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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  Unbelievable - 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By gmman - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for 6 years. Of the 15 cars Ive owned over 20 years, this has been the most reliable, best investment I ever made. I was skeptical at first, but it has proven itself. I bought it with 113K miles and it now has 186K miles. Ive had very few, minor problems with it and until this week, the A/C froze me out on the hottest Florida days. Believe the compressor is still good hopefully just a leak.

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  98 Cavalier Sedan - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Tim Seekins - June 11 - 2:00 am

  The first thing I noticed after doing a machine test on this car was how incredibly noisy the engine is(since its closer to the driver than usual). For a 2.2, its horsepower isnt very good but the torque isnt bad. It was difficult to get the car up to 100 mph. The acceleration is decent and the mobility and turning is excellent. The transmission shifts rather quickly and rougher than usual. If your looking for a reliable-modest sedan... This is a car for you.

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  love of a legend - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Aw311 - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Great performance of a 60s muscle cars like the 427 camaros of old, with double the fuel economy, three times the amount of handling and features. Best of all the Ls1 V8 aluminum block with alot of performance availability, what a push rod legend. These cars can really lay down the low end power. Ad a good exhaust and air intake and 400 hp is not too far off for under half the price of expensive imports or the vette. Great driving on back roads and drag strip launches on high way on ramps what a blast to drive..

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  Problems too early!! - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By scott - June 10 - 3:16 am

  This truck looks better than the new Ford (ugly tailgate), but the cloth interior has to be cleaned with a lint brush and tape. Very hard to get clean. I have had the truck in the shop for a new transmission and problem with solenoid hose was routed wrong causing a loud noise. The transmission went out in 3 months. The automatic tire pressure gauge light came on 2 days after I drove it off the lot and they have attempted 2 times to reset it without success. The price was right on this truck, but will probably never buy another Chevy.

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  ...A GOOD BUY - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By BIG DADDY - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I BOUGHT THE TRACKER OVER FOUR YEARS AGO AND I HAVENT EVEN HAD TO REPLACE A MUFFLER. LOT OF LEG ROOM UP FRONT AND HEAD ROOM GALORE. THE 4CYL. ISNT QUITE ENOUGH, BUT THEY NOW COME WITH A SIX.ITS THE EASIEST SUV TO PUT THE SEATS DOWN, PACK UP AND GO. I PLAN ON HANGING ONTO MY TRACKER FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS.

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  My Venture Experience - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By lnorman - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I loved my Venture van. However, it was my 2nd Chevrolet to own, having previously owned a Cavalier. It is only 2 years old and the air conditioner quit and has to have a new compressor. I bought it as a program car so unfortunately the warranty is out. The air conditioner quit in my Cavalier after only 2 years also! I am angry about the a.c. system not lasting more than 2 years. I traded in my 2 year old van yesterday. I am sad because I truly loved my Venture van. I will never own another Chevrolet. I am sad because I truly enjoyed my Venture experience.

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  Irish Review - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By jpk0344 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the SUV over six months and have no problems with it. I wish the fuel economy was better but other than that it has been a good vehicle.

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  We tried them all! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By hornerfm - June 8 - 2:00 am

  We drove almost every suv with a third row and this surpassed them all! Its the only one with enough room for adults in the third row that was not like driving a bus. It drives like a car, instead of a huge feeling bus! I love the ease of entry in to the third row, you can do it all one handed, which is important since I have 4 children!

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  Awesome!! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By GSmith6204 - June 7 - 2:00 am

  My first SUV....what can I say, I love it!!

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  Great car when it works - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By tkebp1333 - June 6 - 4:33 am

  I love everything about this car when it works...the USB port has an error (always say AUX out with 2 different ipods and cords, it has been in the shop 4 times (I only have 7400 miles on it) because GM didnt get all of the metallic dust out of the engine from the casting. CAM Sensors cleaned, then replaced (x2), then CAM actuators replaced. As I said it looks darn good, gets great gas mileage and is decently peppy for a 4 cylinder. I still sort of recommend it, but I am embarrassed that this car stalled and bucked at red lights (almost pushed me through a few times) as much as it did. I mean embarrassed as in this is an American made car and we need to step our game up.