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:

• 

  Big improvement!! - 2016 Chevrolet Spark
  By CHARLIE McMullen - September 1 - 8:19 am

  The car felt much bigger and smoother. The front seats were vey comfortable for my bad back. I am short, but legroom and headroom was acceptable. The interior was impressive including dash layout, colors, fabric. I did not trade yet because I owe a lot on my Smart Fortwo, but will trade soon. Try this very economical and luxurious Spark. I bet youll love it.

• 

  Its about time - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Adam - September 1 - 7:23 am

  I work for a fleet leasing company and have driven many domestic and foreign vehicles.In most cases the Japanese vehicles out drive and out last most domestic vehicles.In recent years Ive seen Ford put together some quality products Fusion, Taurus. Now GM is following suit with the new Malibu. Build quility is definitely above the Camry and design is also well ahead of most competition.If one thing stands out its how quiet the cabin is. The 6 cylinder engine is smooth and powerful and the paddle shifters work well holding gears without the kicking down in most cases.Interior room is good still a little smaller inside than Fusion or Camry however much nicer layout. All and all nice car

• 

  Love my Suburban - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By gagrice - September 1 - 2:00 am

  I use the vehicle for trips and a bit around town. Get 13 mpg consistently in town and 17 - 19 on the highway. The only thing that has acted up is the trip odometer. A dealer in San Diego replaced the unit. I have had the vehicle over 5 years with no mechanical problems. I am still driving on the original Firestone tires at 42,000 miles. I think it is a great vehicle with more room than anything on the road including the Excursion.

• 

  best big sport sedan - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By skialot - September 1 - 2:00 am

  best big sport sedan ever made. power borrowed from corvette (Stock LT1 350)police suspension.Heavy car, but you still can throw it into turns. fast 14.85 1/4 mile(stock except exhaust)smooth as silk ride. excellent gas mileage(17 city-33hwy- epa estimate on window sticker)I average 24.

• 

  Awesome car, but... - 1994 Chevrolet Impala
  By PaulyMags - September 1 - 2:00 am

  One of the biggest mistakes GM has ever done was to stop making this car. Performance wise, this SS can smoke a Mustang and any tricked-out import out there. It handles surprisingly well considering that its a big freakin car. My only problem with mine is that I have fighting with a bunch of little reliability gremlins. My car had low miles, but it seemed like it could have been maintained better. Otherwise, you cant get a better family hauler/musclecar anywhere!

• 

  used car - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mtblaze - September 1 - 2:00 am

  Worthy car for large famaily

• 

  99 Astrovan - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By me123456 - September 1 - 2:00 am

  Mostly good vehicle but had some electrical problems that 3 dealers could not diagnois. Overall it was a good truck and never got stuck in the winter snow.

• 

  my tahoe - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By rcarlson10 - September 1 - 2:00 am

  i bought it with cargo doors ,dont like a liftgate, im 66" i fit comfortablely in it, a/c works great, i live in arizona, drives like a truck not like car, but hey it fits in my garage,

• 

  Great But..... - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By papanots - September 1 - 2:00 am

  This car has it all. Luxury, fuel economy, options and.........noises! I love this car but I have had annoying creaks and cracks along the way. The brakes a very loud and have gotten worse. Dealer says they cannot change them as per GM.....well see about that. I bough this car black with tan leather interior. People still freak out over it when I drive by or park it somewhere. Fuel economy is outstanding for a car this size.

• 

  great and economic - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By rjg43 - September 1 - 1:26 am

  the equinox suv was a three month wait.but worth it. the suv has everything , heated leather seats, cd player, sunroof, AWD, comfortable ride and a purchase price under 25k. hard to beat that.