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:

• 

  Keep making them - 2003 Chevrolet Astro
  By tawaanda - August 22 - 2:00 am

  I love the height of the vehicle. I love the amount of room, I always feel like I have room for everything. I like the roomyness. It is very comfortable to ride in. It is easy to drive and manuver. Mostly the fact that I can see what is going on. The drivers seat is extremely comfortable.

• 

  i love my van - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By eldockside - August 22 - 2:00 am

  THE CHEVY VENTURES ARE BUILT AT THE GENERAL MOTORS, DORAVILLE PLANT IN DORAVILLE, GA.I HAVE SEEN THEM BEING BUILT AND I KNOW PEOPLE WHO BUILT THEM, THEY ARE HARD WORKING AMERICANS AND I WILL SUPPORT THEM BY BUYING AMERICAN, AND I CAN SAY I LOVE MY TRUCK, I STAND FIRM WITH THE PEOPLE WHO BUILD THEM, MY MONEY WILL STAY IN THIS COUNTRY, I WILL NOT BUY FROM OVERSEAS, THE FOLKS I KNOW AT DORAVILLE HAVE CHILDREN AND I WILL SUPPORT THEM,I HAVE FOUND NOT ONE PROBLEM WITH MY VAN, IT IS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE, HAPPY MOTORING

• 

  2002 Malibu - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By cudagtx - August 22 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Malibu from 1997(the other was a 2000). Each one has been better than the previous one. This is the first Malibu that I bought used, it was one year one when I purchased it, and this is best by far, better than the other two.

• 

  No Nonsense Family Car - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By McLearen - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Car was won on "The Price is Right" and sold to Car Max with 123 miles on it. I was the lucky one who bought it. Its a base model with the power/cruise option pack. The car is really much more than many people say - good comfort, good power, comfortable seating that encourages long trips with little fatigue. Have put 16000 on it so far with no complaints. Would like to see more in the way of storage in the center console, and a metal ash tray instead of the plastic one (smoker). Only thing I dont like is the common problem with all new cars - no vent window. Sorry to see this body style discontinued - new one stinks.

• 

  ode to a chevy - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By katiekuhkgvfy - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Corvette has been and always will be americas sports car. Its sleek and easy and well equipped. It handles very well with the power still there. This is my absolute hands-down favorite car. Its yours too!

• 

  I LOVE It!!!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By KHutson - August 22 - 2:00 am

  I am so glad I have this Truck. I do not commute with it because the gas mileage is what it is. It is very comfortable and with a bad back the full featured seats with heat are the way to go! The car talks to you and tells you everything you need to know. The handling, stereo system and quad bucket seats are the best. The power is unmatched. Visibility is perfect. I really love this truck.

• 

  the best - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mommy1 - August 22 - 2:00 am

  I love bing able to take the kids and go shopping at the same time. I have plenty of room and often avoid having to take two cars when extended family visits. I park it in New York City with no problem, even on the street. I will always own this type of car!

• 

  Love my Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By RKline - August 21 - 11:56 pm

  My Chevy Equinox if fairly new, but have to tell everyone my great experience. I have fallen in love with this vehicle from the first time I actually got behind the wheel. Ive been a Chevy man for years and this SUV has captured me again. Ill never buy another car again. This is everything I have wanted in an SUV.

• 

  Good car at a good price. - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By AHapka - August 21 - 2:00 am

  3.8 liter V-6 engine works well, gives plenty of power for a large car. Very spacious and comfortable.

• 

  Indiana Johns Review - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By IndianaJohn - August 21 - 2:00 am

  I like the overall design but, stupid things have gone wrong. Three trips to dealer to replace back window lock. Door bushings failed. Front wheel bearings failed. Power steering pump failed. Oil lines failed. 4-wheel drive engage module and motor system replaced twice. All of this before 50k miles. I drive a flat smooth 4 lane road for 95% of the milage. These things should not be failing.