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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  Over the top - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By blaster_md - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this Tahoe used with 68K miles. Im up to 78K, and havent had truck for a year yet. Ive only had to replace the water pump, due to a leaky shaft seal. The truck has been great! Im 67", and dont fit many of the other trucks, as I guess theyre designed for women...... Anyway, I dont have any problems with this truck, the mileage is great as long as you keep in mind this aint no Honda Civic. Ive ridden in Civics, Im much happier in the Tahoe.

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  Tracker, the little SUV that couldnt - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By TrackerBurner - July 15 - 2:00 am

  This is the absolute worst ownership experience Ive had with a vehicle. Its under-powered. Completely worthless when it comes to value. I had it appraised and the thing lost so much of its value, that I cant even trade it in. I owe 8 thousand dollars more than then car is worth. Thumbs down to the Suzuki.... ummm Chevrolet Tracker.

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  Totaled the car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By me the man - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I totaled My car at about 65mph and walked away with very minor injuries. Thats how well this car is built. GREAT CAR it saved my life!

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  Looks great, lots of problems big and small - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By arnoldthepig - July 14 - 6:33 am

  I purchased a 2014 1lt Crew Cab with 5.3L and 3.08 gears now with 2800 miles. I would not recommend this truck to anyone unless you have time to deal with issues GM does not want to address properly. The transmission is lazy on the upshift and wants to put itself in the highest gear possible, the fm radio reception is very poor and jumps in and out of HD, I have a freezing cold draft coming from under my center console, the 4wd switch makes a loud electrical whining sound when in 4wd, I get some type of driveline shudder under hard acceleration and once I hit 70+ mph, the ride and handling fall apart and give way to some type of unknown vibration! 1/6/14 will be the second trip to dealer

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  Mileage and Brakes for the 1999 K1500 Su - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Spoto - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Highway mileage seldom over 13-14mpg at 65 to 70mph. Brakes are very poor when at a panic stop. There is split second hesitation before brakes grab. First brake pad replacement at 17000 miles,second at 34000 miles. Third row seat too heavy and too difficult to remove and replace.

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  Tip top car - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By PhilMACnCheese - July 14 - 2:00 am

  My car has 140k miles on it, and the only thing Ive had to fix is the transmission. The guy that owned it before me drove it to the grave, and stripped out the transmission. It got an over-haul, and tweaked out 12% more horsepower. My Z28 has the 5.7L vette engine, and has over 310 horses and 350 lbs/ft torque, which is phenominally powerful. I wouldnt trade it for anything on the road.

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  Love my Z - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By INANE - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Z24 for a little over 4 years now, bought it when it was one year old. I had traded in my 89 Berreta GTU for it (a car that doubled it value from all the work I had to do to it). I like the designs of GM products but I know that most of what they made from the 80s and early 90s were junk from a reliablity standpoint so I cautiously purchased the Z24 with an extended warrenty. I guess its good to say I only had to use it once, had to replace the water pump, otherwise this car has been near perfect to me (has 71k miles now).

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  Love my Lumina! - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By crowmountain - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I have been "nearly totally and completely" happy with my 1999 Chevrolet Lumina. The only change I would sugget is that the seats are not sufficiently comfortable for long-haul driving.

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  Hard to park but great car!! - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Dale L - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Loved the power of the V-8! Not much on traction in wet or snow. This is a fair weather friend only. Always started except when I wanted to steam clean the motor once. Dont do it!! Great gas mileage on trips {26hwy}. Loves to eat Mustangs alive!! Seats need alittle more cushion and support. Sound system rocked {Bose}! Getting use to not seeing the long front end and parking was always fun. Thank gosh for plastic front ends!! Some interior parts like to break after time. Watch for the window felts that wear out in short time and scratch the side glass.

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  Love My Venture - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By SuperChief - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought it new, first minivan wife loves the Medium Redfire color. Engine is good for the long haul, many trips at constant 70+ mph, never a whimper transmission a smooth shifter, really good power when you need it. Handles well at all speeds. Has had two recalls on the power door so far, one to fix the door, one to fix the fix. The temp guage says it is overheating and the fans dont seem to come on to combat it, the dealers I have taken it to cant find the cause. Engine takes forever to warm up making the interior cold longer than usual in the winter.