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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  Rides like a dream! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mondiajo - December 13 - 2:00 am

  I commute 130 miles daily. This car is fuel efficient (I get about 425-450 miles/tank of gas.) and it was inexpensive to purchase.

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  Not happy anymore - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By exchevygirl - December 13 - 2:00 am

  I only had my car for 10 months and it has been into a Chevy dealer twice to be repaired. The front brakes were grinding, the front axil squeeked constantly, the heater makes a terrible noise when its on and overall I am not happy with the Cavalier. I had an older Cav the had over 160,000 miles on it and was 10 years old and I never had problem with her...wish I kept that car.

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  My old SUV on Sterioids - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By wiselteats - December 13 - 2:00 am

  Cowboy caddy, redneck limosine were some nick names for the Burb that I used to utter in my mind when I would see one pass me in my 4Runner on the interstate back in my supremely loyal Toyota owning days. To be swayed away from Toyota to Chevy by the impressive Suburban should speak volumes to not only Toyota and other SUV designers but to the droves of rabid Toyota SUV loyalists (me being a former one). This ride rocks.

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  2002 Z06—Better Than You Think… - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By n938b - December 13 - 2:00 am

  The 405 hp Z06 is a terrific car. No fan of the Corvette since mid-year Stingrays, my first drive in a C5 changed my opinion instantly. Solid without the cowl shake, squeaks, and rattles of the past. Low sills, analog dash, comfortable seats. But it was the greatly improved rigidity that made me a believer that Chevrolet finally got the car right… or close to it. If you havent driven one, dont let old perceptions preclude consideration of this terrific performing automobile.

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  Truck Saved my life, very well built - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Mandi78 - December 13 - 2:00 am

  I recently rolled my Tahoe over twice on the highway doing approx 60mph and literally other than being bruised up I walked away from the accident.. The truck also saved my baby (I am 9mos pregnant) and the baby is fine as well.. I must say the truck is top heavy I have always said that but it certainly help up well.. The only downfall now is that because the truck is so high priced the insurance company is fixing the truck (25,000 worth of damage). But defenately worth the $$$

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  Chevy Z71 - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mikhelin Desuderio - December 12 - 8:33 am

  Z71 is very aggressive ride, dont dare to use a Z71 Chevy in the city area with a few pot-holes. Dont let anyone 300lbs sit on tailgate. This tailgate is the only weak spot for all Chevy trucks

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  Good for Intended Purpose - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By wongsljp - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Suburban after fully thrashing our Previa minivan in places that it wasnt designed for, and to that end, the Suburban does great. However, here are a few trade-offs you should be aware of and willing to live with. Everything works - sort of: the interior trim rattles when you drive over rough roads (random plastic bits break off), the wipers do funny "dances," wind noise through front doors, noisy at highway speeds, and the seating/cargo arrangement is limiting.

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  Did you say Lemon - 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By You can have mine - December 12 - 2:00 am

  This model set Chevy back a few years. Within the first year of this new car, I had injectors, fuel sensor, oxygen sensor, dash, head gasket and electrical system all fail and need to be replaced. The problems didnt stop there and I happily traded it in for a loss.

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  Dont buy Chevys - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By William Jeffers - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a T-top camaro from Carmax in may of 03 and the car leaks from the t-top when it rains and when i wash it. It still had the majority of the manufactures warranty on it so I tried to have chevy fix it and they told me that t-tops will leak and that it cant be fixed. Its a characteristic of the vehicle. Beware!!!

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  Nothing but trouble! - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By sicentird - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with only 11,000 miles on it and yes it ran great for about 3 months, after that you name it it happened. The clear coat on front bumper started flaking off, back drivers side window would not work properly, tires did not hold to wet roads, replacement of 1 tire usually leads to all four because of computer (and at around $80 per tire)gas tank is plastic and small, and lets not forget I had to have my computer sensors reset twice, and it depreciated faster then anything. What happened to Chevy being the best. I will never purchase another Malibu ever.