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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  Still love it after 10 years - 1995 Chevrolet Impala
  By mohammo - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought our SS off the showroom floor in 94. Wish We would have waited a year to get the floor shifter offered in the 96 model. When new, we were regularly smoking the 5.0 Mustangs and impressing local law enforcement. Lots of fun to beat up ponies with a grocery-getter. Frequently asked if its for sale...maybe...if my wife convinces me to upgrade to a C6 Vette.

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  Perfect vehicle for family vacations. - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Rodney880 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Chevy Venture Warner Brothers Edition. It is the perfect vehicle for an active family. There is nothing like a van for road trips/vacations. The Entertainment center keeps the peace. The only complaint has been the problematic air conditioning - had it in for service and they told me that it works just fine - but it doesnt hardly work at all! Love the fold down 3rd row seat and the 8 passenger capcity.

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  2001 2500HD - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By rackmaster287 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Problem with engine knock and goig to full throttle when slowing or stopped with foot on brake. Neither problem fixed by dealers.

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  New Camaro drop top back seats breakkneck situatio - 2017 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Driver - August 25 - 8:09 pm

  I will not let anyone ride in the rear seats due to the lack of headrests. What is GM thinking?

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  I agree with "Not again by vaaccess" - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Hell Boy - August 25 - 2:00 am

  I agree with Vaaccess a 100%! I bought my Z24, because I wanted a cool car to get me to college, and work. But the car became more problem, then it is worth it. Several times I went down to Toyota and Hyundai dealerships looking to trade inn my z24. But I just could not trade in my sports coupe for an Accent or an Echo. The only thing that stoped me was a thought of giving up my hard earned monthly paycheck just to pay for the new car and insurance. Other wise I would have done it a long time ago! This tought me a valuable lesson of never buying another American car again.

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  Very safe vehicle to drive - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rnavarro - August 25 - 2:00 am

  I have had no problems with the car. I did, however, get in a pretty serious accident with it and walked away without a scratch. I would highly recommend this vehicle to people concerned about safety.

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  Excellent Value - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By dboca - August 24 - 10:00 am

  I am pleased with my ownership experience so far. Never had any problem for 34000 miles. I had to change the brake pads at 31000 miles though, which I consider a bit early. But I still feel I got excellent value in return of my investment.

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  Good car - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By bauerboy - August 24 - 2:00 am

  Overall, good car to drive and useful features. Good gas mileage for size of engine but not a good overall fuel economy vehicle

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  Great Vehicle! - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By stupotlynn - August 24 - 2:00 am

  I love my Tahoe. The DVD entertainment center is great for those with kids when on long trips. The driver convenience features are also well tuned for those with long trips for business or pleaseure. Gas mileage is a little low, but it is a large SUV. The seats are very comfortable and supportive. Great power, but I would still like more.

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  S-10 Keeps on Trucking - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By GJCAILL - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I have had only minor repairs until recently.(front end work-lower ball joints,upper a-frame bushings,tierod ends,idler arm and center link. I had previously had only changed the ac compressor, spark plugs one time, water pump-leaking,belt,and idler pulley.The shocks have all been replaced