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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  A Dream Come True - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By S.Hall - February 17 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been the car of my dreams since 1998, when I first saw a 98 Camaro SS. While this isnt the SS, its easy to make it look and act like one. The styling of this car is controversial, you either love it or hate it. The front end looks stolen from the Chrysler Concorde to many, and share a distinct similarity... but thats where any comparison ends. This car is FAST, STRONG, and the very picture of AMERICAN MUSCLE!

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  Better than expected - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By homerkc - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this van for my wife, expecting a good vehicle. Its a great van - a nice surprise. It is comfortable, roomy, not too wide on the outside (easy to park!), and economical - for a van. My wife loves it, and I enjoy driving it, too. My only concern is the longer term problem with intake manifold leaks. Is it fixed on the 2004? Time will tell. Still, were happy with it. It s a great value.

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  A Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By T. Jackson - February 16 - 10:26 pm

  Overall, this is a great car the only problem I have is that its fuel economy isnt all that good. But, I mean what do you expect, and my vehicle is a V6 therefore the 4 cylinder may be better. But, other than that I love it!

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  I Got A Lemon - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Done with GM - February 16 - 6:50 pm

  The truck is beautiful and fun to drive. I got a lemon. Transmission problems have caused it to be in the dealer more than in my garage. Finally GM will replace the transmission. I have also had window and electrical problems. I should have had my mechanic check this new truck before I bought it. The transmission was obviously leaking for a long time. GM/Chevrolet was very nasty about fixing the problems.

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  Wolf - 1992 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Mark Wolfenden - February 16 - 2:00 am

  The Chevy Suburban is the best vehicle that I have driven of all vehicles that I had had. My next Subburban will be my 4th one and will continue to buy a suburban unless I happen to try something new which is highly unlikely at this point in time.

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  Gets Me Where I Want to Go, Every time - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By oldcrewjock - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Prizm is a good, reliable, cheap ride. Bought it new as a stripper, commuter car. No options except a rear window defogger, an AM-FM radio, and a tachometer. Good highway gas mileage (30 mpg in winter and 37 in summer). Around town mileage could be better (24 mpg winter and 28 summer). Had very few repairs. Fairly easy to change oil and oil filter. Has 81K miles now. Intend to keep it till it dies, hopefully when it reaches 200K. Peppy acceleration for a 4 cylinder. Teenage daughter has been trying to claim the car for her own. She has begun driving it to school.

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  Mt Runner - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By mt goat - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I have the Lsi with power moon roof, manual 5 spd. This is everything I have been looking for. I was impressed by the power because the first thing I did was floor it up a huge hill. I drive it up to a ski resort every Sunday in winter where Im on the ski patrol. I havent had a problem on icy roads and I love the gas milage.

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  Reliable solid automoble - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By sgtniz - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Great transportation love it .

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  Why did they (GM) quit making this car - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By sambosky - February 16 - 2:00 am

  It might be plain on the outside but hey it is so reliable. The last one lasted six years and I only did oil changes. It would have lasted six more years....I just wanted a new one. Sam

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  2003 Astro LT AWD Review - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By Soilbiology - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Lacks cramped room of the smaller vans (ventures, caravans, aerostars, etc.). More room, more power.