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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  BillyBsSSR - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By billyb48439 - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I really love the attention I get when I drive My SSR. Every place I go people young & old ask questions about it. People think it has been custimized by Me. They dont know it is a prodution vehicle made in a factory & a 04 model.I am glad it is made in the USA, in Lansing MI. I would not have bought it, if was not made in USA.

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  I love this car! - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jenny Mariner - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had it for 1 month, but weve already put 2000 miles on it. Its really not bad on gas considering all the running we do. I got a 5 speed, and its really easy to drive. Im very happy with it so far.

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  Not bad at all - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By kyleA - April 22 - 2:00 am

  This car was a great bargin. The 2.2 Ecotech engine is peppy, and has a lot of torque. The steering is tight, and front bucket seats sculpt to your body. The only negotive is that the insulation underneath the car could be better. I can hear the gas in my tank sloshing around when I turn corners. I have never heard that in other vehicles. That being said, for the price I paid, this car is wonderful. This is my first GM product, and probably wont be the last.

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  I love my Cavalier - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ALE - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I actually volunteer to drive on roadtrips wiht this car. Its fun to drive and with the rising gas prices, it is very efficient.

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  I ENJOY MY NEW CAR - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By suger - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I REALLY LIKE THE CAR. ALTHOUGH IT HAS LOW RATINGS, YES I AGREE THE BODY COULD BE ASSEMBLED BETTER. (LIKE THE VIBRATING DRIVER MIRROR). I NOTICE UNEVEN PARTS AND THE ENTERIOR IS OK BUT NOTHING EXSTRAVAGENT. GAS MILEAGE IS GREAT AND ALL AROUNG I LOVE DRIVING IT AND I GET LOTS OF COMMENTS ABOUT HOW OTHERS LIKE IT.AND THE NEW ORANGE COLOR IS VERY EYE CATCHING.THE 5 SPEED MAKES IT FEEL LIKE ZOOMZOOM.

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  Best American Sports Car - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Lawdogg149 - April 21 - 4:26 pm

  I was one of the original people that ordered this car without ever seeing it. Well let me say this boy was I glad I did. This car meets all my expectations and more. The car is a looker and a performer. Why did GM wait so long to release it? After owning many corvettes and camaros this is by far there best one yet. The car is built to please.

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  Very good car...when parked. - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By kody - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 1999 Chevy Suburban only a year ago. The previous owner has all service records and apparently kept the vehicle on the recommended maintenance schedule. Unlike some reviewers have posted, I have not run into many major mechanical problems. However, I am going to complain about the countless rattles, squeaks and thumps. The build quality of this vehicle may be the worst I have ever come across (and I have owned many different cars). The new Suburbans appear to be more solid than the pre 2000 models but this car may prevent me from ever buying GM again.

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  Sorry Engine - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By okiecityguy - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I liked my Malibu. I was excited to get it. BUT...The first year I had it it had a computer malfunction. There have been a series of small things since. AC switch erratic, had to replace the alternator. Belt pully went bad. But now. Now the engine (V6) is shot! Losing coolant at an alarming rate. Needs intake gaskets! This car only has 77K miles! Sorry GM, Im out on your vehicles. My 98 Pontiac Montana (3.4L) is doing the same thing. Its in the shop now.

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  Chev Astro Production Should Continue - 2000 Chevrolet Astro
  By JimHomyak - April 21 - 2:00 am

  If you keep them clean, get them serviced on time, and like to haul lots of people and cargo, Astro is a great vehicle. Plenty of power, get-up- n-go and gets great mileage over long trips. Best MPG at 70 to 80 Mph. Averaged 22 MPG from MPLS to ORLANDO running 80% over 70MPH.

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  Chevy Venture - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Baaba - April 21 - 2:00 am

  The Chevy is ur first mini-van. The DVD is great. The seats are leather and comfortable. The featuers are nice- Onstar, rear warning, info. radio and onboard computer. M wife really enjoys it thats all that matters.