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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  Plastic pack Horse - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Floyd C Bedbury - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive Good handeling-- Most car for the buck. So much better than the old Vetts

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  Corvette is the King of the Road - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By VAVetMan - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Best automotive purchase ever made. Great handling and engine performance is second to none. Before I bought my Corvette driving was a chore but now its a pleasure. Will always own a Corvette the rest of my life.

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  My Sunburst Orange Cobalt LT - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By maverickkat - April 2 - 1:06 pm

  When I went to the dealership to pick up my Cobalt I was unsure of what color I wanted, but when I saw the orange it was mine. I left the dealership with three miles on my car. I have had a few problems with my car. I have had to have the windsheild replaced as well as the shifter and had to have some body work done. The windshield has no weather stripping so moisture gets underneath. The keys to my car would get stuck in the ignition so the whole shifting unit had to be replaced. As for the body work the headlights on my car were not lined up properly so the bumper was rubbing on the headlights causeing the paint to scrape off my bumper.

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  lots of problems - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By basebooboo - April 2 - 2:00 am

  My 2000 Chevy Impala LS has had nothing but problems . Engine cradle , stearing shaft bearing, brake rotors, side impact airbag.It all started at around 25000 miles. I have taken this car back to the dealer 9 times and it is still not performing the way it should. When riding on a road that is not quite perfect the front end feels loose and makes a slight popping noise. I thank myself for not buying this car because at the end of this lease I can walk away from a car that otherwise I would be stuck in. I dont have anything good to say about this car....

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  Good, Reliable Car - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Joshua Krause - April 2 - 2:00 am

  We (my family) have owned this car since brand new. It has 35,000 miles on it and it runs perfect and has never had a problem. We had the front brake pads replaced at 32,000, but this is all we had done except for routine maintence. It is fun to drive and is one of the best built cars Ive driven.

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  2001 Tahoe - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Alberto - April 2 - 2:00 am

  Great Truck. Perfect for the large family.

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  Lives for more horse power - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Norge1956 - April 2 - 2:00 am

  If you drive in heavy traffic - go with the automatic. The 6 speed is alot of work..

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  The Corvette !!!!!!! - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By The VIKING - April 2 - 2:00 am

  The HUD is great - check it out

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  2002 Tahoe LS 4x4 w/ 5.3 - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By bug! - April 2 - 2:00 am

  Great power,smooth ride and lots of space! I have also been getting good gas mileage (18-20.5 mpg). However, I am dissapointed in the interior. The fabric on the cushions of my seats was not sewn well at all. Also, after riding in a Toyota Sequoia, I realize how small and relatively uncomfortable the Tahoe back seat is. Also, despite its weight and wide tires (265/70 R16), it gets blown around in the wind. When you have a substantial side-wind, you get a lot of leaks in the door and along the floor. One more thing, the bench seat option doesnt have a good range of adjustments for the seats. Short drivers might have a hard time. Im 61" and I keep the seat as high as it will go.

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  Great Car, Excellent Value! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By callenwv - April 1 - 10:00 am

  Ok, if youre looking for a lot of car for a little money, then the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo SVM is for you! Definitely the most car for the money. Sporty, economical and COMFORTABLE!!!