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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  Wish I could Love It - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By rjackjack - July 16 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this new when I could keep this vehicle out of the shop I have loved it -BUT- I have replaced 3 alternators, 2 air conditioners, fuel injector spider, front idler arm, rear differential seals and had to have brakes done about every 9K miles. Now it has metal to metal rattle in front end. The interior is designed nice other than rear seat lock disengage for folding down. Other than that I love the handle, the size, the comfort. Just wish GM could get their stuff together.

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  2002 Impala LS - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By mdunton - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Im not a car nut or an expert-but I love this car! It handles nicely, is exceptionally quiet, the leather interior is beautiful and I absolutely love my sunroof. I havent had a single problem in 11,000 miles and I doubt that I will have any problems for 111,000 miles! Cant beat this car for the money!! Space, luxury, and affordability--and our dealer was super helpful and patient

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  Excellent So Far - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By smithpcs - July 16 - 2:00 am

  We have the 4.8L which is adequate. The size, space & comfort are excellent. Incredible options for the base 4Wd vehichle including AWD. 50/50 3rd row is superior to essentially all competition for ease of folding/removal & functionality (most are a 1-piece bench). Superior look, quality feel & ride vs. the competition.

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  A Womans SUV Dream - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Cynthia - July 15 - 11:40 pm

  I always wanted an SUV. One not too high to get into, or to big to park. And along came the Equinox. I had a Tracker, but that was just a starter of a SUV. I think I bought the first one in Syracuse, NY. If GMAC were to check their records Im sure they could verify that. It is rated as an SUV but it rides almost like a Cadillac, smooth as pie. If I had more time to purchase my vehicle, I would have gotten a sun roof and a black one. But due to the rush of purchase I had to get one off the lot. Nevertheless, I still love it.

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  Great Value - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Iver - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Great space and the split folding seats make it flexiable for family stuff. Hauling people and the folding table and chairs. Popular SUVs are less spacious (unless huge) and more expensive then (1997) & now.

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  Perfect 1st car - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Wrestler - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I got this car a year ago and it hasnt failed me since. Paint job is in excelent condition, ride is smooth and comfortable, excelleration and over all drive is great. The breaks are a little weak but everything else checks out great. This was my first car and I love it.

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  My Suburban - 1993 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Russell E Wikander J - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle for many uses. Great for 9 passengers. Great for my construction work as it will haul full sheets of plywood, and sheetrock as well as 8 lumber. The Suburban with its black windows protects my tools from people who used to steal my tools from my previously owned pickup.

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  Lumina Review - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Nick V - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle used with about 80,000 miles on it. I changed out the factory radio with a new CD player, new speakers and a subwoofer. After doing that my car was perfect. Really quiet inside, great handling, Engine noise is practicly non-existant. With the exception of this car not having a sunroof its perfect.

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  No, they havent figured out reliability - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ken_Linda - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Warped rotors replaced twice (under warranty),wheel sensor ($400) twice, air conditioner weak and shuts itself off -- replaced ac/controller ($300), rear brake light circuit board failure ($100), power window mechanism failure, paint scratches easily, front end rattles -- all in the 4 years weve owned the pos. These things are basic essentials and should not fail for a car that was highly touted as an import killer! My last GM car was a 1970 Camaro and I finally gave in to trying GM again -- we wont make that mistake again, ever.

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  Bang for the Buck - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By JCC - July 15 - 2:00 am

  A car you can drive everyday to work and still run a 13.8 with just an intake and exhaust with an A4 transmission. It looks mean and still turns heads, its 6years old now.