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 Wife Loves It! - 2001 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Tevident - June 20 - 9:42 pm

  I bought our two tone black & Grey Tracker a little under a year now and it has amazed all that ride in it! i purchased way below edmunds private party price with low miles for a 2001 model (60,000) and the look and feel of the vehicle is amazing. My wife always comments on how she feels like its the little-big car! Im always borrowing the tracker from her to use the cargo space it provides...Foldable rear seats and high roof work for me!

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  European Travel - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Smokeysan - June 20 - 11:59 am

  This truck overall has been an excellent vehicle. When I came home from Iraq during R&R I had to replace the brakes. Now I am at 96,000 miles I am having a few minor issues. The speedometer is working off and on and I have a few sensors that are lit. It is letting me know that I need to check the air bag and the tire sensor. Other than that the truck has been very reliable. I drive it daily in Germany and just returned from Holland on a vacation. I will by another Suburban. The only features I wish I had was a navigation with the back up camera.

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  Good car - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By fully1977 - June 19 - 4:12 pm

  Just took 2 kids and a car-load of stuff on a 150 mile one-way trip 74mph and still got 35.8mpg! "Only" got 30mpg on the return, but that included 3 days of stop & go driving to work.

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  love my lumina! - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By chevygirl - June 19 - 2:24 pm

  My lumina has almost 122 thousand miles on it and is a 99 model. I have never had any problems about it except I have had to replace my spark plugs. Besides that I have my oil changed every 3-4 thousand miles and its still rolling. I only fill up with gas about once every week and a half. Its not a cool car but it gets me from a to b, and is very reliable!

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  Great Car - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Lauren - June 19 - 9:57 am

  When I bought my car it only had 28,000 miles on it. It had been sitting for a couple years so it needed new tires, brake work, and air conditioner fluid. Runs great, never has any problems. Drives extremely smooth. I usually get about 28 mpg. It was my first car. Im a junior in high school and Im sure this car will last me well through college.

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  My Favorite Car - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By kpnj - June 19 - 7:28 am

  The Tahoe is by far my favorite car. WE leased this car new in 03 and bought it when the lease was up. I have 2 kids and a great dane. This car fits everything! The only problems are that Ive had to replace the fuel pump and transmission. Minor annoyances have been the parking brake and electrical issues, but "Bessie" has started every single time for 113,000 miles. We will be heartbroken to see her go.

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  overall Good Vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By 10Lb Dad - June 18 - 10:50 am

  I bought my Venture used with 33K Miles on it. Overall I am pleased with the van, it is comfortable (I am 6ft 6" tall) and the power seat is adjustable enough that my wife and I can both find a good seating position. Cargo capacity is excellent, whether people or other. I have hauled upwards of 1500Lbs worth of concrete blocks (the payload rating is 1450 Lbs which is 25lbs less than a std full sized truck!) after I took out the seats(which are quite heavy). I have used this van to haul motorcycles, fire wood, full size sheets of plywood, appliances, etc. The back end is cavernous once all the seats are removed but the seats are a pain to remove compared to Dodge Flipn-fold.

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  4 dpor Chevrolet Lumina 1997 - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By sally obrien - June 17 - 7:34 pm

  Excellent for comfort for trips. Easy to get into and out. Good radio for listening to. Easy to drive, handles well in good weather and bad weather. Accommodates 5 people very comfortably. Electric control for drivers seat, nice to set the seat to your height and comfort. Adjustable steering wheel to your driving comfort.

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  WOW.......almost perfect - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By whandlos - June 16 - 3:33 pm

  3k miles on a 2LT and I am blown away. Nothing,.....I mean nothing within 10,000 bucks of this price point feels as quality as this car. Gas mileage averaging 35 mpg for one hour trip each way for work and my 63" 230 lbs body is comfortable all the way. This car is amazingly quiet and rivals my coworkers BMW in riding experience. No, not for power of course.......but if you buy a cruze you are doing it for the mileage. The car has plenty of pickup for passing on a two lane highway. Not so much at all off the line, as the car is programmed not to use the turbo at low speeds to save you from yourself. With the tranny software upgrade (make sure you bring it in for that), all is good

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  Good little truck - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By tonym - June 16 - 11:17 am

  Overall I like the truck. Had some initial problems with a bad Onstar module that was draining the battery. Was fixed under warranty. Gas mileage could be better but have been averaging 20.5 mpg combined lately. Much, much better than the F150 this replaced. Decent styling, very good ride. Fit and finish of exterior could be better. Four wheel drive with locking differential was a big plus during our last New England winter.