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:

• 

  Not bad! - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Little Jenn - May 6 - 2:00 am

  This was my first "new" car and I was thrilled when I bought it. After 3 years I had to have the transmission replaced! Thankfully I opted for the extended warranty because it came in handy. Ever since then Ive had to do minor repairs here and there but the car keeps on going. Since my Chevy is stick I get EXCELLENT gas mileage! Its small enough to park on city streets but big enough to carry anything I need to stuff in there!! I would recomend it to anyone who needs a nice size car with a sportier look.

• 

  Still going - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ad199030 - May 6 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Tahoe for over 2 years and for the most part I have had only a couple of items go bad. I would say they are normal wear. I would have to say when something goes wrong it can get expensive to fix.

• 

  Z71 Great But..... - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By cnick54 - May 6 - 2:00 am

  I love the way this truck looks, rides, confort, Great in the snow. One Mojor complaint Lousy gas miliage only 11 mpg. For the money I would have gotten the Suburban version instead. The mpgs would be the same and Id have more room. Brakes are so-so leave plenty of distance

• 

  Twas a Sleeper - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Deke - May 5 - 2:00 am

  Considering the price (under 16G) when new, this one was a sleeper. Surprisingly tight, smooth ride, although that has deteriorated somewhat as tires have worn. There have been repairs, including transmission pan leak, and its worthwhile keeping current with various filter replacements. Engines a willing worker, but not very refined. Contrary to Consumers Reports review, the handling with Goodrich tires is sharp and precise for a car its size.

• 

  Best Car Ive ever owned - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By dan-o the ritalinkid - May 5 - 2:00 am

  The Lumina kept myself and my family safe from serious injury in a recent accident. When a minivan made a turn directly in my path not more than aprox. 50ft away while I was traveling at approx 40mph the impact was unavoidable. The mini van had 12 passengers, 4 more than its limit. The Luminas front impacted the passenger side of the van just between front and rear doors. Not only did myself and my family escape serious injury but the Lumina was still running and the radiator still held its coolant. Sorry to say 10 of the 12 van pasengers were injured. The Lumina had an excellent history of reliability since I owned it.

• 

  Good car - but do I want another? - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Daddyio - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought the 2000 in June 1999. Weve put 77,000 miles on with just the minimum normal upkeep. 1 annoying thing - the front window would "ping" like a pebble hit it when the tempurature inside was cooler than out. Weird and annoying!! I just totalled it and my husband wants to replace with new one - same color, etc. They dont seem to have changed in 4 years, except for being $4,000 more. I want to change, but maybe just for change sake. Any comments??

• 

  happy track - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By tracker happy - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I have just perchased my 2nd tracker, I have a 2000 model and just bought the same 2003 model. WE REALLY LOVE IT! My 2000 model has never been in the shop, the gas mileage is great and I had a car accident 9k worth of damage and I walked away.I have to say that the tracker is worth the money and that is why we are buying again. Hope the new one has just as good of a TRACKER! record.

• 

  Loved the car for a month or so, but now - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Joe - May 2 - 4:10 am

  I have owned my Cobalt for about 3 months and my initial impression has been very good. Very little rattles, good mileage, and the 4-cylinder engine has more power than I expected. But the car has been to the dealer twice now for an oil leak from the manual transmission, first at 800 miles and now at 1300 miles. It is in the shop right now and the dealer is replacing the transmission. Safe to say I am not happy. A three-month-old car with 1300 miles and the transmission needs replaced. Hopefully the new replacement will be fine. I am keeping my fingers crossed. But at this low of mileage I think the whole car should be replaced.

• 

  An ok car - 1991 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Rohlffy - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Its an alright car but it could get better. Not bad for a first car.

• 

  Great "appliance"! - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bytepeddler - May 1 - 2:00 am

  Get in, turn key, steer, arrive safely, no problem. Does this over and over. No heads turn -- so what... Bottom line is reliable, safe, reasonably comfortable appliance. Great value.