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:

• 

  Leased vehicles are junk - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By schroeder - November 25 - 2:00 am

  Purchased Tahoe used from Russ Darrow (dont buy from there) had to replace the transmission within a year of purchase. We tried to find out if it was under warranty and got the run around from Chevrolet. Within two weeks it had electrial problems. 8 months of purchase the transmission started slipping and the rear end made a clunking noise. The window adjuster and lock mechanism fell into the door and we can not use those buttons on the passenger side. I do not like the anti- lock brakes that were designed for this vehicle. When I come to an abrupt stop the whole vehicle shakes and feels out of control.

• 

  What a bargain! - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ziggerman - November 25 - 2:00 am

  We bought a loaded LS for $22k and have put over 16,000 miles on it without any problems. Loads of power from the 3.8l, lots of interior room, great A/C, very good driver info center, great stereo for its class. The looks will really grow on you, especially when compared to the bland Camry, Accord and Maxima. This car actually has personality. With GMs incentives, you can get a terrific family sedan that is fun to drive for $22k! Forget Edmundss opinion on this car, they are incredibly biased against it. Check it out for yourself.

• 

  Nice Ride - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Andy - November 24 - 2:56 pm

  This is without doubt the most practical vehicle Ive ever purchased. The new exterior and interior are a huge leap forward for GM from the old model.

• 

  monte carlo ss - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By pc - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. I bought it used a year ago and have loved every minute of it. I love the luxury ride yet the sporty look. You have the best of both worlds with this car. This is the fourth Monte Carlo that my family has owned over the past 30 years and i would buy another one.

• 

  would not buy again - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By distraught husband - November 24 - 10:00 am

  Have had numerous problems with this SUV. An annoying hum, a squeak in the front suspension (that took several trips to the dealer to repair), the wipers quit working, the A/C quit working (twice). Seems like this vehicle has been in the shop more than in my garage. Build quality is poor for a $36,000 vehicle.

• 

  impala ls review - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By m singleton - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I dont understand the auto industry ?? why they downgrade the vehicle, I test drove a honda accord, toyota camry, and a Ford Taurus before purchasing our Chevy Impala LS. The Impala was a quieter car than all the above, has lots of power and is nicely equipped. Its interior is large spacious and not gaudy like some vehicles Handling is not vague and sloppy as so auto experts describe in the fact its the camry and taurus that handle this way. I think again the auto industry is doing something wrong when evaluating this vehicle ( are they really driving them or just reading a data sheet and forming an option)

• 

  Tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Utstud1 - November 24 - 10:00 am

  The Chevy tahoe is a fairly good car. It has a wonderful drive and a great u- turn. The interior could be more luxuries, but the outside is pretty nice.

• 

  consumer review - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Darryl Shumway - November 24 - 10:00 am

  The stereo is the only thing that has given me problems but when I take it to the dealership takes care of it and all is good again. For the price you get more options for less with the Chevrolet. Fun to drive.

• 

  chev silverado - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By rrcleve - November 24 - 10:00 am

  very reliable, no problems to date. getting better mileage than rating, 22 on the hiway. very comfortable.

• 

  Absolutely FUN to drive! - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By MsDebtUSA - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely LOVE my Chevy Prizm. It is so much fun to drive and manuer in and out of traffic. Its also very reliable. Ive had my car for two years and it has given me NO problems at all. And though it is not the most stylish car on the road, it is more economical than its identical sister, the Toyota Corrolla. In fact, I almost laugh whenever I see someone in a Corrolla because I bet they paid about $2,000 more for their car than I did for mine, yet the cars are IDENTICAL. I would defintely buy this car again.