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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  what a piece of junk - 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
  By gimmeatoyota - April 18 - 2:00 am

  total mistake. dealer un helpful as well as general motors. currently on the 5th set (you heard me) of brake rotors. brake booster failed conviently out of warranty. water pump failed also just out of warranty. 3 shock absorbers literally fell off on the way home from the dealer. replaced alternator at 40k. fuel milage is horrific and it even failed emmissions!! the ride is ok but it rattles going over rough roads so much that you think the doors are falling off. cheap plastic trim and dash too

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  SOME PROBLEMS - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By AVERAGE - April 18 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR. I HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH IT SO FAR. FOR EXAMPLE THE ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY. WHEN I CHECK IT IT IS ALWAYS FULL. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION YET. ALTERNATOR WENT OUT ABOUT A MONTH AFTER HAVING THE CAR. WENT THREW TWO NEW BATTERIES BECAUSE OF THAT. NO PROBLEMS OTHER THAN THAT YET.

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  Good cheap car - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By JenniE - April 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive used this car for my commute for the past 3 years. So far its been very reliable. Sure, theres normal wear and tear on brakes and such, but for the price I paid for it, its been great. The cars at 80K now, and I have not had any problems with it yet. Im not planning on getting rid of it until at least 110K.

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  Second time was the charm - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ms5468 - April 18 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my vehicle 4/12/02 brand new had only 13 miles on it. Drive it off the lot and 20 minutes later had a problem with the engine and brakes. The car had to be towed to the dealer the next day, and after heavy negotiations I received another Malibu. Happy to report it runs perfectly. Was a little worried since I traded in a Honda Civic for it. Hope to keep on trucking for at least 7 years.

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  The best ever made - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By david hasslehoff - April 18 - 2:00 am

  I Like it! I love it! I cant get enough of this vehicle. It is the best!

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  Awesome SUV - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Paul Duncan - April 18 - 2:00 am

  We purchased our Burban after much searching. First drive was first love. This rig drives like a dream! I owned a 1996 Impala SS prior to this, and it would give it a run for its money. It has excellent acceleration, corners flat, brakes that you cant believe, and a ride that is cushioned, but not soft. The paint...Wow! Looks miles deep when clean...When I drive (actually pry the keys out of the wifes hands) I cannot help but think "Chevy finally did this right". If you have a chance, drive one, youll be taking it home. Oh, I almost forgot..On the way home from the dealership (400 mile trip), we got 20 miles per gallon.

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  FINALLY - A true AMERICAN sportscar! - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Donna - April 18 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Corvette. My first was a 98 automatic coupe which I loved. The 02 is a 6 speed convertible which is just awesome! I love the top down driving so much more than the wind buffetting coupe.

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  Loving It - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By SDauper - April 18 - 1:20 am

  This is definitely the car for me. I am getting 33.9 mpg on the highway and 27.8 in the city. The new electronic power steering is great, no dead space when wheel is at center. I live in Southern Wisconsin and this car tracks great in the snow and ice. Select shift transmission makes slippery take offs a snap. Traction control works very well. Factory installed keyless remote start sure makes window scraping a breeze. Not to mention heated seats in cloth. Dont have to have leather if you dont want it. The shift into passing gear is extremely smooth, dont get a big head jerk as the car gears down. Plenty of passing power on the interstates. I highly recommend this car to anyone.

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  2006 Equinox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By J - April 17 - 1:03 pm

  Love the car. Totally roomy, lots of storage, my dog LOVES the backseat! I am also impressed with the gas mileage...Im getting around 21 MPG with highway/city/TRAFFIC mix.

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  Great car at a low cost! - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Corsicakid - April 17 - 2:00 am

  My 4 cyl. Chevy Corsica, which happens to be my first car has been a great one for the money. I bought it with 100,000 miles and now have close to 150,000 miles. Given the age and the mileage, reliability has been above average. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone, if fuel economy is a major concern for you, then go with the 2.2 4 cyl model, otherwise get the 3.1 V6, it has much better get-up-and-go than the 4 cyl. "Two thumbs up!"