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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  Still running strong... - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mrmcderm - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car almost 6 years, and have put 85k on it (mostly highway) and it still runs well. I had A LOT of problems with the coolant system when it was new (1 year old). Was in the shop 7+ times in 3 mos. Eventually filed and won a lemon law suit against GM. Since then, no problems. Seats are falling apart (moldings and adjustments) and has a lot of dings...i just hope it keeps running.

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  THE SUV to Own! - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By MCGOODY - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I traded my 96 LT 4WD Tahoe for a 2002 LT 4WD. What a difference! I loved my old one, but the new generation leaves the old one way behind. Better pep on the highway, greater comfort (the old one was very comfortable), attractive interior design, better amenities inside, quiet, solid body design and structure....get my point, yet? This is an awesome truck. Once you buy one, you wont go back. My wife will only drive foreign cars, but...she seeks to make an exception in this case. She constantly tries to switch with me. The 2002 Tahoe will turn your head, and change your mind.

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  THE ONLY BOWTIE YOULL EVER GET ME INTO - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Staten Island George - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Every where I go people look at my Tahoe. I went with the indigo blue, with tan interior, dark tinted glass all the way around, clear tail lights, and bumper guard It looks great!!

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  Best Car Ive Ever Had - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Lowell Patterson - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I traded a Bonneville with all the gadgets for this car. The Impala has plenty of speed, torque, and great handling ability. I enjoy the interior comforts of the car, the color combinations, and the simulated wood trim that adds a classy dash to the dash. I love the computer-related adjustments I can make to adjust various features on the radio, etc.

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  Best Truck on the Market - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By walt77 - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I have only had my truck for about four months, but I am positive I made the right choice. Being a former Ford owner, that isnt easy to say. The improvements over the fords are night and day. Ride is incredible, space is well beyond the f-150. Got the bucket seats--I would recomend this as well as the 5.3 if you are going to do any towing.

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  Harmonic Exhaust Vibrantion - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By doubleclutch2 - September 4 - 2:00 am

  5000 miles of frustration trying to determine why the vehicle vibrates at 1250 rpms. People tell you the truck looks good but beauty is only skin deep and this flaw should have been determined before shipping. All this fine tuning for fuel mileage just seems to cause problems else where.

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  What to sell my 1999 Suburban for. - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Booper - September 3 - 2:00 am

  A great vehicle with lots of space for people and golf bags. Weve taken 6 bags and suitcases and everyone was comfortable.

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  Powerful..but its a truck - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By daddyronhank - September 3 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle if you want to pull a boat or a travel trailer...as long as there are no side winds. Its a truck. It drives like a truck, it sucks gas like a truck, and it rides like a truck. I average about 15mpg. Ive had the vehicle a year and it needs front brakes...the previous owner replaced the brakes at least twice so a set lasts about 20K miles. The windshield wipers work when they feel like it..not always when I need them. Knob on heater fan control just twisted off. Rear heat control doesnt work.

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  Real Sporty Sedan - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By barry - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2001 Chevy Mailbu LS. I love this car but its time for a new design since this vehicles made its appearance in 1997 not many changes have been made when many cars in its class have had total make overs. But in all this car is a great car my friends love it and i love it is my pride an joy. i have had only minor problems only the brakes had to be turned. I love this car.

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  Consumer Rating - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By April McClain - September 2 - 7:03 am

  The Chevy Equinox is a comfortable, well-handling SUV. It handles bumps more smoothly than the Ford Escape, which I previously owned. There are a couple of downfalls however, the light interior seats show liquid stains very easily and there are many blind spots throughout the vehicle.