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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  Move over, fast lane slugs - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By wriddle - March 7 - 2:00 am

  This is a real nice car, excellent convertible top functionality (though it leaks in automatic car washes), no lack of power, handles quite well, adequate mileage out of stock goodyear tires, large doors are a pain in tight parking spots, six speed can be a bear in stop and go traffic, leather seats could be better bolstered, gets a lot of positive commewnts by passers-by.

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  mini van - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By ltimer - March 7 - 2:00 am

  best van we have ever owned

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  Malibu Baby - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Candie - March 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best car i have ever driven. its not too big and not too small its really good locking and it drives smooth and comfortable this is a really wonderful car.

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  I love my suburban ! - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mavjoh - March 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle to commute long distances. It has excellent ease of use cruise control coupled with the smart review view mirror and side mirrors. Visibility and ride characteristics are great in ALL weather conditions, night and day. I have really enjoyed the heated seats during winter weather conditions and love the autoride suspension that smooths the road out, even in rough road conditions. I feel very safe in this car and after my first 10K miles, have had nothing but good performance from this vehicle.

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  First Suburban - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Dan in South Dakota - March 7 - 2:00 am

  Recently purchased first Suburban after looking at many different SUVs. It is simply the most vehicle for the money and can be purchased for a reasonable cost if you keep the options list short. It comes with a lot of standard features.

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  I loved mine! - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By JCarter - March 6 - 2:00 am

  I just sold mine with 84,000+ miles, only because I need a bigger vehicle for my growing family! No mechanicle problems at all! Had the roter worked on once, but it was because I had to stop so hard and fast in a traffic jam. I did routine maint. on everything, and my car was a dream to own. I loved taking long trips because of fuel econ. and comfort, and would handle speeding fine!

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  No Trade-In Value - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By advmicro - March 6 - 2:00 am

  Okay vehicle to own. To trade-in value. DSP extended warranty is a joke.

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  Simply awsome - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By LSCAV - March 6 - 2:00 am

  at first i wanted to get the 2002 cavalier model that was out but i waited longer and when the 2003 came out i loved the new body style and went to check it out and drive one and now i own it. I love it!! My first new car and i have no intentions of selling either. It is also my 3rd cavalier after owning a 1991 and 1994 model which were very nice as well but only base models and were very good on gas as the new one has already proven.

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  excellent car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By al m - March 6 - 2:00 am

  this car is outstanding, excellent buy.

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  You get what you pay for - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By DJ43 - March 6 - 2:00 am

  Chevy is not what it used to be! ! ! My first new car was an Impala in 1963 and I loved it. Had to change push rods and tappits but it was easy to do. Just a few after-noons in the garage. It was great when you could do your own maintenance. Id like to own another Chevy but I do not think I would get the best for my Buck. See you in 2005 (perhaps).