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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  The barg - 1994 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Lanbarg94 - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Best vehicle Ive had in a long time. Plenty of power. Plenty of room. lots of versitility. plus the two tone Black/gold paint is sweet.

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  Big woman in small car & still happy - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By pessimisticrealist - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I am a 61" 300+ pound all woman who was in search of a car that would get better mpg than the piece of @#*) I was driving. I was having alot of problems due to my size. I couldnt get into most 4drs because the doors are just too darn short. I wanted an American automobile & had just about decided to buy a Kia Sephia (four door bunches of room) when someone at work bought a 2dr Cavalier & I borrowed it to run to the store.Except for the small hip area & lack of length on the seat belt,I fell in love.It took a little while to get used to the enormous dash area but otherwise,I loved it. It has room enough for my husband & I.

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  Great Minivan with lots for goodies - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Farheen - September 19 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this WB edition specially for our kids, and long drives and commutes. Lots of room, and 8 people can sit without any problem. Fuel consumption is good, and we are getting 18/26 as per books. Engine is fine, but need more power, as some time feel that this big box is not moving. There is no RPM gauge in Venture, but in other sibling (Montana) its there..over all great buy, saved over 7000 on msrp.

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  Best Value - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By MLCrisis - September 19 - 2:00 am

  The Camaro is the only car out there that fills the niche for me. I have no need for an SUV. The Japenese imports all look the same to me -- boring. You just cant beat the styling and performance of the Camaro. I wasnt really ready to buy a car yet, but with the last year of production and the rebate, I couldnt refuse. I got a great deal, but then again, thats what everyone thinks. I love the handling, the performance, the looks, and the great fuel economy. It is actually fun to drive to work now.

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  2002 Chevrolet conv. SS - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By xtrememusclecar - September 19 - 2:00 am

  345 horse power. this car moves!

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  A Few Problems - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By CZ006 - September 18 - 11:53 am

  After having my Cobalt for a month, I noticed that the paint was peeling on the roof. I returned to the dealer and they indicated that it was some chemical problem with the paint. They had the spots painted for me. Upon getting it back there was a new spot so I had to return it again. I wasnt really happy with the spot painting because if it can happen on the roof whats to stop it from happening on the rest of the car. Also have a problem with the cloth coming up around the door handle which they did agree to fix as well. All in all, Ive been to the dealership 8 times and I have only owned the car 2 1/2 months. Im sad that my first experience with a new car had to be like this.

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  Wonderful Car to have in the household. - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Cindy - September 18 - 8:03 am

  I test drive many cars before choosing the HHR. I had another brand on order to purchase. But after trying out the HHR I just love driving it. It make me feel as if I am driving a Benz. Thanks to the maker of the HHR.

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  New Electron Blue Metallic...SHARP! - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By BaldEagle02 - September 18 - 2:00 am

  Have never been behind the wheel of a more exciting vehicle...even my 62 Chevy II, when I was 16. The power upon take-off of the coupes 350, with a manual, is truly awesom.

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  Worlds cheapest sports car? - 2017 Chevrolet Spark
  By B. Borgerson - September 18 - 1:56 am

  World’s cheapest sports car? Car and Driver made this car an “Editors’ Choice” in its category. Consumer Reports is not quite so thrilled. Easy to see why. This little puppy is fun to drive, with agile handling and – at least when only the driver on board – plenty of zip to thoroughly enjoy a smooth and winding country road. Down sides? On a bumpy road you will get jostled, there’s precious little back seat and cargo room, and the interior on my base LS version is heavy on hard plastic. Plan on seat pads for long trips. But I can hardly quibble when I snagged an automatic for $10,500, replete with up-to-date electronics, ten airbags, tire pressure monitoring, Bluetooth and ONStar – but no cruise and no power on anything in the doors. Still, I haven’t paid that little for a brand new automatic since 1989. And well built? It’s so tightly fitted that, windows all up, you have to give the door a firm little slam to overcome the air compression.

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  Good looking truck - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Mike - September 17 - 11:18 am

  I have had this truck for over a year now I LOVE IT. I think the Chevy AV is by far the best looking truck on the road. The two things I would change would be some type of back up camera and make changes to front end. I have notice more than a little play in the stearing wheel.