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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  02 ZR2 - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Steve - May 24 - 3:21 am

  I bought my Tracker ZR2 to tow behind our motorhome. Setup for towing four down is a breeze. Transmission in park - Transfer in neutral - key on access and go. Tow brackets are available off the shelf and are simple DIY bolt on. The bracket receivers pass through the grill without mods and when the hitch assembly is off they are next to invisible. I dont know its behind my diesel pusher when towing. I love its size. I can make a parking spot most anywhere. Its manueverable and fun to drive.

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  SS Impala 2008 - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Doug - May 23 - 6:10 am

  The SS is a good overall car. I traded in an Audi A4 3.2. There is no comparison the Audi wins hands down. The SS is a big roomy car and fun to drive, it has power and looks great but the handling + torque steer makes it an effort to drive other then in a straight line. The car is a gas guzzler unless you drive it slow.When you drive it aggressivly be prepared to get 12 mpg. If you set the cruise control at 62 mph on the highway you will get 19mpg. Driving easy around town your best gas mileage wil be 15 mpg. I do like the car for the money. People stop to look at this car and they really like the sound, most cant beleive its a Chevy. If the new model is RWD I will buy another one.

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  Its my wifes, but I want one too! - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By KennyMac - May 23 - 12:23 am

  We really like our new Chevrolet uplander. The interior layout is very luxurious and the electronics and options offered are incredible. The car rides higher than our old Passat, giving the kids (twins!) a grand view, which previously they did not have. We think the van looks upscale, and the white one has darkly tinted windows which makes it stand out. They is plenty of room for 6 adults or 7 if theyre friendly. Rides great, great price, looks great. The XM radio and 6-disc CD and DVD player will keep everyone entertained. Bye Bye Honda Odd (you look stodgy by comparison), and Bye Bye Sienna (cheap plastic layout), and Bye Bye Town and Country with those fancy folding lawn chair seats.

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  My trusty Corsica - 1993 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Cosica Fan - May 22 - 6:04 pm

  Let me tell you, I got this car with 194,000 miles just for a temporary ride. Once I started driving it day in and day out for my pizza delivering job, I couldnt be any happier. For the miles on this car I wouldnt of expected much but I was wrong. It really does live up to the Chevy bow-tie. To anyone considering this car, I would highly recomend it. Even today its running strong at 197,000 miles.

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  Hemi This... - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By ernie vizineau - May 22 - 4:20 pm

  My Suburban has excellent pulling power, period. Fuel economy on the highway/interstate is excellent, although I wont mention city stop & go. Ride comfort is nothing less than the Cadillac of trucks. Overall rating is a thumbs up !

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  Practical but not dull - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Joe Buckman - May 22 - 2:43 pm

  very good truck

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  Shift Lover - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Alan - May 21 - 1:54 pm

  The reason I traded my 2002 Impala in was that my wife and I were done travelling. We just needed economical, reliable city transportation. The Prizm is exactly what we needed except now wish I had a manual transmission.

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  buying a 2012 chevy traverse in 2017 - 2012 Chevrolet Traverse
  By billie - May 21 - 11:26 am

  it is a suv

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  Highly Satisfied - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By CHARLES - May 21 - 8:00 am

  Right after we purchased the HHR we took it on a trip to Ft. Wayne, IN. About a 3500 mile round trip and was so pleased with the performance and comfort of the vehicle that we couldnt believe that it was a compact. We have not had one problem with this HHR as of yet

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  First Corvette - 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  By flyboy65 - May 21 - 2:07 am

  We purchased this car 11/25/2013. What fun to drive. 3LT, Dual roof, Aluminum Chrome Wheels, Automatic, Multi-mode exhaust, Carbon Fiber Interior, et. al. Cyber Gray Metallic. Great car a real head rotator. The sharpest looking Corvette since 1963! The comfort level is amazing for a Corvette. We were planning on purchasing a MB SLK 55 AMG, but this car offered a lot more for less. The sophistication of this car is mind boggling, and the fun-to-drive factor is off the chart. This car is a quantum leap forward on the evolutionary scale of the Corvette. We are planning some back road tours in this car. the car is not perfect, but for the money it is outstanding!