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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  Gotta have the Warner Bros option - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By soccerdad - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Still not sure how I ended up with an American made vehicle after owning many imports that did not give me any reason to change my ways. The 0% 60 month financing was the back breaker because no import vans offered even close to that back in 2000. The 2-3-2 modular seating is a great feature for our family of 5. We can still get everyone in and have tons of room in back for those long trips. The Warner Brothers video player has performed flawlessly and has made the aforementioned trips a breeze for adults and children. It has been quite hard recently to find a vehicle that has the same amenities while retaining the value that we have in this minivan.

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  This Lil SUV is Fun, quick...Great Buy - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By DHmassage - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This Lil SUV has been a tremendous blessing. Great for off road driving. Fun and easy for City & High way Driving. In regards to features,you get more than what you paid for. Bought 75,000 bumper to bumper warrenty

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  Fun To Drive - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Maria9254 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this in September and the only regret I have is that I did not buy it sooner. It is so much fun to dive and so dependable

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  Our "Goin Up North" Vehicle - 2001 Chevrolet Express
  By johnandlore - November 12 - 2:00 am

  We bought this van in Oct. 2001 when GM first came out with 0% financing. It has been a real workhorse ever since - towing our jet-skis, hauling building supplies, or just ferrying us to our Up North cottage. Everyone who rides in it is amazed at the roominess. The ride is surprisingly smooth, and the kids love the TV/VCR with the A/V hookups.

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  Z06 - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 03z06eb405hp - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is so much fun to drive it should charge you to drive it. Blinding acceleration along with glued to the pavement performance are features this car flaunts.

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  I LOVE MY NOX!!!! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Howard G - November 11 - 9:10 pm

  I love my Equinox. I read a lot of reviews about it and decided I needed to go find out for myself. Once I drove it.......I loved it! I thought with all of the bad reviews out there that this car was awful, but looked good. I test drove it on a Friday night and was there Saturday afternoon to pick it up! Ive only had it for 3 days, but I havent had any problems. I also chose to buy the demo because it was already "broken in". Due to this, I get great gas mileage! :-) My family loves it but couldnt believe I got rid of my sports car for a SUV!!! I would highly recommend everyone to buy one, but dont because I enjoy not seeing too many on the road. I like the looks I get! :-)

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  Love my Chevy - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 49alaska49 - November 11 - 3:25 pm

  Ive owned this truck for 8 years now and it now has around 150,000 miles on it. It has been a great truck with very minimal repairs. My fuel pump went out at 120,000 miles and my alternator just went out at 149,000. Both were original parts! I live in Alaska and haul my snowmachines, 4-wheelers, and boat all over the state, and the transmission has lasted 150,000 miles and still going strong. I took off my 1/2 ton leaf springs and swapped them with 3/4 ton springs to help with heavy loads. Other than that, I have not modified the truck at all. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a truck at a good affordable price.

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  A Good Report - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Bill Barr - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I drive approximately 30K miles a year. Ive only had my Blazer for repairs twice and the only problems that I had were a bad gas cap and a rattle inside of the door. My Blazer has been a pleasure to drive and the maintenance that I perform my self is easy to do. At 89K miles, I still have the factory brakes and shocks. Aside from replacing the remote oil filter lines, I have had no problems with my vehicle.

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  Awsome Z06 - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Zedohsix - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Car is great. Spend your time looking around at the lots or opt for the museum delivery. Build quality varies from car to car. Look at body panel, and door fit, they are not consistant so if your picky look for a good one. I wish somebody told me. Paint and body panel straightness is the same, look for a good one. If you are not picky on fit and finish dont worry about it the car is just awesome.

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  Z06 - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ARTG - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Upgraded from a Porsche 930 --- no car can compare to the shear power, performance and handling. Love it!