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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  Ill do it again - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By goodtogo - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Overall I think its a great car for me. The built is what got my attention

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  Rock Solid - like the ads - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Redhead - May 15 - 2:00 am

  My Tahoe has performed admirably. Delivered with one defect - passenger seat lumbar didnt work - it stands as the most solid new car I have ever purchased. Oddly enough, it replaced a Lexus LS400 that was never right! This machine can take a beating, haul anything and never fails to perform. 2 months sitting while I travel and starts on the first turn of the key.

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  Rock Solid - like the ads - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By redhead - May 15 - 2:00 am

  My Tahoe has performed admirably. Delivered with one defect - passenger seat lumbar didnt work - it stands as the most solid new car I have ever purchased. Oddly enough, it replaced a Lexus LS400 that was never right! This machine can take a beating, haul anything and never fails to perform. 2 months sitting while I travel and starts on the first turn of the key.

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  Majestic red/ majestic car - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By david clark - May 15 - 2:00 am

  I have had almost every sport sedan and got the Vette cause a buddy convinced me I need a weekend sports car. Frankly, I am surprised at this car...it is pure fun to drive. Man when you step down it moves...what a thrill.

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  LT2 AWD 6 cyl - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Lou - May 14 - 7:46 pm

  Excellent vehicle. However, I think it is over priced from $5000 to $7000. Upholstering appears to have a problem as it relates to heated seats. Leather seats are stretching out and riding up. High pitched sound of transmission is little distracting. Great road car with excellent ride and comfort.

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  Package needs help - 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
  By RJM - May 14 - 4:02 pm

  This is the Premier line which also sums up my disappointment in the car. The under dash rattle is in harmony with the door panels that chatter. The last GM I bought was 1988 and it will be another 30 years maybe before I try one again. In our family between the two GMs, 3 jeeps, 2 dodges, 1 Ford, 3 Honda,s and 2 Hyundais prove that cars can be made that dont rattle. Its a sexy car and semi-fun to drive, just not enjoyable to own. It is a bad copy of a good import.

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  nice little car easy to park - 2017 Chevrolet Spark
  By larry schaeffer - May 14 - 12:50 pm

  had less than a month nothing to say yet

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  Good Truck for the Buck... - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By SoonerDoc - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought it used approx. 6 months ago with 60000 mi on it. Purchased an extended warranty which by other accounts on these trucks was a good idea. Few minor problems was leaking coolant (which warranty covered), also has a slip at low speeds in the steering (have not had this looked at yet), finally the exhaust manifold gaskets leak which causes a knock. All in all though, it has been a great truck. Has not let me down like my POS Ford did many times.

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  My Bu - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Chellie - May 14 - 2:00 am

  My Malibu is perfect but I would NOT reccommend going to the dealer I went to.

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  Love my Z71 - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Waveho - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Upgraded from a Mountaineer with child #2 on the way. Roomier than the Expedition, with a great 3rd row, and lots of cargo room without even putting up the 3rd row. Opt for the 2nd row capts chairs so that it is easy to reach the last row. Lousy on gas, but really not much worse than the V8 in my Mountaineer. Cant beat the comfort for the long trips.