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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  2000 Impala - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Shane - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I love this Impala and all other Impalas.

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  My review - 1996 Chevrolet Suburban
  By cherman - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I had no problems with the velicle. Every things works.

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  It is ok - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Ryan - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Not the best car in the world but it gets ou around.

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  The editors are nuts! - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Tom Steele - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had performance cars all my life. My previous car was a Mustang Cobra. The Corvette is simply amazing. Without spending $100,000 it is simply the best all around sports car available. The ride is exceptional, the fun-to-drive rating should be at least an 11 on a scale of 1-10. The only thing I agreed with on the editors review is the wind noise is excessive.

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  A Real Disappointment - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By BHK - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I have never had a car with more problems than the Suburban. In 3 years, we have replaced a transmission, power steering (twice), speed sensor, manifold gasket (the list goes on and on). It is amazing that in 40+ years of making this car, it still has so many shortcomings. And, by the way, dont believe the mileage estimates -- youll get 12mpg if you are lucky!

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  Best vehicle i ever owned. - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By KC - May 9 - 1:56 am

  I am so happy with my new Equinox. The fuel economy is great and it drives wonderful even in the snow. They were not kidding when they said 600 miles to the fill up.

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  The Right Truck? - YES! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Kevin K - May 8 - 10:00 am

  This is a great all around truck. Its good for hauling all the family, friends AND all their junk - in spacious comfort, unlike an SUV, where you get room for people OR cargo. Performance is incredible from 6.0L V8, real-world gas mileage varies between 12 mpg city - 15 mpg hiway. VERY roomy & comfortable. Very well built - NO quality or reliability issues during 1st year of ownership.

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  Fun to Drive - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Raj - May 8 - 10:00 am

  This is best vehicle in class.

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  Chevy Equinox a good buy - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jim Riley - May 8 - 3:56 am

  I am very pleased with my 2006 Equinox LT AWD. The AWD is very good in snow and wet weather. The Equinox gave confidence in December snow on remote two tracks in the back woods. My comparison is to my previously owned AWD cars: Audi A6, Explorer & Chrysler T&C. My only concern is the steering, with a large turning radius and light road feel. For the price range is is well equipped compared to other models. I rent cars while traveling on business and have experienced many car-based SUVs. Aceleration is good. I get 20 mpg on highway (75 mph) , 23 mpg if I drive 65. Ride is quiet, site lines are good. Radio is outstanding.

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  College Car still pumpin - 1993 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Scott Pearson - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Got this car in college and now, ten years later its still going strong. I am rough on cars I drive too fast and over objects all the time - this car can take it. Its a tank. And drives like a good tank - the V6 is very swift when you need it. Of course, some things happened. The hood latch broke and it needs new oil every 3000 miles. I went through a lot of tires (my fault) one alternator and some cooling problems but for the money (under ten grand) this car was beautiful. I hate to sell mine, but at 206,000 without major repair, its days must be numbered - or maybe not.