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 Astro - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By helloed - March 5 - 2:00 am

  My Astro is probably one of the best vehicles Ive ever owned. Besides a set of tires and a battery, Ive never had a problem. It holds lots of stuff, people, or both. And then I can add a trailer. I have a smaller car I can use for road trips, but why? The front seats in the Astro are some of the best captains chairs Ive ever sat in! The gas milage is great considering it weighs 2 tons. The best Ive gotten is 26(!) MPG. It isnt a sports car by any means, but for a big metal brick, it handles quit well.

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  I love it anyway! - 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
  By BradleyP - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I got her with 96K miles, and now have 108K. I had to put about $2000 into repairs and general upkeep. I now have a slight tick in the rear end, could cost $1500 in parts. I am going to run it at the track again this year, well see how far I get! It drives great and very fun, but be prepared to spend money.

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  this man will NEVER drive another Chevy - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By witherspoon75 - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle was the poorest bult automobile I have ever owned. Since puchase date(Oct. 1999) I have replaced TWO, yes two transmissions (first at 72k, second at 94k). Each one falling just out of warrenty coverage of course. I have also replaced TWO, yes two radiators (first at 62k, second at 115k). Not done yet, oh no, not by a long shot. The air conditioning worked for the first two months I owned the vehicle. Afok BEST ADVICE_DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE!

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  adios my tahoe - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tahoe bill - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I just traded my faithful 97 Tahoe in on a Honda Accord. No longer need the Tahoes room or towing ability, and gas is getting expensive. After 92k miles, it ran like brand new, used zero oil, and was as tight and rattle-free as the day I bought it. Id give it a 10 for reliability, except I had to replace the water pump, alternator, front rotors, & rebuild the master cylinder. Otherwise it was trouble-free and only needed tires, a battery, & gas (15 mpg avg). It was an excellent, comfy, roomy, nice-driving rig, and I know therell be times Ill miss it. Id buy it again if I had the need.

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  This was built for me. - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By kmbdrb - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This is absolutely the best vehicle I have ever owned. I convert it to a PU at least 3-4 times per week. Smooth, powerful, versatle, quiet, tight, luxurious, it just could not be any better.

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  HotDamn - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By GRRRR - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I picked up my Avalanche about two weeks ago and I love it. My wife and kids also love it and want to use it as the family vehicle now. My wife threatened to take the Avalanche for herself and leave me with our 02 Ford Escape. For comfort, power, versitality and ride Id have to say that this is the best vehicle Ive ever driven. Also, this thing is as loaded as a Cadillac! This is the first vehicle that Ive ever owned that impressed me enough to want to get another one when this one is ready for pasture.

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  #1 Value & Features - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By ko - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Bought this vehicle 3 weks ago from a Chevy dealer as a lease return that originally went on the road less than 12 months ago. At 34% depreciation from new with 2 years factory warranty left, how can they sell them new? The car has greatly exceeded my expectations. Virtually no body flex, very comfortable highway ride and great fuel economy. This car is actually turning out better than the Accord or Camry I previously test-drove and thought I wanted. Highly recommended.

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  #1 Value & Features - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By KO - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Bought this vehicle 3 weks ago from a Chevy dealer as a lease return that originally went on the road less than 12 months ago. At 34% depreciation from new with 2 years factory warranty left, how can they sell them new? The car has greatly exceeded my expectations. Virtually no body flex, very comfortable highway ride and great fuel economy. This car is actually turning out better than the Accord or Camry I previously test-drove and thought I wanted. Highly recommended.

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  TAHOE-AWSOME - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Vic & Norma - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle, Gas mileage is not to great, mainly because of the Flex fuel injection. Otherwiae has all the bells and whistles.

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  GREAT VAN - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By WILLIAM BUCKLEY - March 4 - 2:00 am

  IT HAS BEEN A VERY COMFORTABLE CAR TO DRIVE AND TAKE LONG TRIPS IN. IT IS EASY TO GET IN AND OUT OF. I HAVE BAD KNEES AND YOU DONT HAVE TO BEEN LIKE YOU DO IN A CAR.