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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  Reliable Cavalier - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By JMeadows - August 23 - 2:00 am

  A very good, reliable and gas friendly vehicle. Very little up keep other than basic oil changes, etc.

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  Reliable Venture - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By JMeadows - August 23 - 2:00 am

  This is our family vehicle. It is very reliable and comfortable. There are so many options for storage.

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  Gas Milage On Actual Usage - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SPCCTX - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Yes, Ive noticed that in town stop and go driving kills the mpg, but once on the highway its much better. I have the V-6. The only thing Ive noticed is that tiny rust marks like tiny pin hole drops are all over the paint. Im not sure what happened there since I bought the car used back in Nov. 03.

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  Suits its purpose - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By lmstearn - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I am in a van because I need to be with 3 year old twins. Going in to it I decided I wanted bare bones only with no fancy extras like power doors, etc. However, this is my second van and there were some must haves like rear air and 8 passenger seating. Ive owned the van for 1 year and have been very happy with it. It definitely suits its purpose and I have no major complaints. Overall I am very satisfied with this vehicle.

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  Best of the Domestics - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Hobbie2k - August 21 - 9:13 pm

  I bought my Cobalt for the rebates, otherwise Id be driving an import. That said, the Cobalt is a big improvement over the outdated Cavalier. Excellent fuel economy (Ive seen 36mpg; and with only 2000mi, it will improve when things loosen up). The metallic orange paint gets attention, and the 2.2L Ecotec is one of GMs best engines ever. However, a good engine and decent styling cant hide all the places GM cheaped out. Such as lock placement that makes them impossible to use while youre seated in the car, or the solid grey interior door panels (it would have been much classier to continue the dashs two tone them into the doors), or the cheap feeling steering wheel and shifter.

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  I have loved 2 trackers! - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Kkfairy - August 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Tracker and they have both been wonderful - not even a lightbulb went out on my 2001 in three years of ownership! - I find it dependable, fun to drive and just what I was looking for - all for a very reasonable price. The back seat could use a bit more room, but then, I dont sit back there, so I dont really care!

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  Buy one - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Ron Fowler - August 21 - 2:00 am

  Had mine for 6 months. Ride is very good. Acceleration better than expected. 22 mpg around town. A/C works super (florida). Has most wanted accesories, standard (LS series). Downgrade this car for wind noise when window is open. Excellant radio, with sub woofer std. With todays discounts this is a super bargain.

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  suburban lover - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By trapper - August 21 - 2:00 am

  Very responsive. Great fun to drive. We travel alot and it is very confortable. Has all thew options that make it a pleasure to spend hours in on the road. Very comfortable for big people ( over 64" and 20). Not our first suburban and wont be our last.

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  Great reliable car - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By kris3847 - August 20 - 2:00 am

  IT gets good mileage and is very dependable. Ive not had to do anything but regular maintenance in the past 4 years. My only complaint is that they put the cup holders in front of the cd, which makes getting cds in/out is a hassle and sometimes when you try to grab your drink you stop the cd or change the channel on the radio and stuff like that.

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  stallouts - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By pass road - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Purchase vehicle with 49 miles on it and at 124 miles i experience a total lost of electrical power. the car was return to dealer not only ones but twice for a total 13 days of shop repairs in 33 days of ownership. This problem continued and the car is parked and in arbitration with 710 miles on it.