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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  GOOD BUT CRAMPED - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By orchunter - January 12 - 2:00 am

  A good small truck,the 4x4 is a very nice option not to be without. This truck has always been up to any challange that I came up with!.

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  camaro SS 2000 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By samson O - January 12 - 2:00 am

  This is my third 4th gen. F-body, and no doubt the best one i have driven. It is equiped with the optional revised bilstein suspension and high performance exhaust. Performance is exceptional for an automatic, offers unusually strong accelerations. Suspension is surprisingly good, very little body roll holds corners tightly and feels better on rough roads then my previous f-bodies. High marks for its velvety zo6 like exhaust note. Paint finish is excellent. Inside is somewhat cheap with the occasional rattle fixed by the dealership, annoying axle noise, metallic ticking noise from aluminum drive shaft during change of gears.

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  Total Blast for under $15000!!!!!!! - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Dmonte3 - January 12 - 2:00 am

  What a blast to drive! Pop out the T- tops, crank up the tunes, and find the road with the most curves! People often disrespect the V-6 Camaro, favoring the V-8. Those are the ones who have never driven one! Granted, its not a 305 horse monster like the Z-28, but the lighter V-6 placed nearly under the dashboard helps for much better weight disribution and go-cart like handling. The car has enough power to be fun, yet is quite controllable and predictable. It isnt a Z-28 but then again, it has nothing to prove....only to impress!

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  1996 Camaro Z28/LT1/6 Speed - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Aaron McIntosh - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Though i find the vehicle very fun to drive...the fuel economy is bad, it might have been a better car if the dealership had told me it was in 5 accidents before with over $30,000 dammage plus it was once stolen. And I paid $15,045 Canadian for it and it still goes like hell the only time I see a 5.0L is in the mirror. Although I am trying to bring this car back to the dealer (myself and my lawyer) I will deffinetly buy another.P.S. DONT EVER BUY A CAR FORM REG MIDGLEY MOTORS IN COLVILLE BRITISH COLUMBIA.

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  best economy car - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Adrian - January 12 - 2:00 am

  I have been extremely satisfied with the car, the editors review here is very unfair. Best exterior design by far among everything out there, powerful engine, ABS and other options are standard (compare with Civic or others in this class), and last but not least good price (compare again with competition such as Honda) Crash results are listed here as poor, but ive had a serious accident and it behaved very well - both airbags went off, the front of the car was smashed, but i was just fine, with no injuries.

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  best economy car - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By adrian - January 12 - 2:00 am

  I have been extremely satisfied with the car, the editors review here is very unfair. Best exterior design by far among everything out there, powerful engine, ABS and other options are standard (compare with Civic or others in this class), and last but not least good price (compare again with competition such as Honda) Crash results are listed here as poor, but ive had a serious accident and it behaved very well - both airbags went off, the front of the car was smashed, but i was just fine, with no injuries.

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  well done GM - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bArRiO - January 12 - 2:00 am

  it´s a great car!!

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  Needs a few minor changes!!! - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By ccpchevy - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Have had very trubs with this vehicle!! A great vehicle, great cargo space, good seating for the entire family.

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  Love my new car! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Heather Tangard - January 11 - 11:20 pm

  This car is really great for the price. After driving it you would never think we only paid $20,000 for it. It drives very smoothly. It has a lot of room. Also, its very quiet inside, you cant hear all the road noise outside.

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  Just asking - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By The Gent - January 11 - 10:00 am

  cant say enough about the car. when I first bought it I was trying to find something the matter,I couldnt,so I just decided to enjoy it instead!!!