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:

• 

  Alternator & Battery Problems - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By waginc - May 3 - 2:00 am

  I wanted a truck so bad and finally was able to afford a used 96 Tahoe LT. I sold it last month after putting in 3 alternators and 4 Sears Gold Batteries in less than 1 1/2 years. I called Chevoret and they told me they would be happy to sell me a new one and did nothing for me in regards to the recurrent problem. It would last for 2 months than stall and quit.

• 

  Lumina - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Ronald Davis - May 3 - 2:00 am

  Minor problems, except that they recently discovered a gasket leak on the engine that is time consuming to repair, about $800 for the estimate. Other than that this vehicle has run great with few minor problems.

• 

  Fantastic Car - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By LTZ guy - May 3 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car new in 99 and havent had a single mechanical problem. The LTZ model has plenty of power due to the 200 HP 3.8L engine (same as Grand Prix GT). Handling is very good for a modestly priced sedan. Body roll is minimal in most corners. Interior is exceptionally quiet due to double sealed doors. Excellent car. GM made a mistake by stopping production.

• 

  Lumina - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Gennadiy - May 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 56000 miles on it. It is a good family-size sedan, quite reliable and comfortable. The only strange thing that the battery is hidden deep inside and to replace it you need special wrenches and about 1 hour of work. This is strange because there is a plenty of place under the hood and the battery could place in a top position for better handling like in most other cars

• 

  In 2011, Best Bang For Buck, 2011 Silverado LT 4x4 Crew Cab 5.3L - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ntgill07 - May 2 - 10:56 am

  I put a good 10,000 miles on it while in Alabama and it performed well. The real test was to come - I had it shipped to Alaska, upon moving, and have put 6,000 Alaska miles on it since being up here during one of the worst winters in history. I have to say, this truck performed flawlessly. Although, per the dealership here, it is suggested to not use AUTO 4x4 as it will eventually ruin the 4x4 - Just keep it in 4 High in inclement conditions. Ice, Snow, Mud, Slush, not a problem for the Silverado. Ya, the interior sucks compared to Ford, but I dont care to much. Love the huge center console/elbow rest. Gas mileage in AL and AK have been consistent at 15.4 on cruise, all HWY miles.

• 

  I love my truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By flaskerud - May 2 - 10:00 am

  The first several months I would come home at night and tell my wife "I love my truck". She owns a 2000 Yukon, but we feel so much more secure and sit higher, so we use the truck more. Ive towed a heavy construction trailer with a tractor and the rear bumper barely dropped. The rental shop was impressed. Also tow a 30 ft 9000 lb travel trailer with ease. My 66" and 400 lb son fits in the back seat only way

• 

  Z71 - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ricky Meinhold - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Very nice, powerful truck, but eats up gas!

• 

  Greatest Car in the World - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Chandler Young - May 2 - 10:00 am

  This car is wonderful, by far the greatest car in the world. Who cares about the Viper??

• 

  Corvette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By user3 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  It is a awesome car.

• 

  Fun For Me - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By talon - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Fast, agile, and very fun to drive. This is my 13th Corvette and this is by far the best riding and handling one I have ever had. Pricy at MSRP but well worth it compared to Porsche etc