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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  not up to old quality - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By john t. - July 28 - 2:00 am

  problems with engine oil use, stalling engine, air conditioner, pulley, tensioner, cheaper build than older model chevy trucks. i bought new a 95 tahoe...no problems, no oil use, no complaints with the tahoe at all (still have tahoe with 162k miles). 42k should buy a great truck! it did not.

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  2002 Z06 - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jmarxen - July 28 - 2:00 am

  It never fails to put a smile on my face when I start the engine. This car may well be the best designed and engineered sports car in the world. You could pay more and get less, if you prefer snob appeal. 0-60 in 4 seconds, 170 mph on the local straight-away, great handling, good looks, value priced ... what more could you want?

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  Looking for new owner! - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Brent Rheinheimer - July 27 - 2:00 am

  Has tow package. First three years used to pull boat. Not since. Great SUV. No rust or dents. Paint is in very good condition. Mobile One oil since first oil change. All papers on service avaiable. Life time brakes. New Full set of new tires this year. New battery 2003.

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  1-for-1 - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By JB2 - July 27 - 2:00 am

  My first and only (thanks to the reliability) camaro thus far, though might have to look for a final year model for the memories! There are a few complaints, but the features & enjoyment of the ride far outweigh any bad marks. Should have never driven the V8 or Id still think life couldnt get any better!

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  saushas review - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By sausha - July 27 - 2:00 am

  my blazer is one of the best vehicles ive bought its comfortable luxrious and all out great i would recomend this vehicle to anybody looking for a nice vehicle.

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  My little corsica - 1995 Chevrolet Corsica
  By charli_red1218@yahoo - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Well...I got my corsica a yr ago this august. since then the passenger door has stopped opening from the outside and I had to have the catalytic converter changed and transmission work done. Usually its reliable though the a/c is ice cold. I wish it accelerated better but its pretty durable. I wanted a civic but had to settle for the corsica. Ill be sad to see it go now, but it will one day, not too lovable at first but it grows on you! :) I love her

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  AMAZING AFTER SO MANY MILES!!!! - 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By CypressMJ - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Id have to say I am really proud of my Cavalier VL coupe. She runs great and fast. As a teenager still in the wanna-be fast stage of my life, this baby has all the power I need with a 3.1L engine pulling about 140 horsepower. Other then the lack of stylish exterior and constant rust problems, my car, after 102,456 miles on it, still runs fresh off the dealership. Watch out for that thermostat, though. Shell stick on ya!

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  Dependable - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By HAPPY40 - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Is really fun and responsive when you have to go. Easy to park. Need the drivers seat a little bit higher for better view.

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  good truck - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By pkoplin - July 26 - 2:00 am

  it is everything it is billed at...safe, strong...ableto move the family with no effort...okay gas mileage consdiering you are pulling 5100 llbs....good computer info to driver...onstar a plus..kids love the dvd and so do I

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  Very Disapointed - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By John Degory - July 25 - 9:33 pm

  The gas mileage is very disapointing. At least 5 miles under what is advertised. Outside design is very sharp. Interior cloth for LT is very cheap. More attention needed to the plastic edges by windows. The dash rattles. The map lights blind the driver when used. Great room in the back seat and headroom. Moonroof is also very nice. Over all interior needs upgraded for LT version. The turning radius is horrible and the outside mirrors need to be heated in the LT version.