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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  My used SUB - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By WINGED LION - November 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a comfortable, smooth riding SUV! Already own GM truck for years with same engine and Trans. Both smooth and powerful. Visibility restricted when backing up. Go over a few curbs due to its length. Dont want to drive anything else because of feeling of good size and safety.

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  I Like the LS - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Tony The Tiger - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I took a look at the car when a friend of mine showed me hers. The LS was top of the line in 2002. For a family man who wants a comfortable car with a sporty fair, this car is ideal.

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  30K in the best car Ive owned - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Steve - November 21 - 9:14 pm

  Best features: fuel mileage, driver comfort, low interior noise, emergency handling, smooth handling of recalls and no surprise repairs. Worst: As delivered, trunk provides no way to restrain its cargo; difficulty gauging how close I am to objects behind me. The rating and the meager "worsts" tell the story. My "suburban" (i.e., a mixture of highway and stop-light ruled streets) gas mileage ranges from 30-33, highway mileage at 68-70 mph on cruise control often touches high 30s. The six-speed manual, combined with the turbocharger, takes some learning to get shift points right for performance and mileage. If I shift at around 2200 rpm and hit 6th by 40 mph, my mileage is excellent. The combination of the electric steering (which I learned to like in my 2003 Saturn Ion) and the suspension have let me react very quickly (e.g., when someone decided she liked my lane without asking) with no drama. My wife likes to drive, especially on long trips, and, except for the shifting in stop-and-go, has found her comfortable seating position and mirror settings and puts in hundreds of miles at a clip. The Value rating is my best way of describing my experience so far. At 2 3/4 years, I genuinely enjoy driving this car.

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  Suburban LTZ - 2006 Chevrolet Suburban
  By ryan w - November 21 - 3:59 pm

  Since there wasnt an option for the LTZ i picked the 2500 option. Same engine, V8 6.0, but not a dually. I bought this in 2014, 3rd owner, with only 74000 miles on it. Ran great, but the fuel pump went due to upstate NY rust problems. Then the tranny went. Got a rebuilt one, but then the radiator cooler exploded, and down went the tranny again. Replaced that at 106000. Now have 113+ Pit new michelins on it, and hopefully now is as good as new. Luxurious options throughout. Plenty of room for wife and 5 kids. Holds value, and the LTZ is unique and hard to find in this year. Switched to a k&n filter for better mileage, now average about 14 city. Typical other repairs, wheel hubs, brakes, all in all not too bad, after the transmission went. I use only synthetic oil, and engine runs quiet.

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  very satisfied - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By jbdb134 - November 21 - 2:00 am

  The best little truck Ive ever owned. No major problems. Wish it had more hp for a 4 cyl. Lots of fun to drive.

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  170 miles and broke down - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By dirtywork - November 21 - 1:00 am

  Love this truck, but left me dissapointed today after a gas leak in the middle of a major street. Had my family inside and got out quick when a pedestrian said the car was leaking gas! Turned into major ordeal, fire truck came and waited to see if the truck got on fire or something. Just installed 22" rims on it yesterday and now I wont see my truck until Tuesday and see what the heck happened to it. I love the truck so much that I wish I can get a new one or fix it and make it safer. Thank God that we are alive, it could of been worse. I could of ignited or some smoker flicking their cigarette out the window. Have your truck inspected before you drive home with it.

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  2003 Venture Warner Bros - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By JerryV - November 17 - 2:00 am

  So far the 2003 Venture has been a very reliable and versatile vehicle. It is comfortable on long trips and the gas mileage is averaging around 21 miles per gal. I have used it for trips to the lumber yard to pick up lumber and materials and with all rears seats folding flat is makes it very easy to load.

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  review - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tahoeboy2 - November 17 - 2:00 am

  great for road trips, even when towing a fairly heavy load such as a 5 wheel. day to day gas mileage sucks with the 4.11 rearend... but you can almost pull a house off the foundation!!!

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  Piece of Junk - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jmyer - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Absolute lemon. Trying to sell it!

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  Pros and Cons - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Heather - November 16 - 12:30 pm

  I love my car but there are a few issues I have. First of all, the CD player is a mess. I have already had one replaced and another replacement is on the way. The CDs get stuck in the player and will not come out. Second, light interior. I have had a light interior in cars before but never as easily stained as my Equinox i.e., my hair was wet when I got in the car and it made a water stain on the head rest that will not go away. Lastly, at times I have noticed the car will make knocking noises or jerk when I turn corners. The adjustable back seat is great! I can make extra room for the kids on long trips or make extra space in the back when I go shopping. Overall, great car!