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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  Having Fun - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Cary Draper - August 17 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy this suv and i can afford to own it. I love the fact at 6 foot 5 inches tall i can ride in cofortably. I have had no problems with this vehicle just fun.

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  2017 LT hatchback - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Tom Bradder - August 16 - 11:45 pm

  Highlights: I drive pot hole infested roads up a mountain to work and the suspension soaks up the craters and cracks like a champ. Transmission is unexpectedly smooth as well. I also like the diesel-like throttle mapping, as it allows you to drive very smoothly and efficiently. But if you need to speed up in a hurry, you feel that turbo kick in with a lot less lag time than other diesels Ive driven. The cabin is very well muted for its class. The amount of technology you get for the price is also impressive. I have the convienence package as well. The steering has a nice balance of responsiveness and road feel. I would have expected something a lot more numb feeling and sloppy. The rear legroom, though I dont have passengers often, is FAR larger than expected. Tall people can sit in the backseat even with the front seats pushed back. Cons: None. This car feels like a great value and seems to punch above its weight in terms of its luxury-like smoothness and solid feel.

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  Transmission - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dougclark - August 16 - 10:10 am

  I have a V6 that always wants to slip our of gear or bind after driving hwy speeds then slowing to 15-20 MPH then accerating again, the trans will slip then after thr RPMs raise up it will slam into gear. GM and the Dealer says that is normal for this vehicle. If anyone can help I would appreciate it. dwclark@datamaxx.com

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  I love my car - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By flaviking - August 16 - 2:00 am

  This is the first Lumina I have ever had the chance to own or drive and I fell in love with it the minute Igot behind the wheel. The ride is very smooth and it handles very well.

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  More Fun Than an Economy Ride - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By EveryDayWorkCam - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I Drive a lot of business miles. Tired of putting extra miles on my newer (i.e. rapidly depreciating) vehicles. I wanted a reliable car that was fairly economical, yet still fun to drive. No disappointment... very reliable and nice looking for a now 8 year old car. Beats the heck out of driving an overated Consumer Reports vehicle! Perhaps I am wrong, but I feel there will always be a buyer for an old, well kept Camaro when the time comes to sell. I dont see a lot of folks lining up for the old C.R. favorite foreign cars here in the Midwest.

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  So far so "good enough" - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By ls1mn6 - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Corvette performance with a cavaliers quality. a/c went out at 37K miles, thanks GM, power windows roll up and down like molasses. motors replaced twice. ttops are starting to leak. radio speakers blew. handles like a dream, fast as hell. brakes stop on a dime. i love this car lol

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  Real Sportscar - 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 92LT1 - August 16 - 2:00 am

  When I got this car I could have bought a new C5 Corvette (97+), but I think this car is more of a traditional sportscar. It doesnt ride quite as nice as the C5, and it doesnt have some of the comfort features, but it does really make you feel like you are a part of the car. You dont just sit down in the car, you strap it on. Plus with a few minor modifications, my car is just as fast as the newer Vettes, and it cost a whole lot less. Finally, for some reason I just like the exterior styling of this car better than the newer ones. The C5s have a rather large rear end, where this car is perfectly proportioned.

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  Power!! - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By The Only, Jason - August 16 - 2:00 am

  So far I have loved this vehicle. Sometimes I wonder if I really need that much power but the truck is great. I have had Chevy Cars, an S-10, a GMC Blazer (2dr as well) and now my Tahoe. Everyone likes riding in my truck. Its great. Powerful, comfortable, smooth and easy to control.

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  Riding High and In Style - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Engine39 - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I know the mpg is low but that comes with a vehicle this big. I bought this because I have 3 kids and a wife. Everybody has enough room to spread out.

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  Falling pieces - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By daveboy - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Although we liked the space and the smooth ride (for an SUV), the lack of quality on the interior was very frustrating. Rattles and pieces falling off throughout the vehicle resulted in multiple trips to the GM dealer. Gas mileage was another issue.....but we knew that when we bought an SUV. After 9 months and 10000 miles we traded in for a car that wouldnt end up at the dealer more than at our house.....a Toyota Camry.