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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  92 cavalier - 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Trisor - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Ive put 175K on my 92 cavalier...before selling it to my sister last week. I got 37 MPG city/highway combined. I changed the oil every 4K, replaced the plugs only once at about 100K, and air filter every now and then. And never had any problems. Never had to replace clutch, brakes, anything. No timing belt to replace...has chain. I did have to replace the head gasket at about 75K. Was very reliable.

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  Nightmare on wheels - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By burkholz71 - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my vehicle out of need in 2000. Great deal for a car with 52000 miles, since then 3 alternators (600$) at dealership. oxygen senceors (650$), anti-lock brake light comes on when its wet outside giving false reading to alternator, dealership cant seem to locate problem? Paint is Dk green flaking around doors. Also experiencing problems with windows not wanting to roll up all the way. It always seems to amaze me that even the trained monkeys at the dealerships cant seem to find out what the problem is, but are sure they fixed it ......

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  good car - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By KdawG - October 17 - 2:00 am

  this is a good car, i bought it now to long ago and now my mom is getting a lumina now also.

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  7 years and counting... - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By iowadoc - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Bought it new and now have 133000 miles. Only one significant repair (just off warranty). I just did my first tune up! Runs like a tank, reasonably comfortable, handles very well, fun to drive. I plan on going 200,000 with it. On the highway I get about 33 mpg or better. The engine will still be running when the body falls off. Ive owned at least 10 cars and this is my favorite.

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  Lifetime Corvette Owner, C5 is BEST Yet - 1997 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jet pilot - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but positives about the car, Except that Chevrolet would not cover the glass top when the lamanet began to peal off. Dealership (Bob McDorman, Columbus Ohio) not honest or upfront when it came to financing. I will buy else where in the future. Anyone know of a dealer one can trust?

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  1999 Chevrolet Lumina LS - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Kinkey - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Smooth quite ride,Reliable family sedan with lots of trunk space and roomy for a midsize vehical.

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  3rd Camaro - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 3rdcamaro - October 17 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Camaro and it is the best of the three (70 and 77 were the others). Handling is superb (with Z-28 package), mileage is great (with 3.4L V-6), only hesitation is the 2-piece drive shaft that had an unservicable center support bearing. Replaced with custom-built solid 1-piece and performance is great. Highly recommend K&N filter for additional power. Sure to be a collectors item as Chevy in their stupidity no longer makes the Camaro.

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  excellent - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By ryanleeh - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Love this truck. I have had smaller trucks before, and was unsure if I would like this monster....well, I will never buy a small truck again. The fuel economy is week, but expected. the four wheel capability is ok. very comfortable on long trips.

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  First SUV - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By TOM - October 16 - 10:53 am

  While this is my first SUV I am not sorry that I purchased it. It is a fun vehicle to drive and now I can finally see what is happening ahead of me as opposed to driving in a car. So far the mileage is as indicated on the invoice sheet.

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  HARD SEATS...nice dash board - 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sheri - October 16 - 5:21 am

  TEST DRIVE TEST DRIVE FOR AT LEAST 45min.....Butt and back pain. Chevy should have invested money in the interior and quality and less in the dashboard.