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:

• 

  It smells like a sweat sock - 1996 Chevrolet Beretta
  By callAAA - September 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car a few years ago at 88000 miles. Since it rolled onto 90000 there have been thousands in repairs. A strange leak has also appeared that from my research is common in all beretta and corsica models. It will be years before I EVER buy another chevrolet. American cars be warned ... keep putting out crap and you will lose customers.

• 

  ITS REALLY AN O.K. CAR - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By MICHELLE HAPPY - September 28 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE GOTTEN USE TO V-6,AUTOMATIC ENGINES,BUT FOR A 4 CYL.-IT REALLY RUNS SMOOTH. ONCE YOU START MOVING, ITS VERY QUIET AND EXTREMELY FUEL EFFECIENT AND I ONLY PAID $1500 FOR IT.

• 

  Nickel and dimed by this SUV! - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By breakdownchevyblues - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Bought this SUV 11/96 used with 26,000 miles. Reliable up until 68,000, nothing but major problems since! Had to rebuild the transmission, manifold, fuel injection, muffler(twice), O2 sensors(more times than can mention). After 90,000 miles power just doesnt seem the same and no one can figure out why?? Side view mirrors break off too easy (use metal instead of plastic). Power windows break down often and are pain to fix. When it is running good it is great (bumpy ride, however) but overall wish we had never bought it (got SUV fever in the mid 90s)...

• 

  2001 mercer review - 2001 Chevrolet Express
  By jlmercer - September 28 - 2:00 am

  love this van we do alot of camping and it realy fits the bill , b

• 

  Venture LS is Great! - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By kellyhawkmark - September 28 - 2:00 am

  We replaced a 1998 Ford Windstar with a 2003 Chevy Venture and we couldnt be more pleased. Venture has lots of room for people because it seats 8 instead of 7. Its got less horsepower than Windstar, but it still seems to have the same amount of get-up-and-go. The features that come with the LS make the Venture a great value for the money. If you are in the market for a used vehicle, you can easily get into a Venture with alot of extras for less than you can get into an older Ford Windstar. Venture is comfortable, easy to drive, has a smooth ride and still has room for all of your stuff.

• 

  Mikes Avalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By camaromike - September 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought the "without body hardware" model and what a nice change it is! This has so far been one of the nicest riding,running,and looking vehicles I have ever owned.So far absolutely no problems with my Avalanche. Great dealer service and honest advice.

• 

  Good - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By J-dog - September 28 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is the best suv i have ever had.I recomend it to all of you who are looking to buy a full size suv.

• 

  Pretty good so far! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Lynn F1 - September 27 - 10:26 am

  The interior is much what I expected. The V8 and associated rumble are great! Im not impressed with the handling or braking, but Im kinda chalking that up to its being "just another Impala" - I dont mind terribly. Its fascinating to watch the driver display go from 4cyl to 8cyl. XM Radio is pretty cool, as are the 36! presets. Ditto moonroof, OnStar, steering wheel controls. Cant stand the auto door locks.

• 

  Best Car ever built - 1991 Chevrolet Lumina
  By chessbruno - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 170,000 on it. I hoped it would last 6 months. I paid 1450.00 and it lasted 6 years!! I drive like a bat outa heck and this car has never failed me. Still goin wuth 270,000 miles on it!

• 

  Great reliability and comfort - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Blewjaye - September 27 - 2:00 am

  this car changed gears smoothly, was quick off the line, and extremely comfortable. I am 6 feet tall and over 200lbs, and this by far was the most comfortable car in its class. Steering handled well, sound on stereo very nice, and always a crowd pleaser when parking near a large group of people.