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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  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.

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  My pal - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Rolling Cherry - July 18 - 2:17 pm

  My cavalier has been an amazing car! I purchased it in 2009 with 140,000 miles and now 7 years later it is still running with 219,000 miles. It has never left me stranded. Of course as with any car, I have had to do regular maintenance as well as some wear and tear repairs. I had one major repair of the head gasket in 2012, but seeing as the car has continued to run great for another 4 years, I would say it was definitely worth the investment. This car gives me freedom to drive through town, explore in the the country and travel on interstate trips.

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  Great Truck - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Wendy Smith - July 18 - 3:21 am

  I have owned this truck for a year now and am very satisfied with my purchase. The thing that impressed me the most was the smooth ride it has. As far as power it is sufficient but is no powerhouse. I have had no mechanical issues yet and have put 14,000 miles on it. I have owned two Toyota Tacomas before this and think that the Colorado compares very well to them.

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  Im so glad I have a car - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By dorothy bigelow - July 18 - 2:00 am

  The price was right for the year and everyone has told me what a good car the Corsica is. I needed a good car to get back and forth to work with as my car was in a reck (not my fault) So this may not be my last chev Corsica Ive only has it one day and I like it so far.

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  Beretta Babe - 1991 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Stackums24 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I love love love love love LOVE my car. My friend named her Daisy and she runs great, great gas mileage, nice V6 zippy engine. I put a new deck in it, I am starting to "trick" it out. Its a beautiful beautiful thing :).

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  98 camaro - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By kingtombroz - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Overall the car is fun to drive. Pick- up and acceleration are awesome for a 6. As long as your sitting in the front the car is comfortable. The only real problem is the blind spots are huge, but i guess thats the story with all sports cars. Im extremely happy wit it.

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  Buyer Beware!!! - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Scarface - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 1995 Chevy Blazer from a private seller and after over $3,000 in repairs later I am still having nothing but problems with the vehicle. So far I have had to replace the fuel injectors, the entire distributor system, numerous repairs on ball joints and universal joints, egr valve, and abs system, and I am told that the fuel pump is due (Another $800). Buyer Beware!!

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  1998 Chevrolet Malibu - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By maryelam - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I have had excellent service and no problems with this car.

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  Corvette has blistering speed - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Brian Hook - July 18 - 1:19 am

  Car is nice. Though its a base model, corvettes have a lot of whistles and bells. Its rather an oxymoron term, since you would assume its a stripped model, when its actually fully loaded. Power 6 way seats include power lumbar and power side bolster in seats. Lots of power. On average im getting 22 to 23 mpg. On road trip using cruise control I got 29mpg with mild launches, so its great. Ive wanted vette for 30 years and it finally became a reality. I enjoy every time the car turns on.