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:

• 

  This car is badass!!! - 1994 Chevrolet Lumina
  By CDH1 - June 29 - 2:00 am

  First of all, let me say this car is badass!!!! The 3.4L optional car with 210 horsepower rides like a dream. Add to that the CD player, power drivers seat, and remote trunk opener and you got one great car!!

• 

  My Lemon - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Cari - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Typical GM paint job...meaing it doesnt have much left. Both window motors replaced. Headlight knob replaced...twice. Alternator replaced five times. Six different batteries. EGR Valve replaced. Major oil leak-still cant fix it. Fuel cell replaced. Rear end leaked. speedometer replaced. All dash wiring replaced. Computer chip gone bad. Fuel pressure regulator gone bad. U-bolt in rear end bad. Spoiler on front end has had to be replaced four times as the car sits so low and it breaks if you go over ANY kind of bumb. And it only has 72,000 miles on it.

• 

  Possible Viper Killer - 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
  By norules119 - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I love this corvette. I have had a 1980 and a 1973 and those were nice but no comparison to this car. I put a set of chrome Z06 wheels on it and it makes the car look 100% better. i have done a few alterations to push about 330hp. I am thinking about putting a lingenfelter supercharger on it. If i do that i could be pushing out 450+ hp. Now that would be a VIPER KILER!

• 

  Awesome - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By whcc10s - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I test drove everything out there for the past 6 months and the Z71 won hands down, Power, versatility, looks, and comfort. This truck has it all. I cant wait for my next road trip. It is a pleasure to drive.

• 

  My review - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By BrandiBear - June 28 - 12:23 pm

  I really love this car. It handles so much better than my last car. I got an awesome price thanks to this site and it looks great inside and out. I think this is the best thing that Ive ever purchased, and it is so good on gas! I love all the features and the V6 engine. Overall i think this is the best bang for your buck!

• 

  Limited rear vision lines - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By billybobjoezig - June 28 - 10:00 am

  Visibility needs to be learned in this vehicle, directly behind is limited due to height of tailgate and bedcover. Some kind of rear mirror would be great. Vehicle is comfortable to travel in and drive. Even works as a pickup. The change is easy for transporting unexpected purchases .

• 

  Awesome - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mpsrent - June 28 - 10:00 am

  What a great way to get multi use out of one vehicle.

• 

  Great Car! What a Deal! - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tgif - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. I dont understand why Chevy doesnt sell more. It is a perfect size, looks good, easy to drive, very comfortable, and very reliable.

• 

  Take a Closer Look at Impala! - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Happy In Mass - June 28 - 10:00 am

  My first thought of the Impala in 2000 was Dull. I test drove one a year ago, and changed my mind. My second look at the styling. Differant! Then came the fuel economy. Wow 30mpg. highway, and 20mpg around town! Then I took a ride. Powerful 200hp V-6. Tight handling, and quiet cabin! And all the creatures of a much more expensive car. I had a chance to ride in the back seat this week, a 30 minute ride.I was very impressed. I have had Town Cars, Crown Vics, and Grand Marquiss. Just as nice a ride, and just as much room, and the rear theater seating was nice. I am 61" plenty of leg room. Over 18 Cubic feet of trunk space, (I cant reach the back seat)

• 

  Love our Extended Trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By extended-trailblazer - June 28 - 10:00 am

  We wanted to step down from our full size conversion van, but didnt want a mini-van family mobile. the extended trailblazer fits the perfectly for us. We have tons of cargo space even with the second row seats in use. Performance is excellent and Chevy hardly missed a bell or whistle in the LTZ.