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:

• 

  hard to service - 1993 Chevrolet Astro
  By bvinton - August 10 - 2:00 am

  to change spark plugs pull tires off for 2 ,then two through hood, 2 through inside engine hood. mechanics hate them because you cant get to any thing on the engine,150 dollars for labor to put manifold gasket in.doesnt have half the passing power of my 6 cylinder dodge caravan.would never purchase another one

• 

  fun but trouble - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By tom - August 10 - 2:00 am

  lots of fun to drive but engine problems galore

• 

  2005 Chevrolet C6 Corvette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Eric Melson - August 9 - 11:23 pm

  I purchased a 2005 Corvette on November 2, 2004. As of January 15, 2005 I have put 6,000 Miles on the car. I have had no mechanical problems, no rattles or squeaks! However the carpet in the rear hatch stowage area is going to be replaced from the dealer. The carpet does not quite fit, which causes difficulty in opening the rear hidden storage lids. I also have some very minor wind noise on the passenger side window near the removable top. My experience with the car has been outstanding with the exception of what I have written above. The car is a real attention getter. Everywhere I drive people are pointing and looking. At almost every gas stop people approach me.

• 

  Great Ride! - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By purplegina - August 9 - 12:56 pm

  I love everything about this car except the lack of storage inside this car. Its the only drawback. I wish I had noticed this before I bought. May have gone another way, but everything else is great..

• 

  Not your ordinary lumina... - 1991 Chevrolet Lumina
  By drumchum - August 9 - 2:00 am

  I paid $1,000 for this car this spring (still worth around 2,900.. good deal huh?). When I first got it, my friends did not know what kind of car it was. When i told them it was a lumina, they couldnt believe it. And with the 3.4 200 horse V-6 its not much short of a Camaro. Overall. a good car.

• 

  sturdy car & reliable - 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
  By surburban lover - August 9 - 2:00 am

  Not much better mpg than a semi-why? because it is a big car. It is very safe and you feel safe in it. Very comfortable, great for growing families. Mechanicaly it is good. Yes, it goes through brakes but it is a big car and heavy. They last for a long time and for many miles.

• 

  I love the Z24 - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By domesticdemon - August 9 - 2:00 am

  This car is great, even thought i bought it used, it still is a great car.

• 

  Dont Lock Me Out - 2000 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Dan J. - August 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive been extremely happy with my suburban. It is comfortable, spacious, and even economical. I recently got 18 MPG at 75 MPH on a 1300 mile trip! The only problem I have had is with the security system. The alarm goes off for no reason, and then the power locks dont work for a couple days. And then it miraculously heals itself. The dealer has had it in 4 times for this and apparently has it fixed this time. Otherwise no problems!

• 

  One of the best trucks around - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Sean T - August 9 - 2:00 am

  This is not a small SUV. If you have big jobs or just have to have some room, it fits the bill. You can slide a full sheet of plywood in the back without having to tilt or cut to fit.I Love this truck

• 

  I Love My Baby! - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Jenny - August 8 - 9:40 pm

  I love the sporty look, comfort, size, stability, and all the added features. I bought just about every feature offered and couldnt be more happy. The only down side so far is the low fuel mileage, its rated at 18mpg HW according to the sticker and Im only getting 13. I dont pass too many gas stations. There is rarely a day that goes by that I dont get a compliment on it. I love the safety features also, one of my favorites is the built in cell phone. Too many drivers on the road are preoccupied with their cells that they just dont pay enough attention. I would definitely recommend the Trailblazer to anyone interested in purchasing an SUV.