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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  POLICE CAPRICE! - 1995 Chevrolet Caprice
  By AngeloVisciciulli - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Shes a great cruiser, unbelievably nimble in downtown streets and tight spaces, given its size fantastic handling crazy power and amazingly reliable motor. Heard of a few taxis with 500+ thousand miles on the clock. How can you beat that? Sleeps four, seats six without a freakin third row!!! This is the car Ill tell my grandkids about ad nauseum. This car is the poster child for the slogan, "They dont make em like they used to!"

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  Runs like its brand new - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Camaro Driver - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car used when it had ~148K miles on it. I just turned 180K miles and I have done very little to keep it running. I had to do the normal things like change tires, shocks, brakes, etc., but I havent had any expensive repairs to deal with, especially when you consider the mileage.

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  A sleeper sports car - 1991 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Bob Smith - July 19 - 2:00 am

  An underrated, economical sports car that is to this day neglected by the performance parts aftermarket. Undoubtably, the "best bang for the buck" car that I have ever driven. With v6 or Quad4 power, great mileage, and an outstanding handling package, you just cant lose.

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  its just great. - 1993 Chevrolet Astro
  By mw - July 19 - 2:00 am

  My family has had this car for 9 years and its been nothing less than great.We have taken many long trips with it and it has never failed even with 135,000 miles on it, its just excellent.

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  Reliable, Not Flashy - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By BMFARMER - July 19 - 2:00 am

  The styling might be tiered but the dependability is wide awake. The body panels fit perfectly while the 4.3L 6 cylinder provides plenty of pep for the automatic trans. The payload and towing limits are sufficient for routine household requirements while the fuel efficiency is much better than expected.

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  Seats are Junk - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By GM Junk - July 19 - 2:00 am

  The 60/40 non-automated bench seating is several inches higher on the driver side than the passenger. This is when they are both at their lowest points. Also the lumbar support is not designed properly and results in a massive lump that causes tremendous back pain. You have much more head room in other mid- size vehicles. I had to replace the ignition module and sensor at 56,000 miles

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  Cool, fun to drive - 1997 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Zev - July 19 - 2:00 am

  front chin spoiler is rough considering how low to the ground this baby rides.

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  0 Complaints, I LOVE IT - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Munchkin25 - July 19 - 2:00 am

  This is by-far the best SUV Ive driven.The ride, power, transmission is perfect. Fun-to-drive, comfortable, 4x4 is great. Stereo was lacking, so i parked it and spent the last 2 months installing a Mcintosh,boston,kicker system and now i cant quit driving it! This one is a keeper.

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  Smooth as Silk - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By CCTX - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I just purchace my Z71 Tahoe, and all I can say is WOW what a vehicle. This thing is quiet, stable, smooth, and powerful. This proves to me that America can build a great vehicle!

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  I agree with AlexP on autoride - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Kimiko Wakabayashi - July 19 - 2:00 am

  The autoride is really awful. The dealer said it would imporve stability but it makes the SUV handle like a drunken cow. It is terrible to drive in the highway and almost impossible to keep on the road. It feels like one of those old Caddilacs with Jello shocks with the tire air pressure at 6 pounds. We have a small boat and it feels like a 19 foot boat in 5 foot seas. It wiggles and wobbles and sways around where you need dramamine. Awful. Other than that and the gas mileage it is a great truck, or would be without the autoride.