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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  Love my Silverado! - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By LizC864 - March 31 - 9:03 am

  Best vehicle I ever owned. We recently bought a new Honda Odyssey and I drove it for a month before giving hubby the van and taking my Silverado back. There was nothing wrong with the Honda, its a great vehicle, but I just love my truck.

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  good little truck - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By g.may - March 31 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE DROVE FORD RANGERS OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS AND THIS TRUCK IS BY FAR THE FASTEST AND BEST RIDING TRUCK I HAVE OWNED.THE 4WD IS GREAT FOR SNOW AND GOOD IN THE MUD.THE STORAGE BEHIND THE SEAT IS GOOD FOR TOOLS AND SMALL ITEMS(NOT FOR ADULTS).GETS AROUND 20MPG AROUND TOWN.

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  97 Astro AWD - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By rpoling - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Purchased new, performed all recommended maintenance. No major problems until it hit 100,000 miles last year. In the past year, the following problems developed: Head gasket, transmission lines, coil, water pump, tensioner, wiper motor, both power window motors, door locks, rear hatch lifters, vacuum leaks, oil leaks, and more.

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  Z-28 Power - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Forrest 2 - March 31 - 2:00 am

  I wont lie, I bought this car for the mighty LS-1 engine. I have driven quite irresponsibly in this car, and its taken all I have to throw at it and never skipped a beat. Ive raced and beaten M3s, Mustangs, V6 F-bodies, and any number of modified Japanese imports. And this car is AUTOMATIC. Frighteningly fast, and comfortable interior, spells a steal of a deal at the $12,800 that I got it for.

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  Fun to Drive - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Indy6 - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Bought car new when Value model first introduced. Best minivan for budget at the time, appreciate no cuts on the standard drive train. Performance and handling are above expectations. I like driving this car. Regular wheelbase model looks sportier than extended models and has smaller turning radius. At 20k to 30k had metal flakes collecting in transmission pressure control solenoid sump which periodically made shifting very rough (fixed under warranty). At 42k needed to replace intake manifold gasket (GM paid half). Currently 44.5k and I am satisfied with this car.

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  Chevy Tahoe Rocks - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Chevy Tahoe Rulez - March 31 - 2:00 am

  this truck is very nice excellent everything no complains with it

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  Me and Hi Ho Silverado ! - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Arnie - March 30 - 8:56 pm

  Overall has been very good, with a min of repairs/shop time. Starts great in cold weather.

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  Better than a Vette! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Tod Brindlinger - March 30 - 2:23 pm

  I have the 6 speed stick, V8 and use it to commute 32 miles each way to work. The clutch is soooo smooth it is very easy to drive in traffic. It has the best of both worlds: the power of the LS3 Vette engine, and a very smooth ride. Not nearly as stiff as one thinks the ride would be. Im 62" and found the head and legroom to be great. Driving my C5 is fun, but for $15K less the power and muscle of the Camaro is hard to beat.

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  lil bea - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By rhonda patterson - March 30 - 9:23 am

  if you want a car with excellent pick-up and a feeling that you are part of the car when driving,, this car is for you!!! it actually feels like the tires are sticking to the road when driving, really great handling.. have owned it for nearly 5 years and still love it.

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  The underestimated truck - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By GrahamMcFarland - March 30 - 8:20 am

  This truck is the best we have ever owned. On a good day I get close to 18 mpg and its all stock. The truck is built very well and have had only had little problems with it. We use it to plow and is great at it. The take off it very fast with the 6.0L aluminum light big block. The off road ability is very nice because it sits nice and high.