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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  2001 Z24 - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Eric Strecker - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Decent performance with 150 hrspwr 4 cyl. I actuall think it looks pretty sharp. Have several noises and poping sounds coming from the dash. Also have a rattle in transmission that is apparantly normal for chevrolet cars. Had the transmission replaced for a known issue for cavs. built before Oct. 2000. This was a different noise than the one thats not fixable. Build the car BETTER. the sticker on my Z24 was around $18,000. For this much money I expect a car thats built a little better than this. REDESIGN the manual transmission. It SHOULD NOT be normal for a trans. to rattle when excelerating at 1500 rpm.

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  our 97 Sub - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By coxmcse - July 11 - 2:00 am

  We bought the Suburban for several reasons. First, it can easily haul my wife and I and our three children and still give us a third row seat as well as cargo room. Second, it is a very safe vehicle. Third, it can haul our family, our camping gear and our pop-up camper with ease. This is the main reason we didnt go with a minivan. Fourth, the powertrain is reliable. The entire truck has been reliable ever since we bought it. We did buy used because, like many vehicles, this truck loses value too quick to warrant paying for a new one. This truck was four years old and in great shape and we picked it up for about 45% of the cost for a new one.

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  2002 Express LT Lots of room - 2002 Chevrolet Express
  By corvete001 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this van for 5 months now and had a few problems but nothing that I dont expect with a new van. This van is wonderful for short and long trips. The kids love the entertainment system to play games on and watch movies. Lots of room for 7 adults. Love the Bose sound system. This replaced my 99 Tahoe and I am very happy with my choice for the money. I have a very good serviceing Dealer who goes the extra mile for you and that helps with being happy with your purchase. Only down side is I would have waited if I had been informed there was a new modle coming out in 2003. Very nice ride and lots of power with the 350.

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  Just flat out fun! - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Dr Doolittle - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Im on my third corvette, love them.

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  Solid basic transportation - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Bob Oh - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Bought new, it has served me well. 5 speed manual coupe. Replaced 2 alternators, 1 water pump, 1 set of brakes, i wiper motor, 1 battery. Normal stuff (except alternator..Grrr) Good looking, easy to maintain. 77000 miles. Enjoyed all of them. Excellent value for the bux.

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  Rock Solid Car - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Jnorris - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Could be a little larger inside, but Im 63 and I still do fit OK. Very smooth, no rattles, no noise, very solid feel. Everything feels mechanically perfect. Everything does what its supposed to in the manner its supposed to do it. Its a shame Cheverolet will not continue to sell these.

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  Burns Oil - 2000 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mike_chevy - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle to drive. Burning 2-3 quarts of oil per 3000 miles concerns me, but Chevy says it is acceptable.

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  Much improved over the last generation - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tb - July 10 - 2:00 am

  This is a definite improvement over the older generation Tahoe in areas of power, roominess and technology. It drives solidly (even off-road) and doesnt seem as mammoth as the Expedition. However, the transmission seems to be slipping occasionally and I still have yet to reach the EPA gas mileage estimates, averaging 12-14 MPG in 60% city/40% highway driving (EPA estimates indicate 14 City/17 Highway). Still, it’s not as thirsty as the Expedition and what you’d expect from a mid-sized V8 moving 5000+ lbs. around. The weatherstripping and interior trim has dislodged itself in a few select spots. Besides a few weaknesses, I’m happy with my Tahoe.

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  Much improved over the last generation - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By TB - July 10 - 2:00 am

  This is a definite improvement over the older generation Tahoe in areas of power, roominess and technology. It drives solidly (even off-road) and doesnt seem as mammoth as the Expedition. However, the transmission seems to be slipping occasionally and I still have yet to reach the EPA gas mileage estimates, averaging 12-14 MPG in 60% city/40% highway driving (EPA estimates indicate 14 City/17 Highway). Still, it’s not as thirsty as the Expedition and what you’d expect from a mid-sized V8 moving 5000+ lbs. around. The weatherstripping and interior trim has dislodged itself in a few select spots. Besides a few weaknesses, I’m happy with my Tahoe.

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  Great for BIG people - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By dtairtime - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Edmunds reviewers must be little people. They feel the Subaru, Ford and VW are better cars in this price range. They might be, but Im 63" and those cars are too small. I am happy with my purchase (I bought it in Jan. of 2000) and have not had any problems that the dealer didnt go out of their way to correct - all little things. The trunk is HUGE, the car can accommidate 5 full-size people and my only complaint is the use of way too much hard cheap plastic in the interior.