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:

• 

  Excellent Truck! - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Timmy C - April 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle used (2yrs old) and it has been an excellent truck in nearly every way. What impressed me the most was the overall ride and cabin comfort. The ride is much smoother than others I have driven. I still enjoy walking out to my truck because it is sharp! I would highly recommend this as a part-time or full-time use vehicle. When purchased, the battery and alternator had to be replaced (by the dealership), the AC compressor clutch needed replacing, and I have replaced the brakes and the rear rotors. Other than that, no mechanical issues.

• 

  High quaility performance vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By rbrose - April 2 - 2:00 am

  Very easy to drive and handle. The power (350+hp) to gas milage (30mpg) is totally mindblowing. The monitoring system is a great without the complexity like in other vehicle(very user friendly). Love the controls on the doors-clearly visible at night and sealed as to not get a debris in the switch areas (easy to keep clean w/o damaging the controls). Love it!!!

• 

  Feels big.... Is big... Not really Fun - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By brownie2k - April 2 - 2:00 am

  Roomy, powerful and a great value. However... Backing up is a complete mystery, amatuers need not apply! Once moving forward, drive is quite smooth and full of power - for a V6. Owned over 1 1/2 years and virtually no problems other than the dealership hosing me at time of purchase...but whats new!

• 

  Nice Ride but Look Out! - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Central PA - April 1 - 11:00 pm

  Bought the car with 51,000 miles on it. It is an inexpensive mid-size car great for trips however, I am leary on taking it anywhere too far! Had it for 3 months and replaced oil crancase sensor (didnt even drive it for 1500 miles). At 62,000 miles, the transmission went out without warning costing me $2800. Engine very noisy: a lot of lifter tap. Would hesitate on purchasing again!

• 

  I love it.... - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Kelly - April 1 - 10:55 pm

  I love my Cavalier, and it shows by the way it looks. My friends are surprised at how quick it is, being that Cavaliers have such a bad reputation for being slow, when my car can move quick. Anyone who is looking to purchase a Cavalier, I recommend it. I get almost 28 Miles per gallon. You cant beat that!

• 

  Conversion Van - 2004 Chevrolet Express
  By jhillen - April 1 - 5:46 pm

  Good solid vehicle for a family. Good value when compared to a Suburban. Even with 4.3L V6, it has good perfomance. Available V8 would probably be better. Locking rear axle makes winter driving very doable. Optional 4 wheel disk brakes are welcome addition to stop this 5300lb truck.

• 

  Great Car! - 1993 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Robert Marks - April 1 - 2:01 pm

  We have not had this car a year and it has required almost no repairs - just tires,which you will burn up if you drive without the stability control and are always hammering the gas. For the money this is an excellent car and a true race car. This car is one of the most fun to drive cars I have ever driven. Gas mileage is excellent for such power. The transmission is smooth. Seats are a bit stiff and the ride is much like that of a go-kart, But this car is FAST and the ride is tight. It is very hard to get in and out of. Overall a great reliable car and I have no complaints. The passive remote keyless entry is a super feature and was new this year.

• 

  excellent car for a reasonable cost - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By doug lindstrand - April 1 - 1:46 pm

  Chevy had a 5000 dollar rebate so I bought this car for under 10,000 dollars out the door tax included. It is very well equiped too. It is fun to drive, excellent power, and it has a quality feel to it. Im completely satisified and feel this car as as good as any import in this class.

• 

  2007 tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By alan - April 1 - 3:26 am

  Gorgeous vehicle thats fun to drive. Solid,smooth ride. Easy in and out with power tailgate, and power fold middle bucket seats.

• 

  I will miss it! - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sonia Q - April 1 - 1:08 am

  My very first car. The re-introduction of the classic Malibu, great looking body style, and good price got my attention. Since purchasing in 97, I put on 78,000 miles on it. Although it was 4 cyl. and no frills, it fulfilled its purpose to get me around but it also looked stylish (I have gold color). The car never left me stranded BUT, for the last 7K miles, Ive had a water pump leak problem.