable, ride for my long trips. I visit customers throughout upstate New York and take weekly trips of 2 to 5 hours. Ive had the car but a few days and it is living up to my expectations. It is economical to run and has a great ride! Comfortable on the highways, and a bit sporty on the back roads.

• 

  ss for ss - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By sonny - August 29 - 4:03 am

  I love my 03 SS I bought with 18k in 08 its all black with black leather interior. I have added K&N intake and am planning on an exhaust and ecu chip in the near future. For a front wheel drive car she a blast to drive. This car is my BABY!!

• 

  A Good Sedan To Own - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jabari - August 29 - 3:24 am

  My experiance with this vehicle has been great.It has great fuel economy, nice pick up with the 140 horespower, and is stylish looking.

• 

  Great for the price. - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Brian - August 29 - 1:09 am

  I bought this truck used just over a year ago and havent had a single problem. Replaced the Bilstein shocks at 60k miles with another pair of Bilstein. Change the oil regularly and go. Might not have enough rear leg room for three adults but for an average family with a couple kids it works fine. Plenty of storage in the back for weakend projects. My mileage has averaged just over 17 miles per gallon, not bad for an SUV.

• 

  Zippy Car - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By morningsun - August 28 - 11:47 pm

  We bought this car after 2 years of searching for a car that wouldnt aggravate my bad back. This car was perfect. My husband is 62" and he loves the car too. Two or three days after we bought the car, however, we found water in the trunk. The dealer found that water was coming in through both taillights. Since they fixed it weve had no more leaks. I would highly recommend this car. It has good back support, good gas mileage, handles very well, and is fun to drive. The high ratings on this car are well deserved. It is an American version of the Toyota Corolla but cheaper in price. Took the head rests off the back seats for better visibility.