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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  Keeping it Real - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Huggins - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car about 7 mounths and it has been a model of efficiency and reliability. After 175,000 on the odo, all Ive got to do is get an oil change and new brake pads. I love the acceleration of the 3.1 V6. It makes merging and flying across 4 lanes of traffic a piece of cake. Compared to my old 90 Cavalier, well, there is no comparison. Take care of it, and youll be proud of your new Malibu.

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  Hell of a first car - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Metlhed1386 - March 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my first car and Im lovin it. Not only does it look good but it goes good too. Theres nothin like cruising with T-tops

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  Disappointed - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Marlene - March 14 - 4:46 am

  Having owned the 2000 Impala I was excited about the new body style of the 2006. While I enjoy the comfort of the car and the drive performance, I have experienced nothing but problems with the ABS/Traction Control System. I have been back and forth to the dealership at least five times and they have replaced the electronic braking module and the rear wheel harness attempting to remedy the problem. To no avail the problem is still occuring intermittently. I love my car, but I hate the problems that I am experiencing. Looks like I will have to trade it in sooner rather than later. Looks like GM is going to lose a valuable customer.

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  S-10 2.2 liter engine LB - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By sssmmm - March 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the truck for nine years and last year I had to spend $1200 on head gasket. Windshield wipers work occaisonaly. Hauls loads fine, just wish the mechanical systems were up to the quality of Japanese automakers.

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  1500 - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By playnoutdoors - March 13 - 12:02 pm

  Truck is very comfortable to ride in on long trips. It has descend power and torque. Truck was not real reliable. Transmission went out around 100000 and i do not tow with truck.Truck could not keep tie rods on.replaced tierods and ball joint every 25-30 thousand miles and tie rod keep braking.I have never use 4wheel dr. The milage is not good. i know its a v8 4x4 but averaging 7.5 to 9 city and 12 highway is pretty dang poor. I set the cruise on the highway between 65 and 70. i live in a town of 20,000 people so there is not a lot of stop n go traffic and the closed freeway is an hour and a half away. i drive with a light foot and never let the truck get above 3000 rpm unless i am passing

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  No brainer - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By carzilla - March 13 - 2:00 am

  We sold our 00 Honda Odyssey after #3 son came along as it was just too small. I choose this vehicle through a process of elimination and was quite pleased to find that it drives better, is quieter and is more comfortable than the minivan in every way. If you need something this big I highly recommend it. There are really no good alternatives for 3+ kids to ride in comfort and safety. Please dont put your children in rear facing wagon seats (Mercedes, Volvo, etc) which are in a crumple zone.

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  Fun Vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mdgolf - March 13 - 2:00 am

  One great vehicle to drive....performs like a pickup but drives like a SUV....the best of both worlds

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  Great car - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Jordan - March 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car 8 months ago, it has never let me down, preforance is good (for a v6) gets the looks with a little tlc and some nice rims.

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  Great car - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By jordan - March 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car 8 months ago, it has never let me down, preforance is good (for a v6) gets the looks with a little tlc and some nice rims.

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  Exceeding my expectations - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By aaron - March 12 - 2:00 am

  After driving a 97 Nissan Pathfinder for 5 years, I though ride quality couldnt be improved on another SUV. I was wrong. This car rides like a well mannered Cadillac. 5.3 V8 is a must. Has a nice throaty V8 rumble when you punch it. low road noise compared to my wifes new Ford Exploder which we hate. Very little cargo room when 3rd row seat isnt folded up. Fuel economy totally stinks, especially if you like to utilize the big V8 (which I do.) Turning radius is absolutely fantastic, light years better than my Pathfinder or the Exploder even though they are much smaller. I feel very safe carrying my 9 month old. I couldnt ask for a better family car!