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 best one yet - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Alan Frankel - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This being my 10th Corvette, and knowing about all there is to know about the car, I can honestly say this one is by far the best on yet. Comfort and driveability are great. My last one, a 1993 Anniversary edition had more power, but not even close in comfort. I love this car, the best one yet.

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  The Car That Wont Quit - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By QueenFancyPants - October 26 - 10:31 pm

  I received my Lumina, from my aunty a while back. She gave it to me when she got a new car. The Lumina is a great car. Its great on fuel mileage, reliable and very comfortable. Im 56 and I can easily get comfortable in the drivers seat. Power is instant and I can hardly resist the sound of the 3.1 V6. The car has over 140,000 miles on it and the transmission shifts from first to fourth since its failing. Other than that, this car is perfect. I love the interior and exterior and its a shame that Chevy stopped making Luminas. Reliablity is spot on and I do routine maintenence myself. Its the car the wont quit.

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  Fond Memories! - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Rachel - October 26 - 10:07 pm

  This was the best car I ever owned! I bought it used with 43,000 miles on it and put another 135,000 miles in 6 years. It ran like a dream even after it was flooded in Florida! The A/C didnt work so great after the fire, but it still ran for another year. (if you change the oil, dont leave the rag and bottle under the hood!) If you take care of it, itll last you a really long time

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  Fast little truck - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By E. LINDROS MARTUCCI - October 26 - 9:29 pm

  I really love this 2009 truck. I drive it daily to my home in Lake Wallenpaupack Pennsylvania and get about 27 miles per gallon highway. There is ample cargo room for a family of four and the stopping power is good due to the 4 wheel Brembo disc brakes. I have customized the exterior with chrome accents to give the truck a custom appearance. Test drive one and you will be hooked.

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  Good Gas Mileage - 2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Randy - October 25 - 11:07 pm

  The window sticker said 14 city, 24 hwy. I have the 6cyl 4.2 engine and getting 20 around town and 25 hwy. I do not understand why they are advertise at 20 mpg highway? I like the performance and quality. It is a medium SUV with a lot of room inside and fits in my garage perfect. The ride is very smooth for an SUV

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  Awesome car, happy Gramma! - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By LAURA - October 25 - 5:50 pm

  I have always enjoyed the three previous Chevys I owned. (Chevelle, Malibu Classic, Monte Carlo. I purchased my current Monte Carlo last February 05, 2006. Plenty of room in back, as I use a wheelchair, and I am able to put it behind the passenger side front bucketseat. I have no problems with that process. Long live the two door mid-size Monte!

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  Awesome Car! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By bryan - October 25 - 12:56 pm

  Probably the fastest car Ive ever owned. Im 60 years old and had plenty of cars! Love this sporty sedan! Not since 1961 have I had an Impala so nice!

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  Awesome - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Rick1234894 - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Its an extremely smooth ride with a good amount of power

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  Got Milk? - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By LMX - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Thus far, I have had no problems with my car, and although it is less than 5 months old, I bought a 99 Z-24 brand new, and traded it in, so I had it around 3 years, with no major problems, and only normal wear and tear expenses with my very aggressive driving style. I race, and these cars have held up suprisingly well with the stresses I put it through, although I do keep it excellently maintained.

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  Avalanche owner review - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By MassiveAvalanche - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle since November of 2001. All i can say is this truck is fantastic. They have opened so many doors to the idea of having a truck. Its amazingly more pratical then an average truck, its powerful, and its so unique. Every pickup truck looks like every other pickup truck, apart from the grille. But the Avalanche has given a completely new look to a pickup truck. One that i find to be agressive (which in my opinion is AWESOME!) I have had no problems with it, and love it 100%. I would recommend this truck to anyone.