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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  Biggest piece of crap on the road - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By quag - March 16 - 5:20 pm

  This car was junk nothing more to say

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  Cant figure out why it just keeps going - 1995 Chevrolet Corsica
  By love it, hate it - March 16 - 3:31 pm

  If you dont live near a dealership, dont bother owning this car. Everything is a dealer part and over priced. The engine is a nightmare to work on, for even spark plug changes.

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  Excellent vehicle - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By oarsman - March 16 - 1:06 pm

  We have a loaded LT1 with the 6cyl engine and love it. Wanted AWD (snow), good mpg, room for cargo and for a baby seat. Drove Hyundais, Subarus & the 4cyl Nox to compare. We live in CO and the 4cyl just didnt have the guts at 6k feet. Maybe at sea level but not here. Closest rival was the new Outback (very close call). After 5 mos, hwy mpg runs mid/hi 20s at 70 mph and avg 21 mpg overall. Very smooth ride at all speeds, nimble and surprisingly quiet (except when sunroof is open). Great traction in light snow/slush/rain - no blizzards yet! Excellent value for the money.

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  My second Vette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Joe in Arizona - March 16 - 12:53 pm

  I traded in my 2001 Vette on the 2005. Best car move I ever made. This beast is just flat out fun to drive. Its quick, quiet and handles like a dream.

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  High Milage - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By msauerbrey - March 16 - 8:34 am

  I purchased this Truck Oct 2009 with 3000 miles. It actually has a 5.3 V8 Flex fuel engine. I drive this truck all the time as a salesman. It now has 110,000 miles on it. I have done nothing except change the rear breaks. I added dual exhaust. It runs as good as it did when it was new. At 70-75mph I get 19 mpg. In town around 15mpg. The truck is very dependable. I have driven other Chevy trucks as sale vehicles and 300,000 miles is not hard to get out of these trucks. However the gas milage is killing me right now.

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  Camaro Forever!!! - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Noir Espoir - March 16 - 4:01 am

  This car does not deserve the untimely demise GM has sentenced it to. Performance wise (and look & quality wise) this car blasts the mustang (and everything else near this sports car price range) out of the water. Fuel economy is none too good, but im willing to forgive & forget. Good fun, beautiful, reliable car. An American Classic.(this goes for the Firebird as well)

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  A Great " American Classic" - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Big "D" - March 15 - 11:42 pm

  What a great car to own. Love to drive it more than my BMWs. I am impressed with its looks, handling and power. This car can compete and beat the Europeans. What a great "American Classic.", and I am proud to have one. Corvette is truly a "Winner."

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  3 camaros no complaints - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By yoyo - March 15 - 11:09 pm

  A 97 SS is my third Camaro. I used to be a mustang man, but know I am a bow tie guy till the day I die. I have logged 130,000miles on Camaros and have only had to replace an electric window switch. The reason I am on my third is horse power. I started with a V-6. then traded to an LT1 and finally to an LT1 SS. I like to work on cars, even computer controled fuel injected models. The Camaros have been a dissapointment as they have loads of power and have been totally reliable. I have never had the need to crack open a motor or mess with a chasis. Ill have to keep my current Camaro forever because I certainly cant afford a Vette.

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  First American Auto Experience - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By sgrobbo - March 15 - 6:56 pm

  With a new family, we felt it important to get a minivan. Got a great deal on a Venture. My wife and I have never owned an American vehicle, and frankly are not used to the # of times weve had to take it in for non-scheduled service. So far, weve had 3 recalled parts, a faulty fuel gauge, and several build-quality issues with accecories (window latches, lighter outlet, etc.) Though it drives nicely, Im growing weary of seeing the service dept (though they have been wonderful). If problems continue, a trade-in for a Siena or Honda is imminent....

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  2002 Tahoe LT w/Autoride - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Rhet - March 15 - 4:18 pm

  Overall this has been the best vehicle I have ever owned! Power, Comfort, and Reliability.. its all there! I test drove an LT with out the Autoride option, and one with... for the difference in price, the Autoride option is WELL WORTH the extra money! VERY SMOOTH RIDE!