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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  Sweet SUV - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Denver, CO - June 6 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Z71 for two weeks now. Absolutely love it. Smooth ride, good looks, and tons of power. The Z71 Package is the way to go if you do not need the third seat. GM, youre on the right track finally!

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  Garbage Motors - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Garbage Motors - June 6 - 1:10 am

  DItto, on the complaints, The american car manufactures, just lost me permanently, first i would not chrysler crap, ford screwed me badly in the 80s havent owned since. All I drove till now was GM, Guess what dummies, no more. Objects and vehicles disappear behind the review mirror, the windshield view area is too shallow (dash to roofline) break squeaks below 5 mph, sloshing fuel tank, drive line clunks, bumps thumps, and the hollow core feeling mush seats lousy.

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  2003 Chevy Suburban LT 2WD F - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Easyserve - June 5 - 9:18 pm

  This vehicle was purchased off lease in 2006 with 35,000 miles and aside from tires brakes engine oil & transmission oil changes this Suburban has had very little repairs needed - with 1 instrument cluster(dashboard display of speed, fule, temp, volt & tach) and 2 water pumps in the duration of ownership through present day with having now 191,000 miles - still on original drive train. Never really babied the thing as I have been running I-95 up and down the coast many of times as it is a pleasure to drive - even with a full load in back, 5 people seated comfortable and trailering with full load. The only modifications I have made to the truck was a K&N intake kit and Gibson Exhaust for added HP. My only wish list for this vehicle is a 4WD version. It will be a sad day if I have to part with the vehicle.

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  95 Lumina - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By dpiisvp - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Good overall sedan. Rides like a bigger, smoother car. Not fancy, but good performer. I like it.

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  WAS a good car - 1990 Chevrolet Lumina
  By CharlieK18 - June 5 - 2:00 am

  My grandparents bought this vehicle in February of 90 with 183 miles on it. As my first vehicle for the past 3 years, I hot rodded it quite a bit. But ofcourse it did not have power, so I built a coolair intake, added a throttle body spacer, changed to a sport exhaustm, and changed the cam to a sport racing cam. This total bumped me up to almost 200 HP. I was able to outrun people with the 3.1L engine. But over the past 3 years, the sport performance parts caught up to the transmission, and the other day, it was completely shattered. The car had approximately 128,000 miles on it. It was my favorite car, and will miss it no matter what else I have.

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  Nickel and Dimed - 1996 Chevrolet Astro
  By kshea - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Every year new irritating problems with this vehicle. I got sick of fixing them and now theyve really piled up. Broken power windows, broken wiper motor, growling transmission, broken A/C (for three years), high speed on heater fan, tailgate handle/latch,...it goes on. Too bad for all of the problems cause it has great potential. Its bigger than the minis and smaller than the full sized vans. can fit a full sized piece of plywood and close all ofthe doors. I wish it was more reliable,....I wouldve bought another. BUT NO!

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  Deluxe Chevy Astrovan - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By ls - June 5 - 2:00 am

  No problems in 4 years. Towed a 19 boat 2400 miles each yr with no problems. Only problem is the small leg area in front seat. That is why we are trading. It rides great. Back seat is comfortable. Grandkids like the tv and vcr.

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  gotta love chevy - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By sharptech - June 5 - 2:00 am

  The Z28 model of the camaro in 94 my year are by far the easiest to beef up and to race. Sure mustangs have a little syle but they are more show and no go. Camaro has the best of both worlds I think personally. The best part is being able to just mod the LT1 engines. My 94 Z28 runs 7.62 in the quarter mile without the 150 shot of N2O. Running just over 650 HP its one of the fastest pro street cars I have ever owned. The only car that has touched this thing was the really modified Z06. Other than that these cars just rock.

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  Ladys view - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Cecilia R Chapa - June 5 - 2:00 am

  I am happy with my chvy venture in regards to the drive, sound, relaxation. What I dont like is the materials they used for the seating. It seems like we have to take constantly have to take it in for some kind of fixture. Being that it is a van I would think it would be design for family use and the matierial would be strong. I guessed wrong.

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  Handles and rides well with good techs - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By csc881 - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Handles well and rides smoothly. Steering is precise.4 wheel disc brakes are excellent.Engine has good acceleration for passing and adequate for a minivan. Engine whirs when climbing grades. Ride is smooth and quiet except on very rough roads. Seats are comfortable. The three middle row captain are useful. Flexible seats are very adjustable. Integrated radio, CD and DVD system is well designed. The dual power doors work well. Good backup warning system .The auto leveling suspension works. Has air pump and hose for pumping things. Combined gas mileage is about 22.5. City between 13-19 and highway between 22-28.