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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  great car with some flaws - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Desmo - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I have to say this car is a very good deal for the money. The car is fun to drive and it is easy on gas when at highway speeds. The handling is world class. First and second gear acceleration is very good. This car will break the rubber loose when floored while rolling at speed. I have had problems with the gas guage that has yet to be fixed. The power window motor on the pass side has gone out 2x. Also, the remote has gone out 2x. The steering lock has malfunctioned after it was replaced on a recall. The transmission pops out of reverse often. I still love the car.

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  WOW!!! - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By mikenlatina - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I went from a 91 Jeep Cherokee to a 97 Ford F150 truck to the Tahoe I own now and I am totally satisfied with the Tahoe. I feel like I am driving a "tank" so to speak, but I absolutely love it. Took the wife, daughter and dog to Charlotte from Florida for the first "road trip" in the Tahoe and it was great. Tons of room!!!!It was fanatastic. I had been wanting a larger SUV than the cherokee and this fit the bill perfectly. I give it a 9. I cant say enough about the vehicle, other than now my wife wants one too. Everyone who is ever ridden in mine comment on the spaciousness (sp?) of it.

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  My Second Impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By zmamoo - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I just bought the new 2003 base sedan. It is my second Impala. The 2000 I had I just loved. But it did give me problems with the transmission. But the dealer kept rebuilding it so I have no complaints on my dealer taking care of me. But the problem was more then I could handle so I bought the new one and I love the Impalas they are great for traveling and I put a lot of miles on a car in a year. I have room for everything in this car. And I will always have an Impala as long as they make them.

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  perfect - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Greendayhbt26 - January 3 - 2:00 am

  i have the 4 cyl with the 5 speed tranny, and all i got to say is it has incredable gas milage and pretty good acclerartion/power. the only problems i have had so far were that my wiper module had to be replaced which wasnt big, and just tonight i found out both my back up lamps arent working. other then that its been great. i bought it with about 33,000 miles on it and it looked new. everytime i change my oil, it looks like its just been changed, ver clean engine. so far the paint is great, very few scratches for being 5 years old, and the only rust is on the undercarrage.

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  Class by itself! - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By aimsbrown - January 3 - 2:00 am

  A friend of mine took it for a test drive, stopped by a store and was returning home when he was pulled over by the police. Eventhough this is really a fast vehicle, the friend was not speeding, the officer just wanted to know what kind of car it was and if it was a concept car or production model. The first time I took it out, I fell in love with it! It is the new muscle truck for the true enthusiast. It drives almost like a vette without being as expensive nor sitting so low.

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  Charlies Tahoe - 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By chabea - January 3 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this SUV new and it has never let me down. It is great in snow. I got through 20 inch snow fall in 1996 when nothing else in my neighborhood could. Ive had oil changed every 3.000 miles and basic dealer maintenance - the truck still drives like new!

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  mixed feelings - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By volson71 - January 3 - 2:00 am

  Bought the van 2 1/2 weeks before making a 2000 mile trip 3 days after purchasing, had a problem with the fuel injector, which ended up needing to be replaced. On our trip, the driver side sun visor fell out and needed to be replaced when we returned. Fairly comfortable in the back seats (we have the captains chairs in the middle row), especially with the leather interior. Not crazy about the way it handles, feels like youre tipping when going around corners. Ride is not very smooth, especially going up hills. Brakes seem rough, especially in icy conditions. Handles well on snow, however.

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  I love this car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By banshee2700 - January 3 - 2:00 am

  I had a 93 cavalier (base model) i loved it so after 2 years of driving it i felt i had enough experience and i wanted a new car.I pulled up on the lot and this was the first car i saw. The next thing i knew i was driving it on the highway loving every minute of it. After that it was sitting in my driveway 5 days later..

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  50th Anniv. Corvette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By tradesboss - January 3 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car Ive ever owned. To get the same features on a European sports car would cost over 100K. Anyone looking for an awesome driving experience should buy the C5 corvette. A limited number of 50th Anniversery Convertibles exist but you can still find them. This car is fanatastic to drive,ride and look at. What a pleasure to own.

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  EXCELLENT - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By PAUL GILES - January 3 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE OWNED MANY IMPORTS IN MY LIFE INCLUDEING THE NEWLY RELEASED SUV HONDA PILOT. THE FIT AND FINISH AND DRIVEABILITY OF THE SUBURBAN IS UNCOMPARABLY BETTER! THE INTERIOR ROOM, RELIABILITY AND GAS MILEAGE FAR EXCEED ANY IMPORT I HAVE RESERCHED AND OWNED.