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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  chevy cruze - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By chris g - April 29 - 1:07 am

  I dont have much to say, to many recalls on this car. mpg average if you drive 55. Weak on power before turbo kicks in I gave chevy a chance and they failed me. They shouldnt have never gotten a bail out.

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  My Equinox Experience - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Christine - April 28 - 5:50 am

  This truck is perfect for our family. The best feature is the adjustable rear seat. Somebody rear-ended me and I am renting a Jeep Cherokee. I am finding that the back seat of my Equinox has more room than the Cherokee. The Equinox is reliable, good on gas, not too big or small, and fun to drive. I love it.

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  Exception to the Rule? - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By eddiebug - April 28 - 2:00 am

  My prizm is a one owner, used, 1998 Geo Prizm with 34K miles from a Toyota Dealer. The car had been previously leased so the presumption is that it was well maintained because of lease constraints. The car promptly lost seven quarts of oil in 2000 miles without burning any smoke. The dealer says the oil rings are collapsed. The dealer told me the problem had been traced back to one of two factories that produced engines for the Geo Prizm. The cross-hatching in the cynlinder walls allegedly was faulty and caused premature failure to the rings. When I called Toyota they said no technical service bulletins had been issued and my problem may not be covered. I will not buy a toyota again.

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  First Class Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Kirk Henry - April 27 - 8:46 pm

  First when you look at this truck it says top of the line. Then it says power. The handling of this truck is almost perfect. The seats fit like a glove. The ride is like no other truck Ive ever driven before. And when I pass by people look and stare. That SS emblem says it all - top of the line Chevy Silverado. Some people says SS but i say SSS.

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  Great Reliable Car - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By CharlieM - April 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new in 99. Mine has a 5 speed manual and I have had no maintenance problems. All I do is change the oil every 3K miles and put in gas. The milage is so good I hardly use much gas. It easily gets over 30 miles to the gallon. On a long highway trip, I get close to 40 mpg.

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  Best Car Ever Built - 1995 Chevrolet Impala
  By Remix - April 27 - 2:00 am

  If you are searching to buy a car, I suggest to buy the 1995 Chevy Impala. It has all the features of a luxury car and the perfomance of a sports car.

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  Blazer - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Chris Niemiec - April 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to drive. In all of the reviews, it gets a bad wrap, but an SUV is not build to be fast and handle well. These are the things that it is marked down on. This is a great truck.

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  Excellent truck - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Tim Ebert - April 27 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is outstanding. inside and out. It is awsome in a minnesota winter.

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  Chevrolet Tahoe LT 2001 - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By penumbra - April 27 - 2:00 am

  Excellent comfort. Lots of power. Gas mileage should be improved (16 MPG Highway).

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  Great Touring Car & Excellent Tow Car - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By BaldEagle - April 27 - 2:00 am

  We put on over 30,000 miles a year about 1/3 of that pulling our 31ft Airstream which weighs in at about 7,800 lbs ready to travel. I track gas mileage. Highest 19.23 and lowest 11.48. With an overall average over 28,000 miles of 15.79 (that is 1/3 towing over mostly interstates. The ride, power and braking are great. . Living in the Chicago area, we appreciate the heated seats. Their lombar support is great on those long trips which may be five days straight towing. All in all a much improved vehicle over my previous 5 Suburbans and I really liked them very much.