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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  All American - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By mjm55 - August 16 - 2:00 am

  PERFECT 10!!! Finest car Ive ever owned. The new "impala", an insult to this cars fine name!!!

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  Not bad - 2003 Chevrolet Astro
  By localfamily - August 16 - 2:00 am

  So far weve only had the van for 5months. Its not bad. The things I have noticed: not enought leg room in the front seats, blind spot if you get the model with the back doors that swing out, kinda hard to get into from the front, side window fasteners made cheaply. Gas tank doesnt lock from in/out side. I thought all new cars did this now adays.

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  5 yr. owner of 1997 Blazer - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By carrie depoy - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Blazer has been a nice dependable car for last 5 yrs. Would buy another Chevy but looking at other makes at this time. Gas mileage is not the greatest but a prt of being an SUV owner. Do not like hump in front passenger seat on floor. Makes long drives uncomfortable. Minor problems included handles to recline seats both broke, upholstery not holding up well for driver seat(has been replaced), paint on windshield wipers has peeled off. OVerall good vehicle and was happy with purchase.

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  Great Van - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Charles Ring - August 16 - 2:00 am

  The Venture is hands down the best van my wife and I have ever driven.The Dodge Mini Van we previously had serious problems.The paint and head liner fell off,body rattles,drive selector fell off,air conditioner vents will not stay on and the ride was harsh. The Venture by contrast rides very well,interior quality is outstanding,gas mileage is good,handling is superior to the Dodge,has built in sound proofing for a much quieter ride than the Dodge and has a much more livable and comfortable interior.In short,the Venture is superior in every way.

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  Id love to buy another! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By TOPSK9Trainer - August 15 - 1:06 pm

  I bought my HHR in 05 and have had no problems with it at all. Not one, and all I have to say is, Im hooked. This car is a keeper in my book. I hope it continues to satisfy and suprise for many years to come. I recommended this vehicle to many people I know, and so far, maybe 6 out of 10 have bought themselves their own HHRs and have a shared opinion. Thanks Chevrolet, you wont hear me say that twice, but I like this car and look forward to a turbo kit in the future!

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  Silverado 4x4 2500 HD ex cab - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By Lee Beckwith - August 15 - 7:30 am

  Absolutely the most dissapointing purchase of my life.It shakes badly between 70 and 80 mph. I dont tow heavy and dont off road it it has stock rims and tires and its on its third pinion bearing. I cant trust it to travel. And it dosnt even have 25K on it yet. My 99 RAM had 145K and I would trust it to this day anywhere anytime.

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  So dependable!! - 1994 Chevrolet Lumina
  By anntho - August 15 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car used in 99 with 60,000 miles. We now have 160,000 miles and it has been incredibly dependant. What the 94 Lumina lacks in style it makes up for in dependability. We have only made typical upkeep trips to the shop (battery, new brake pads once, oil changes etc). We have been on 10+ trips longer than 1000 miles and the car has been excellent in comfort and reliability. We are ready for a new car, but I hate the idea of trading this one in.

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  Excelent Acceleration - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Arnela - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Excellent performance In spite of anual alignments and low miles I am on my 3rd set of tires. Heated leather seats good Plastic trim bad gages subject to glare at sunrise/suunset

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  Venture Sold! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By Venture sold! - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought this van in 2000 at 24,000 miles, currently has almost 90,000 and still no rust. No major repairs except at 83,000 the intake gasket seal leaked (about $700). We live in snowy midwest and traction is better than other FWDs weve owned. Mileage is about 16/23. The flexible seating continues to be the best part of owning this van. Drivers seat is not comfortable on long trips if you need low back support. A recurring annoyance: having to grab cups over 16 oz. when cornering. Overall, I am sad to be saying good-bye to my old friend but Ill be test-driving the 2003-04 models before the weekend is over.

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  bland - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By cosmok - August 15 - 2:00 am

  pretty boring car. our 1990 civic is more fun to drive than this car. The quality isnt all that great (after having a few Japanese cars: those that have Hondas and Toyotas... dont switch to GM). The build quality isnt something to brag about, seems GM came out with this car too quickly and cut some corners. Perhaps the newer models will improve on many old flaws that us, the customers, have had.