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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  Its Perfect - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Ricard - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Its roomy, quite comfortable, rides great, great fit and finnish. Should I go on! This is my second Suburban in 2 years. My first a 2000 LS was traded in only because I wanted to get out of my lease. I had absolutely no problems with it. However, my 2002 seems "tighter". The 02 was manufactured in Wisconsin and the 2000 was out of Mexico. Shouldnt be any difference but I do notice subtle differences.

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  So far so good. - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Magin - July 1 - 10:00 am

  At 15000 miles I have yet to see any problems. The truck seems to be getting better and better. The duramax is wonderfully quiet and the Alison transmission is shifting seamlessly. At first I was worried about all the new technology but it is working like a champ. Plenty of interior room. Loads of power and quite fast too.

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  Real American Sedan - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Alice - July 1 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy my Impala. I do a 130 mile/day commute and find it to be very comfortable, good on gas, and because its a full size sedan, I feel as if I have something to protect me against all the big SUVs on the road. Five adults can fit in the car very comfortably. Smooth, quiet ride. Minimum maintenance. Never let me down. Good in the winter.

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  Great daily driver - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By amp108 - July 1 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car and very reliable. I have never had to have any major work or any problems with anything on the car. The car gets very good gas mileage (25-30) and is quick compared to other compacts.

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  2002 Chevy Venture WB Edition Review - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Venture Owner - July 1 - 2:00 am

  You get what you pay for. The amenities are nice & its a versatile vehicle. Bumpy ride knocks passengers around especially on roads in need of repair, over railroad tracks, and in parking lots with speed bumps and gutters. Had to have several warranty repairs to A/C, reverse sensors, weather stripping. Terrible scraping sound during breaking even though breaks are still over 60% & absent of condensation.

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  HOT MAMA - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By flos smith - July 1 - 2:00 am

  VERY NICE CAR RO DRIVE THIS IS THE BEST

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  Garbage - 2011 Chevrolet Impala
  By Me - June 30 - 7:34 pm

  Youll be getting rotors every 6 months. Definitely not designed for a hilly state. This big cars has 190 horsepower. Thats a joke. Transmission went out at 45k but it was under warranty. Thats my selling point. Its in excellent condition with a new transmission. This car is for senior citizens.

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  Check it out - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By HG - June 30 - 5:43 am

  If your looking at the CR V you should check into the 2010 Equinox. Would never consider a GM before but this car changes that. Brought a LT no Navi, 6 cylinder. Im really happy with my purchase it handles well the interior is excellent and looks great

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  Im gonna miss you olgirl - 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By GM Girl - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car since we bought it new. She doesnt owe us a nickel! With 188K miles on it, my husband still takes her out on roadtrips over 400 miles one way. He travelled from Philly to Cle on a single tank of gas. He has driven this car very hard over the years and she still just zips right along. Now that he has a new truck, Im left choosing between the 96 Saturn with 120K miles or or my old faithful girl. Guess which one Id choose?? But with my luck, the day I sell the Saturn and all its troubles, my cav will give up the ghost! This is our 2nd Cav, and Id buy another if I didnt have 2 growing kids.

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  Lemon - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By orangeavalon - June 30 - 2:00 am

  We have spent alot of money keeping this on the road and running.