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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  a great compact suv - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By steve 18903 - September 19 - 2:00 am

  This compact suv is the total package, it has power to pull a popup camper and the guts to go mudding. I love it

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  Great Buy! - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Montymax - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used, with about 35,000 miles on it. I now have about 73,500 mils on it (all done in a little over 18 months). I have had no major mechanical problems and I drive the daylights out of it. (Only fixes are a front wheel bearing, front rotors and fuel pump - onyl rotors werent on extended warranty). I would recommend this car to anybody wanting a cheap, fun-to-drive, reliable sports coupe. Very good for a first car, or for a college student...

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  Great Chevy - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Gwen A - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable and great gas milage, no problems at all

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  I hate my 2003 Cavalier - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Allana - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Well where do I start! I have owned this car for 10 months now and I have had nothing but problems. 9 warrenty issues including a knocking noise in my front passenger side tire area which has been unsuccessfully fixed with 4 attempts now. The interior squeaks all the time, the breaks arent that good, the car rides like its falling apart. The only good thing about it is the a/c and Im sure that will go soon enough! Being a student, its all I could afford but if I had my time back I would have listened to everyone who told me that GM cars are no good and went without food to lease a better car! No more north american made cars for me ever!

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  Just a review - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Lv2Dr - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Not perfect but good enough for a small family. Nice looking, smooth drive.

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  Great Ride - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By philpro - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Third Corvette Ive owned and by far the best. More than competent in every aspect--ride, handling and performance. The big criticism about cheap interior materials doesnt bother me a bit. Chevrolet put the good stuff under the hood and in the suspension. Gets good gas mileage for such a powerful car. Gets lots of respect on the street from other "performance cars".

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  Love Love Love it!! - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By J Wils - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Thought long and hard before spending the money on this vehicle. Well worth it, it fits all our needs as a big growing family and is very comfortable driving or as a passenger. First purchased a 2002, took a cross country trip from Maine to California with family, never longed for more room or anything, lots of passanger and cargo space. Traded 2002 in for 2003 this year wouldnt own anything but.

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  Tahoe baby! - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Chilly - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Just got my Tahoe Z71 4wd recently...I love the comfort the looks and performance. Ive added new tires and rims which has let to even better handling than the stock tires.....The handling and turn radius is very impressive. The extras the Chevy has included is also very impressive....I think if you like to get away or just cruise around town, This vehicle requires consideration....Im very pleased!

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  Cobalt ss/sc 07 - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By splitintlss - September 18 - 11:33 pm

  I bought this car in January of 07 so far no complaints at all besides I cant seem to stay out of it. Chevy offers the stage kits that really make the car come alive. Styling is sharp, an altogether great sport compact for anyone in the market.

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  2.4L SS is sweet! - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Quick SS - September 18 - 9:20 pm

  What a sweet car! The new Cobalt is a GREAT improvment over the Cavalier. The Cobalt has great looks inside and out is is really fun to drive. Have the first SS in the area and Im getting all the looks!