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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  Smokem 98 - 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
  By PC98 Vette - July 10 - 6:05 am

  I have enjoyed driving this car. I have driven other sports cars and this by far exceeds the exhiliration I have ever felt before. Thank you Chevrolet.

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  My 94 Vette - 1994 Chevrolet Corvette
  By pault - July 10 - 5:28 am

  Seats have faded, but are not yet torn. Cracking of the paint is noticed on the rear of the car. Performance is still good, however overheating is a difficulty, I generally have to turn the ASR off, as it has a tendency to activate too soon for my tastes. Just a few minor repairs needed such as passenger window doesnt work.

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  Had it for 6 months now and love it - 2015 Chevrolet Volt
  By Jim H - July 10 - 2:35 am

  This is amazing. I have spent 23 dollars in gas for 6 months. I just went in for my service and free tire rotation. Great car fun to drive. Love not using gas. I drive 15 miles 1 way to work and another 15 miles back, and dont have to worry about running out of electric power.

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  Best buy for the price. - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Acid Burn - July 10 - 1:23 am

  Im not going to lie and say this car is perfect, its not. For the money that you will be paying you do get a well built, logically laid out veh that will perform resonably well. Dont expect to be passing Corvettes in this thing, or Chevettes for that matter, but if you opt for a manual transmission you can compensate by downshifting which does sacrifice some of the gas mileage but makes passing less of a joke. In the hatchback model you do have a surprising amount of storage when the rear seats are folded down, but with the seats in the upright position, dont plan on fitting anything more that a few grocery bags back there before its full. A++ for first time buyers or for a cheap fix.

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  Excellent Car - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By lemursrule - July 9 - 11:27 pm

  When we purchased the vehicle in 2001, we were told that it was used as a program car. If it was displayed in public, then it must be good. This vehicle is well built and tough. A monster 8.1 V8 engine leaves nothing to be desired. The ride and suspension is excellent, and road noise is little to nothing. I would definitely purchase another Suburban. The depreciation is excellent, and the model is one of the most wanted SUV models in existence. It also is fun to drive and comfort is excellent!!

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  Great van, I have to say! - 1995 Chevrolet Astro
  By Roger122387 - July 9 - 6:49 pm

  This van has been great for our family since we got it in 1994. Even though it only has barely over 70,000 miles, it is great! We have had very few problems with it. The only problem I can recall is with the brakes. Something kept busting in them, and now I think the problem is coming back. But other than that, everything is great. The front and rear A/C works great!

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  Decent little car - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By breakaway - July 9 - 11:42 am

  Although it may be out-dated, the Cavalier remains affordable, economical, and a reliable means of transportation. Its competitors may have better quality, but they also have a considerably higher price tag. This car best suits what I need. I fail to see why anyone would want to spend thousands more on bells and whistles that arent really necessary. To each their own, I guess.

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  Love it! - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By penguinfan - July 9 - 7:46 am

  I love the new interior they put in. Its not the same old generic GM interior. The ride is great and there is plenty of power when needed. I love just cruising around town now!

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  Never own another one - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Lee - July 9 - 2:48 am

  I bought this car new. Constant brake problems. Some electrical problems. Replaced the front wheel bearings. Fuel gauge went crazy at around 80,000 miles. Very uncomfortable for a taller person.

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  Good, but needs some improvements - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By wallyuwl - July 9 - 12:39 am

  Bought last August with 33k miles. Now 50k. Brake rotors from factory are soft and warp easy (had already been replaced under warranty before we got the car), replaced them with ones from Car Quest (and put on ceramic pads). Stops great now, and the parts shouldnt wear out for a long time. Will do the back in the next few months. Thermometer was bad, and they found an intake manifold gasket leak ($600) while fixing that, which I guess is somewhat common in GM vehicles and is caused by the Dex-Cool coolant they use. I got that flushed and had different coolant put in. Should be good now. Have done a few other maintenance things that would have to be done with any car.