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:

• 

  time to retire it? - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By roger c - March 4 - 7:42 pm

  Pros: I like the way it looks, tougher than the typical mini-van. Torquey engine feels powerful, accelerates nicely. Seats 8, not 7 like many others. Dutch door is convenient. Cons: Those wheel. The seats dont fold down and out of the way and weigh a ton if you want to remove them. Storage bins, etc., seem like stuff glued into a cargo van- feel like my kids will snap them off at any minute. Back seat hard to get into. Dual sliding doors not available.

• 

  i like my ride - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By joe s - March 4 - 4:59 pm

  its a great truck but plastic panel interior parts make a lot of noise

• 

  Nice car, but disappointed in safety ratings - 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
  By John - March 4 - 2:51 am

  The new Equinox is a nice looking car, the interior and exterior changes (much needed) look great. The seats could be a little more comfortable and the visibility is just ok. The option packages basically require you to buy/lease an LT2 or higher to get any kind of safety equipment. The old Equinox was a 5-star safety-rated vehicle, this one is only 4-stars. The tests hadnt been done when I leased; if I had know GM was going backwards on safety I wouldnt have leased it. They made this version smaller and lighter, apparently at the cost of safety...bad move. The 1.5L engine is a dog; the 2.0L Turbo is great though with over 250HP, its more than this vehicle will ever need. Braking seems to be really good as well. Now for the bad news....at just under 4k miles the compression went out. Now GM fixed it right up for me and provided a nice loaner while it was being worked on, but come on, a brand new $34k car should not break down after 4k miles! Overall, the new Equinox is a very nice looking car, the 2.0L engine has great power and its pretty fun to drive. However, with the downgrade in safety and the need for repair after just 4k miles, I would not lease another one.

• 

  very good car, excellent gas mileage, - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By pedro - March 4 - 1:41 am

  very nice style, grat gas mileage, fun to drive, some electrical problems with alternators.

• 

  Fun, sporty & ALL THAT!!!!!! - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By o*sweet*1 - March 3 - 9:13 pm

  Well a few months ago I could safely say that I was a FORD gal. I loved my ford mustang. That is until I test drove what is now my Chevy Z28 camaro. I was truly impressed at first with the overall appearance. But the best was yet to come--THE HIGHWAY!!! I could not believe the power.

• 

  Someone please buy this vehicle - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ex bow tie boy - March 3 - 3:39 pm

  The tires need constant attention I am always having to put air in them. Acceleration is bad, handling is bad, and even though I purchased the vehicle for a $1000 under invoice, I am still upside down on trade in value. Basic transportation at best. I just bought my wife a Honda Accord and it is like going from the space shuttle to a horse and buggy. This may be my last Chevy.

• 

  99 Tahoe Great Choice for Full Size SUV - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ecflagg - March 3 - 1:26 pm

  Pros: Smooth ride(4X4 models). Plenty of power/cargo space. AutoTrac system provides exceptional stability on slick surfaces allows economy of 2WD. The tailgate provides maximum flexibility for recreation. Interior ergonomically excellent. Cons: Prod quality in Aug 99 after UAW strike very poor. Fit and finish problems obvious mechanical problems surfaced. Purchase an extended warranty. Overall: A joy to own. I recommend this vehicle ONLY if you plan to purchase a warranty.

• 

  Way to Go Chevrolet - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Nancy - March 3 - 6:30 am

  The vehicle is a lot of fun. Love the looks and the questions as to what vehicle it is. It does get confused with the PT Cruiser however, the room inside is spacious, the engine very peppy and the number of accessories is super. Really enjoy the performance of the vehicle. It handles the road very well. Extremely happy with the quality. Everything fits nice and there are no rattles or wind noises. It has an excellent fit to finish feel.

• 

  Chevrolet? - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Quatermain98526 - March 2 - 10:33 pm

  I was on my way home from work when I stopped by the dealer to check out some cars. The Monte Carlo SS with 50K on it for only 9 grand blew me away, I bought it inside an hour. I also test drove an 03 Mustang LX and a 99 Camaro Z28, this car almost compares to the Camaro, and its only a V6! with 100 HP less! The style of the car, and the SS trim is very very attractive. The car is spacious and comfortable inside, and the engine is very responsive, very touchy, I love it. Handling for a front wheel drive car is better than I predicted.

• 

  Chevy Works - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By eihcir - March 2 - 9:33 pm

  Action Chevrolet in Troy,NY tried to nickel and dime me,even after i wrote the figures out for them.I had to PRY money back from them for a expensive coupon that i didnt want nor get.Vehicle was delivered dirty.Tried to hold back my registration after i paid for it.Had to PRY the expensive 1,800 extended warranty from them.Owner had it washed.Complained about the poor service. The owner said, "thats all were gonna do for you and hung up".