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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  My Baby HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jeanie - February 5 - 5:40 am

  I purchased my HHR LT in MD. I drove it from Maryland to Florida, then from Florida to Texas. I am 66 years old, and never felt more safe as I was alone on this trip. It handled with such ease and I could "whip" in and out of traffic when necessary. It handled like a dream on my trip. It really held the road with great accuracy and definition. HHR, where have you been all my life? Youre beautiful and I love you.

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  Cant beat the leasing price - 2017 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Poor Drivers seat - February 5 - 4:57 am

  Picking up a 2017 Equinox 2LT today. On the way home, I was constantly changing the seat positions and could not find a comfortable position. The seat is similar with the Chevy Cruze, the front of the seat does not tilt down far enough and feel like sitting in the bucket. I wish the seat has five more degrees of travel. Im thinking of taking the vehicle back to have a 1/2 inch spacers added to the rear of the seat. All the money GM spent studying seats, and they still did not get it right. They need to improve is the drivers seat and provide more adjustment. Update: Dealer did not want to install the spacers so I did it myself. Used two lug nuts acting as the spacers and longer bolts, I had the rear of the drivers seat raised about 3/4". My gosh, its so comfortable now. Simple thing like this can make driving more pleasurable.

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  Chevy Suburban - 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
  By bwilch - February 5 - 2:00 am

  This is the ultimate family transport vehicle that is not shy about pulling a boat, trailer or even stumps! The highway ride is terrific and with the 4-wheel drive, its virtually unstoppable in the snow! Weve got 4 kids and they appreciate having their own space--let alone the golden retriever who has the back all to herself. Plenty of power, comfort, and heft helps maintain the heritage of the suburban!

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  My blazer - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Shellie - February 5 - 2:00 am

  Overall the car has done very well. It has required little repairs and handles long distance travel well. Through any weather this SUV has been reliable. My only beef with the car is the windshield wipers. They annoy me!

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  overall a good car - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By kyle j watterworth - February 4 - 2:00 am

  shes been good to me.....bought her last august....no problems until recently...the rear brakes started to grind horribly. got those replaced, and then the fuel pump went just out today. i still see a lot of these cars on the road and i think that mone will be around for years to come.

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  ZR2 Extended cab, 4wdr - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By darrin pohlman - February 4 - 2:00 am

  Oil coolant lines have leaked from about 2 months after purchasing the vehilce. Seat side levers are very poorly designed, broke off by just from the climate cahnges and vibration of the truck. Universal needed to be replaced prematurely....bad design

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  My moms truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By jackalous - February 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my moms truck, but I have borrowed it enough to say I love this little truck. My mom bought it repoed from a bank who knew nothing about it other than they wanted their money. Its got a great 4.3L V6. The ZR2 is a great package (style and delivery). The pushbutton 4x4 is a dream in MN winters! Only complaint is the 3rd door. Its great to have and use, but doesnt fit well! Other than that, great truck!

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  Typical GM - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By tahenline - February 4 - 2:00 am

  Gutless no-tech motor. 17mpg @ 70mph. Overly restrictive air intake. PLASTIC intake manifold. PLASTIC clutch master-cylinder. PLASTIC power-steering fluid reservoir. PLASTIC radiator end-tanks. PLASTIC headlight covers. PLASTIC front grill with water soluble coloring. PLASTIC EVERYTHING in passenger compartment. Windows that refuse to seat properly in the fully-raised position. One broken window regulator (so far). All 4 shocks leaking. Torn rubber exhaust system hangers. Throttle jams in wide-open position. Corrosive DEXKOOL "coolant". ABS system must be disabled to get any kind of reliable braking. Hyper-sensitive seatbelt retractors.

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  Den On Wheels - 2000 Chevrolet Express
  By franks350 - February 4 - 2:00 am

  A great family vehicle to own! You get plenty of cargo and passeger room.I personally have a conversion van package and love the extra headroom and accessories.What other vehicle can you drive and have to stop to calm or assist children in rear without leaving the vehicle?The tv/vcr is a god sent if you have kids and go on long rides or trips. Very reliable and trust worthy.fuel economy is a trade off with all the room and comfort you get.I was more than willing to pay at the pump and be comfortable and not crambed.

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  Solid vehicle - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tgaines14 - February 4 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my truck for this vehicle when baby #3 came along. It has been a very solid vehicle for me. I have had no major problems with it, and I just went over 104,000 miles.