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 opinion of 2004 Tracker - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By James Luther - December 6 - 2:00 am

  While the 2004 Tracker may be small, to me the design and performance of this vehicle ranks very high. The fact that Chevrolet now makes this vehicle is why I purchased this vehicle for my wife and daughter.

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  Dealer has my car more than I do!!!!!!!! - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mindyj - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I wish I would have never bought this car. WORST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE! The dealer has had the car as much as I have if not more. Car stalls on me when I put it into drive.Dosent happen all the time so they say can not duplicate it. Supposed to be fixed every time that I get it back but still have same problem. Power windows have gotten stuck. Cigarette lighter and power volt have both been blown. Say it was my car carger but it workes in every other car. Oh yeah they say a cigarette lighter is not the place for a car charger. Odometer light went out. Clunking in steering when I turn. Been to dealer at least 10 times.

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  I love my car! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By KariLynn - December 6 - 2:00 am

  As this is my first car and I needed one to get back and forth from work and to and from college and my apartment I must say the Cavalier has completely fulfilled my needs and expectations... and more! I love how simple it is to drive and the sporty look that even the sedan has. An excellent buy for its price range!

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  avalanch - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By streetcop - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I love everything about it execpt that it has no place to store the wireless headphones.

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  My Avalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Colt90 - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I have owned the Chevy Avalanche Z66 for about 7 months and I LOVE it. It is fun to drive and practical.

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  Its pretty cool. - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Mr. Dave - December 5 - 10:00 am

  I went to look at one of these while scoping out a new family car. The interior is huge, theres only three of us and we all fit fine. Its comfy. My car has every option, minus the heated seats. I like it. Gas mileage is fabulous, I have a 64 mile commute and I get 27 without even trying. Handling is good for a large car - lets face it - this is not a small car, naturally it is not going to handle like sports car. But, it goes where I point it and it stops well too. If you still want more remeber nobody said you cant add bigger rubber or modify the suspension!

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  Love the Z34 - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Z34 Lover - December 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car just over 2 years. Ive put over 60,000 miles on it since I bought it (about to rollover 100K). It is very comfortable, powerful, stylish, and fun. Considering the mileage Ive racked up on it, my Z34 still looks and feels like she came off the showroom floor. However,problem I have had include: a faulty brake switch (a cheap fix) which led to the malfunction of a solenoid in the transmission (an $800+ repair--OUCH!!). Other than that, VERY pleased with this car. If you have one or are considering one, have a mechanic plug in to the Onboard Diagnostic system to check the brake switch (and for any other problems).

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  Its Great - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Gary Weiss - December 5 - 10:00 am

  After 26 months I have, 47,500 miles on it. It has been on many trips and other stuff and is great. At 30K I had to put new front breaks, otherwise perfect. The radio speakers are starting to have problems but thats minor.Its great but it.

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  Great Buy For What You Get - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Thomas H. - December 5 - 10:00 am

  This is a very nice little car with more interior room than I would have thought. It is fun to drive and I have had no problems whatsoever with it. I would not recommend this car to a person who is looking at Cadillacs or more expensive vehicles, but would for someone looking for a nice, inexpensive new car.

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  huge bang for the buck - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jerryd - December 5 - 10:00 am

  i have a triple black ss convertible and this is the first american car i have purchased since 1989. to me this is a six speed manual,nearly 4 seat corvette. i have an slp modified car with the hurst shifter, chrome ss wheels , slp free breathing exhaust and a host of other factory mods. i am extremely pleased with the engineering of this car. it is reliable, fast, steers and brakes well and if i am careful i get approx. 30 mpg...AMAZING