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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  Gotta love the vette - 1995 Chevrolet Corvette
  By cartman - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive been in my vette now for a couple of months and Im very happy with it. The car has power to burn, handles like a dream and allows you to not worry about those short passes into oncoming traffic. Love the styling of the C4!

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  Good Experience Turns Sour - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Fiji111 - May 9 - 2:00 am

  My car performed great until around 17,000 miles. Heater core cracked and soaked my passenger carpet with coolant. A number of rattles have developed. Bad odor coming from vents required the dealership to install a special blower fan (aparently there is a GM bulletin on this issue so it is not unique to me). Ride is bouncy. Road/tire notice is too extensive for a vehicle in this price range.

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  Best Chevy Ive Owned - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Joe - May 8 - 10:50 pm

  Best value in small/midsize SUV category. Best Chevy Ive owned. Very smooth transmission. Nice acceleration. Great looks (inside and out). AWD is wonderful in rain and snow. I got it loaded and couldnt be happier. I read all the ratings in here and most are on the mark. Cupholders are flimsy, but the rear headrests have not been an issue. I would highly recommend this SUV

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  Excellent Afffordable Luxury SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Justin Bell - May 8 - 1:16 pm

  IT IS A FUN SUV TO DRIVE

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  Great First Car - 1992 Chevrolet Lumina
  By tec - May 8 - 2:00 am

  150,000 miles and going strong. Has carried me through snow storms, getting married, having our first kid. Every time I get behind the wheel and drive on the hiway it feels like a race horse wanting to go faster and faster. Its low to the ground, wide wheel base makes it a joy to drive. The speedometer says up to 85mph , but who are they kidding.

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  Farewell GM - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Dallas Driver - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Very good experience to a point. Vehicle is 7 yrs old, only 42,000 mi. Front passenger seat EZ release cable breaks frequently resulting in 2hr labor fee. Now a head gasket is leaking. Have been told this is common to this engine. Had a shifting sensor go out at 26,000 mi. Battery tray problem resulted in leaking battery and corrosion.My previous SUV was an 89 K5 Blazer-paint peeled,factory engine defect resulted in engine overhaul at 81,000 mi and tranny went out at 90,000mi. all at my cost. Chevy engines seem to have built in problems.

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  The wonders of a 1st car - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Gloveperson - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I just bought the Z/28, and it is my first car!!!!!! And what a first car!! Explosive performence, great looks, and the wonderfull rumble of an American V- 8. What more could a 17 year old male want??!? I bought it with 89,000 miles on it, but the previous owner took wonderfull care of it, so I have to do zero matinence. All around gorgeous. Chevy, listen. BRING BACK THE CAMARO!

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  Great LT4 - 1996 Chevrolet Corvette
  By TerryB - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car about 2 months now. It had 20,000 miles on it purchased when I got it. Great car to drive. It attracts a lot of attention. Im in my 50s, and teenagers want to race frequently in thier Camaros or Trans Ams. It is fast, gets great gas mileage, and a very good looking car. It has the Grand Sport engine, the Grand Sport wheels, and the Z-51 performance suspension. It has a 6-speed manual transmission. That is the only way an LT4 engine was sold. I am very pleased, and now, cant imagine being without a Corvette. Its about time after 38 years of driving!

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  Used 00 - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Malibizoo - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Bought my Malibu in January 03 as a replacement for my 93 Corsica, and this car is soooo much better. I love the look of my black LS with the gold emblems and the rear spoiler. This car is fun and comfortable to drive, even though the drivers seat becomes alittle uncomfortable on the back at times.

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  Great Car - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Hotwheels - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Best car on the road for the price. I have had other makes (camery) the Impala is far superior, I test drove the Impala because I was board one day. The next day I traded in my camery and never looked back. The Impala is Roomy, great mileage, many features, nice seats, great looks.