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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  The heartbeat of America for sure - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By samuel e. lyons - April 8 - 7:50 am

  This Monte Carlo SS is the best car of everything a man could want in a performance and luxery vehicle . For top end performance this car is great, as for getting on the freeways this Monte Carlo is great on the response and acceleration. Just everything about this car is the best. An affordable nascar look a like and classy car.

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  Great 2 Door Cobalt Coupe - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By CKTuba - April 7 - 6:30 am

  We had had it since last June, no problems at all. Been a great car getting at or close to the mileage all the time. Peppy and fun to drive. Quiet. Great Pioneer stereo w sub woofer and absolutely love the looks. Looks like the Honda Civic 2 dr coupe.

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  Spark 2 LT: the luxury "cheap" Chevy - 2016 Chevrolet Spark
  By T R Packard - April 6 - 7:40 pm

  The 2017 is the same as the 2016 that I own. I think this is a great car: fun to drive, great interior styling, reliability, bumper-to-bumper 100% 36,000 mile/36 month warranty that includes oil changes and tires, generous safety features, head of the class technology/connectivity, very good gas mileage, solid road feel, surprisingly quiet and stable on the freeway, a dream parking/driving down narrow streets of Los Angeles, nimble/sprightly handling, and more fun to drive than the Fiat 500. A super value that I like even more now than when I first bought it 12 months ago.

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  Best Vette yet? - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Alan Cushing - April 6 - 8:50 am

  Great styling. Like the pop up headlights better than the the fixed coming on the new model. A blast to drive and a real head turner! Never had to go back to dealership for any after delivery issues. Most sportscar for the money, bar none.

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  SS Impala - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By jaken - April 5 - 8:16 am

  For an SS i find it still underpowered. I feel when you use the symbol SS it should stand for super sport. Chevy short changed themselves on this. With some modifications to increase power it rides a little better, but why do I have to do this for more performance. There are a lot of 4 bangers out there that have as much performance for thirty grand. But still not a bad car

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  Did not see it coming - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Winstonhates chevy - April 4 - 2:00 am

  It look good untill the inside nobs starting to fall off, I made a call to Maroone ( should be called moranees). They did a overall, I think they made it worst, I have spend more money on my new vehicle, while my 12 year old camry is still going. I found a rust spot in the back today, it is a 3 year old car. I am just waiting to drop out of the bottom.

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  Nice - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By tz6qhl - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Although I have just purchased this SUV, I am very happy with everything it has to offer. Went from a 00 Impala to this, and have no regrets. It rides just as smooth, and turns on a dime. Nice Chevy look, and great American style.

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  Want My Venture Back - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Meggie - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I love the look of the Trail Blazer. Miss the interior room that I had in the Venture Van. Bigger on the outside but smaller on the inside. All computer links on the right side of car inoperable - fortunately computer plug came disconnected/easy repair. VERY DISAPPOINTED with gas mileage. I am averaging 12 mpg!!! Not what sticker said. Thankful I only leased it.

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  Best Damn Truck Ever - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By tebok - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Very good truck runs excellent. Looks awesome

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  Mixed feelings on my 2003 chevy truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By tallguy - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I like the truck but it has many little flaws about it excessive wind noise interior noise level is high sqweaks and rattles in the dash or left door the ONSTAR system is a nightmare the voice command cannot understand my commands because of the excessive interior noise daytime running lights keep burning out I have not taken it back in to the dealer because every time I take it in it is not fixed right the first time or they damage something else or treat the vehicle like it is a chore to fix it overall if I could trust the dealer to fix it I would gladly take it in for the warranty work