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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  Avalanche 1500 Z71 - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By bduw2000 - May 8 - 2:00 am

  This is a very versatile and fun vehicle with an exceptionally smooth ride. The covered box is very convenient for all-weather hauling, and 3-pc.cover is easily stowed in the bag provided. Every feature of the bed and midgate allow the user many options because of the different combinations of open or close, on or off, etc.

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  It didnt SPARK a fire - 2016 Chevrolet Spark
  By Diana - May 8 - 1:08 am

  I rented a 2016 Chevrolet Spark and enjoyed the spaciousness of the small car interior. While driving the car was rear-ended on a highway. Both front seats broke causing the bulk of the injuries. The seat-belts stayed in tact and we were glad to have them. Seat backs broke allowing myself and my passenger to be injured by the seats. Additionally, the seats came apart from the frame. If you choose this car, please choose a bright color to help other drivers to see your little car. If you choose this car, you are trading safety for cost; is that a good trade for you? It was not a good trade for me, even as a rental car. Seats were not available in the rating criteria. The safety section of the rating criteria does not provide for broken seats.

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  Excellent SUV - 2016 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Ale Villa Dltorre - May 7 - 10:48 pm

  Best SUV Ive ever owned, totally redesigned to the perfection!! I

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  Poor Gas Mileage - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Don stroud - May 7 - 10:23 am

  Gas mileage is poor from 19.6 miles to the gallon in city driving.To 23 miles to the gallon driving on the open road.

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  Johns review - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By tankerman83 - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Its a good truck im happy with what I got for the price but it needs a little more leg room and power but other that that its a all around good truck I suggest you buy it but get an extracab.

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  monte lover - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By magg144 - May 7 - 2:00 am

  this is my 3rd monte, i traded in a 99 with no problems and the 02 has been trouble free also! fun to drive and sporty, i love these cars!

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  One of the Best - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By IceHouse - May 7 - 2:00 am

  This is a very low-maintenance vehicle with a nice ride - great traction- control system and many nice features. I have had almost no problems with the vehicle and only wish they were still making them.

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  GREAT CAR-GREATER PRICE! - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Will2 - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car used with 30K miles on it. Since, weve put 65K miles with very few repairs. The relaibility is incredile, and the ride is not bad, although the seats vould be more comfortable. The ride, especially on the highway is smooth and very quiet. Plenty of confort creatures, even with the base model. This car was a steal-Id buy another one, if I could find one with low miles.

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  97 Tahoe - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By REDUFO - May 7 - 2:00 am

  This truck has been a joy to drive, but when it does need repair it is always expensive. The electrical system is starting to be a problem.

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  1997 Tahoe, Excellent Choice - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Steve Price - May 7 - 2:00 am

  After 200,000 miles (253,000 total miles), Im still very pleased with this vehicle. Reasonable operating cost, very reliable. I had to overhaul the transmission at 224,000 miles. Its had 2 alternators, 2 fuel pumps, and the A/C evaporator had to be replaced. Assuming NO residual value, this vehicle has cost me less than 26 cents per mile, including EVERYTHING (interest, insurance, licensing, gas, & maintenance). At current estimated value, operating cost is about 22 cents per mile. I average 18.5 MPG.