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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  Wish Id bought a Ford - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By rp - April 21 - 2:00 am

  * GENERATOR REPLACED @ 50,000 MILES *TRANSMISSION REPLACED @ 77,000 MILES ($2000) *TRUNK LEAKS SINCE NEW

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  Hard to get rid off - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By New Chevy Guy - April 21 - 2:00 am

  This bad boy has taken me to NY from VA and back about 10 times. It has battle the narrow curvy backroads of VA and has taken on the pot holes and wild taxi drivers in NY. No wonder I need shock work! And most importantly it has never left me on the side of the road. Every time I try to find a reason to sell it I cant. Sincerely, New Chevy Fan 1993 Chevy Cavalier VL 2D

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  Excellent Value - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By friendofricks - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Just over 3 yrs, 24k+ miles. Agree with all the positives from the other reviewers share only a few of the negatives: slight vibration in steering column, dealer repaired under warranty, needing only lubricant. Notice slight shake in wheel when braking lightly at higher speed (rotor issue noted by others?) hesitation once in a blue moon when lightly accelerating. Tranny went on a friends Impala at 32k, but replaced under warranty. Mine is flawless so far. This is a good, comfortable, attractive, fun car, and perhaps the best overall value for $. Domestic nay- sayers should give it a good honest look.

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  Excellent Car for First Model Year - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jerry Fox - April 21 - 2:00 am

  The 1994 Camaro Z28 was a rocket from the start. Certainly Ive taken very good care of it, but it hasnt had many problems, only very normal stuff. And it still looks NEW! For a "first model year car" it has been great and for the price, FANTASTIC! It did turn out to be the "poor mans Corvette"

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  best car ever - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By bigdan2k - April 21 - 2:00 am

  this is my second f-body i have no problems with it. the power, the sound, the wind in my hair is fantastic. i cant believe gm stopped building them. its a great car to cruise arround in, run at the track, and pick up chicks. ill never sell it.

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  Silverado - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bob - April 20 - 11:50 pm

  Very quick and nimble compared to 05 2500HD. Fast and rides smooth. Driver seating does not agree with my frame. It was fine on two test drives, but after 1 hour on the highway, very painful. I have tried all the adjustments and controls and have decided that the seating is too soft. For the most part, vast improvements over previuos models. I have owned all 4 Chevy truck styles from the past 20 years, and this one is very nice.

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  So far so good - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By bernie - April 20 - 11:33 pm

  After reading all the brake problems, i hope this will not happen to the ss. I just bought a red ss and cannot tell you how pleased I am with it. With the 260 hp eco tech turbo engine, it is a little rocket. The ss specific interior is comfortable and well designed. The 5-speed shifts firm and quick. The exterior ss specific ground effects, 18 inch wheels with speed rated tires filled with nitrogen, paint finish and door gap fit is the best Ive seen in a long time. Oh yes, the smaller steering wheel and quicker steering make this thing loads of fun to drive. It is quick. It also has larger 4-wheel disc brakes that stop great. so far happy as a clam with it.

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  I Love Mine! - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By WayneV - April 20 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the best trucks I have ever owned. My wife and I also own a Toyota Tacoma Pre-runner that wears me out on long trips. My Z71 Silverado is so comfortable, I believe that I could drive it across the country and not even be sore at the end of the trip. The power and the 4WD has never let me down when called upon.

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  Gets the stares! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Tyson45454 - April 20 - 10:00 am

  Turns heads everywhere I go. Way much better than the S-10. Not as nice as the Silverado, but up in its class. Like a ROCK!

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  Youll have to steal it from me... - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By pandama - April 20 - 2:00 am

  Purchased brand new because husband had GM supplier discount. Would have picked another vehicle, but am so happy that I was "forced" to buy the Venture. After 90,000+ miles in 5 years of driving, theres been nothing significant to complain of. My 90 Dodge Caravan caused me nothing but megabucks to replace the tranny 3 times! Ill drive it til it drops!