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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  Great little package - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By InjenCavalier - October 16 - 2:00 am

  I have not had any serious problems with my cavalier. Recently I took it on a 4478.15 mile road trip and I could not have asked for a better vehicle. The fuel economy for this car is remarkable and there is a large resource of parts if needed. Solid quality for the price you pay.

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  EASY ROLL OVER - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By cassnjake - October 16 - 2:00 am

  My fiance and I purchased this vehicle as a reliable way to transport our 1 yr old son. Luckily we did not have him with us when we went to check out my fiances shooters bench in the hedgerow... it was around 8am and the grass was slick from dew... my fiance was driving and he wasnt goofing around or anything on the grass road between the cornfields... he pushed the gas a little and the blazer did a 180 degree turn, the wheels stuck into the ground, and rolled us on our top. I would NEVER buy an SUV again. It was cray that you could roll a vehicle going only 7mph!!!! I loved the way it looked and it was very comfortable... but it is NOT SAFE!!!

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  What a great ride! - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By szerfas - October 16 - 2:00 am

  Let me start by saying this car is not for everyone. We actually have it as a summer fun car. With that being said it is everything I hoped it would be. The LS1 pulls hard all over the RPM band. The power is there whenever you want it, especially with 6 speed. I did not expect much from the cornering but for is size and live axle it sticks very well to the corner, I love finding corners to carve. The comfort is really good, long trips have been a pleasure. Decent storage space for a sports car. Take this car on a curvy hilly mountain road and no one is going to be able to wipe the grin off your face.

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  Chevy Rocks! - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By AnneK - October 16 - 2:00 am

  We frequently pull a 26 travel trailer as well as use this truck for every day use running the family around, and this truck performs beautifully. Winter weather does not affect the stability of the vehicle either. The "Auto 4WD" option is the best feature to have during those trips when the road conditions fluctuate between slippery/ice/snow to just wet. We went from a Tahoe to the Suburban and will never pick anything but Chevy when it comes to future purchases.

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  2WD Z-85 - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dale - October 15 - 7:53 pm

  What a looker this truck is with the 20" chrome wheels, maroon, extended cab, side rails and step bars. WOW - I was a GMC fan until I saw this in the showroom and had to have it. The deals are just too awesome and the vehicle is fabulous. I got the 3.23 rear end with the 5.3 and it goes 52 mph at 1,100 RPM - mileage TBD Now the bad side, the 20" tires and wheels ride terribly. If you get the HD, it is exacerbated even more. Seems almost like a roller coaster ride over even the most minor bumps. The dealer said it would go away in 500 miles, but I certainly have my doubts. Any others experiencing the same problem with this wheel upgrade package? Strongly recommend the vehicle

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  Car Performance - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By cls - October 15 - 3:50 am

  Uses too much fuel. Accelerates quickly. Be aware and conscious of speed of vehicle. Stopping suddenly is difficult while driving at anything over 35 mph.

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  99 6-Speed Corvette Coupe - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By MSUC6Vette - October 15 - 2:00 am

  The car has been great, the ride quality is amazing for how well the car handles corners. The seats couldnt be more comfortable on both long and short trips. Plenty of cargo room for two people traveling. Better than 30mpg on the highway.

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  2Door Tahoe - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By DontWorry - October 15 - 2:00 am

  Tahoe is the best full-size SUV.

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  I love my car! - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By wafb111 - October 15 - 2:00 am

  I love my car!

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  avalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By ccwaverider - October 15 - 2:00 am

  Drives like a mussle car. Love it.