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:

• 

  awesome - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By pyroj - March 27 - 2:00 am

  this is a great car. lots of bang for your buck. wish it was a lttile faster though.

• 

  Almost Perfect - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Almost Perfect - March 27 - 1:13 am

  The best Silverado yet. However, the rear bumper absolutely stinks! I backed into a snow bank. $2,000 damage. Also, when it is below zero the switch to change from 4WD to 2WD doesnt work and vice versa. When cold out I cannot get enough heat while on the road.

• 

  Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By rusty - March 26 - 12:50 pm

  I just returned from a 2000 mile trip in 6 days. It is a great suv

• 

  Its a reliable car! But.... - 1990 Chevrolet Lumina
  By My Lumina - March 26 - 2:00 am

  My lumina is not in the best shape... when I bought it everything was great... however I never really took care of it. The 3.1L engine is very easy to fix. I got into a car accident, and totaled the other car, my Lumina started up, and drove away. I aslo had an experience with water, the water was all the way up to the bottom of the doors, and engine was partly submerged, it started JUST GREAT!!!! And ran awesome! However I have a transmission leak, and have heard that it is pretty common for my model Lumina.

• 

  Bang for the buck - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Goodsean - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought a showroom floor model back in 1997 and have not looked back since. It has been an extremely fun car to drive and has been very reliable. The gas mileage is not that great, but I expected that. It is too bad that the line was discontinued as it is a much better car than the mustang.

• 

  Sondra - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By zoeydsngwrtr - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I am a return customer for the Cavalier. I find that for their class, they are pretty good, (in my mind they come in second to the Civic, it is just too much money for my budget). The car drives very well, and you get what you pay for plus some.

• 

  Looks great but PIECE OF CRAP - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By horizon3 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  nothing but problems from the get go. Within the first 6 months i had the brakes, suspension, and upper console inside replaced. i had to replace...windshile wiper computer that was "fixed" 3 times....still is kinda wacky.... oil coller lines, passenger side seat adjustment lever snapped off twice...both wheel bearings had to be replaced...hmmmm $500 each side to fix, then theres the ball joints, differential leaks, front wheel bearings had to be done again... drivers side door sags had to be readjusted, heater works when it wants to. The 100,000 mile engine coolent gummed up at about 60,ooo miles

• 

  SECOND ONE - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By BUSTER - March 26 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS MY SECOND SUBURBAN. THE NEW I HAVE DRIVEN TWICE TO FLORIDA FROM IL. FOR THE WINTER AND IT IS A JOY TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. I USE IT FOR BOTH BUSINESS AND PLEASURE.

• 

  nice - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By bill white - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I am happy with this suv.Took a ride to canada the lumbarsupport and seating great after 8hrs driving. I have a boat, towing a 21 4000lbs boat no problem 3:7 gear ratio.with windows up i do hear wind sounds like its coming off side view mirror. fuel is great from Staten island to the border of ontrio 3/4 of tank, avg speed 70mph

• 

  Rate Your Vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Tennessee Trotter - March 26 - 2:00 am

  This 2003 Tahoe is our third Tahoe. We are very pleased with this vehicle and its performance.