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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  matts review - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mattdude - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Very good car, i would suggest to buy it.

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  love of a legend - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Aw311 - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Great performance of a 60s muscle cars like the 427 camaros of old, with double the fuel economy, three times the amount of handling and features. Best of all the Ls1 V8 aluminum block with alot of performance availability, what a push rod legend. These cars can really lay down the low end power. Ad a good exhaust and air intake and 400 hp is not too far off for under half the price of expensive imports or the vette. Great driving on back roads and drag strip launches on high way on ramps what a blast to drive..

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  bought a LEMON yellow - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By twtybrdrn - June 11 - 2:00 am

  the car stalls suddenly without warning while shifting, the spare tire is a joke, it blew out on a major highway, leaving me no choice but to have the car towed on a flatbed, the back seats are very narrow and hard. poor exceleration and loose gears

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  It was A Blessing - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Blessed - June 11 - 2:00 am

  First,lets thank God for the auto.It looks and runs great,A1 sound system good gas milage,its just awsome to be in a chevy .I remember driving in my aunts Chevy,when I was a good back in the 70s tis is certainly NOT THAT CAR by any means..................

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  2005 Chevrolet Corvette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Mike Saton - June 10 - 8:56 pm

  FAST CAR.

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  Problems too early!! - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By scott - June 10 - 3:16 am

  This truck looks better than the new Ford (ugly tailgate), but the cloth interior has to be cleaned with a lint brush and tape. Very hard to get clean. I have had the truck in the shop for a new transmission and problem with solenoid hose was routed wrong causing a loud noise. The transmission went out in 3 months. The automatic tire pressure gauge light came on 2 days after I drove it off the lot and they have attempted 2 times to reset it without success. The price was right on this truck, but will probably never buy another Chevy.

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  ...A GOOD BUY - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By BIG DADDY - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I BOUGHT THE TRACKER OVER FOUR YEARS AGO AND I HAVENT EVEN HAD TO REPLACE A MUFFLER. LOT OF LEG ROOM UP FRONT AND HEAD ROOM GALORE. THE 4CYL. ISNT QUITE ENOUGH, BUT THEY NOW COME WITH A SIX.ITS THE EASIEST SUV TO PUT THE SEATS DOWN, PACK UP AND GO. I PLAN ON HANGING ONTO MY TRACKER FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS.

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  My Venture Experience - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By lnorman - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I loved my Venture van. However, it was my 2nd Chevrolet to own, having previously owned a Cavalier. It is only 2 years old and the air conditioner quit and has to have a new compressor. I bought it as a program car so unfortunately the warranty is out. The air conditioner quit in my Cavalier after only 2 years also! I am angry about the a.c. system not lasting more than 2 years. I traded in my 2 year old van yesterday. I am sad because I truly loved my Venture van. I will never own another Chevrolet. I am sad because I truly enjoyed my Venture experience.

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  An American Legend Lives On. - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Gordon - June 10 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Vett, they keep getting better, fantastic power, great ride and unbelievable gas mileage for a car with this amount of power. No mechanical problems to date. Lots of after market performance parts available. Cost of service is very reasonable.

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  Disappointed - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By lupeknight1 - June 10 - 2:00 am

  Dont let the looks of this car persuade you into buying it. This car devours gas and is far from being reliable. Atleast mine has continously given me transmission problems. Its interior is very roomy, but there are plenty of other SUVs with the same attribute and better quality.