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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  Good car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Mr_Picks1 - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Fun car to drive to drive with the 5 speed trans, great gas mileage, very quiet motor.

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  Fast and Fun - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By titababy - December 19 - 10:00 am

  When I first got in the car it seemed to just fit me like a glove.I stepped on the gas and I took off like a bolt of lightening. It looks real sporty and it is real roomy.I dont feel like Im in a sardine can.I love it........

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  Chevy Sinks Like A Rock - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By acme - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Since I have owned this POS I have replaced Two water pumps, two starters and three altinators. All parts replaced were GM factory parts. As for the interior the dash cracked fater the first year and the seat frame broke and I only weigh 185 lbs.

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  2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By kparks - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I have driven this vehicle for the past 2 years and I still love it. The SUV is fun to drive overall. Mechanically the SUV has been excellant and Chevrolet has provided a service level above my previous experience with them. Looks like they have finally come around with providing first class customer service.

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  wish you were here - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Z28Rick71 - December 19 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to drice, especially if you crave American muscle-car performace. V8 Power, a loud exhaust, and that classic jet fighter look, although later editions of this rear-drive torque-monster have a face like the Concorde, and we are not talking about the supersonic jet here either. On long trips the harsness of the Z28 experience can get on your nerves but the gas mileage will be surprisingly good. I have gotten 26 MPG in this car! driven strictly around town expect a mere 16. especially if you have a haeavy foot.

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  Great car! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By sthaydock - December 19 - 2:00 am

  My Chevy Venture has been excellent. The adjustable seat configurations are great for my family of 5 plus a dog. The car has been very reliable. I would definitely get a new one.

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  Its been around awhile - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By JumpinJack - December 19 - 2:00 am

  We bought this small suv in 2001 with 24k and I now have 50k. Had a leak in the oil line hose (few drops in the driveway) and it was fixed under warranty. I keep my vehicals till there done and I plan on having this suv until it has at least 150k. The body and interior look as good as you maintain it or beat it up. So, the main thing I look at is this engine/trans has been around a long time and I have friends who have put over 160k on thier older blazers and they still run. This truck will not ride like the new car-like suvs or get you the milage of them. They also wont cost you a small fortune to own.

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  Best Vette yet. - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jim2914 - December 19 - 2:00 am

  We took our car on a 550 mile trip and we were getting 23 mpg. I just put in 6th gear cruise control at 65mph. When we got there we felt great. To do this trip in our 62 or 69 or 73 or 78 would have been painful. Best vette yet.

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  Super buy on a used van - 2015 Chevrolet Express
  By Sean McMichael - December 18 - 12:49 pm

  This is a 2015 Chevy Express LT 2500 van. Its the 12 passenger mocel with the 6.0 liter engine. I bought it to haul my dogs around in as we go to shows and performance events. Its got a nice interior and the multiple rear ac vents are great foR keeping the dogs cool. Exterior is in great shape and it looks good going down the road. Drives very easy (of course, Im downsizing from a Dodge B3500 so pretty much anything drives better). Have made several short trips and Im really satisfied with it.

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  Ive been spoiled - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By chris b - December 18 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car new with 11 miles, now I have 63,000. I still love it. The only problem is the cassette player doesnt work (so what). I still get complements on it, Gas mileage is pretty good for a car with this performance. Its just as comfortable on the road as my friends Corolla or my girlfriends Accord. Why this car was discontinued and replaced with the SSR is beyond me. Ive been shopping for a new car, but nothing tops my SS, so I keep my money