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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  The 4 Suburbans Owner - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Cherokawa - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Im a long time Suburban owner. I have 4 of them. My Likes are the sound system. for a factory stereo, it is outstanding. I like the feel of saftey in a truck like the Suburban, ( I hate the "Yuppie" word SUV )but its loaded with more plastic and softer metal than the previous Suburbans I own. But still held up real well in the 60mph accident I had and I walked away, and drove away after the police finished the report.The utility truck I hit didnt fare out so well.the thing I hate the most is the Fuel Economy, but 12mpg local is pretty good for the weight and size of the truck. 17mpg highway with a 38 Ft. travel Trailer isnt too Shabby either.

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  Awesome beast !! - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By ED VOSS - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Handling and performance of the Camaro SS is awesome. This car is a beast, capable of over 150 mph and quarter mile under 13.5 seconds. It can rock n roll in the twisties, too. If you didnt get your factory hot rod 35 years ago, then the Camaro SS is the modern day equal. The SS shares a LS1 V8 with the Corvette, delivery 325-345 horses, The Corvette and Viper are faster, but for a whole lot less money, albeit equally high insurance premiums, the Camaro SS is a bargain.

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  Disappointing Gas Mileage - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mark Ricca - March 8 - 1:00 am

  A fine looking car inside and out. The small block V8 engine is quick and powerful. The engine does not deliver anywhere near the EPA estimated and GM advertised gas mileage, even when driven ultra-conservatively on long trips.

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  Better after the fact! - 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By G Marzett - March 7 - 12:25 am

  Dealer had to replace the engine at 50,000 miles,and replace the electronics in the dash at 30,000 miles. After those problems were fixed,my truck has been great!

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  2005 Equinox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Steve - March 6 - 5:20 am

  I love the vehicle. It has tons of room in the front, and back seats. It is a very nice looking vehicle on the outside, but needs a little work on the inside. The interior of the doors are less than luxurious, and the sound system needs imporvement as well. Overall, for the price, its a very good vehicle.

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  I love it anyway! - 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
  By BradleyP - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I got her with 96K miles, and now have 108K. I had to put about $2000 into repairs and general upkeep. I now have a slight tick in the rear end, could cost $1500 in parts. I am going to run it at the track again this year, well see how far I get! It drives great and very fun, but be prepared to spend money.

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  adios my tahoe - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tahoe bill - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I just traded my faithful 97 Tahoe in on a Honda Accord. No longer need the Tahoes room or towing ability, and gas is getting expensive. After 92k miles, it ran like brand new, used zero oil, and was as tight and rattle-free as the day I bought it. Id give it a 10 for reliability, except I had to replace the water pump, alternator, front rotors, & rebuild the master cylinder. Otherwise it was trouble-free and only needed tires, a battery, & gas (15 mpg avg). It was an excellent, comfy, roomy, nice-driving rig, and I know therell be times Ill miss it. Id buy it again if I had the need.

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  HotDamn - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By GRRRR - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I picked up my Avalanche about two weeks ago and I love it. My wife and kids also love it and want to use it as the family vehicle now. My wife threatened to take the Avalanche for herself and leave me with our 02 Ford Escape. For comfort, power, versitality and ride Id have to say that this is the best vehicle Ive ever driven. Also, this thing is as loaded as a Cadillac! This is the first vehicle that Ive ever owned that impressed me enough to want to get another one when this one is ready for pasture.

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  chevy malibu - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Richard Rights - March 4 - 2:00 am

  car performs well. has not given me any trouble.

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  A womans review - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By truckinmom - March 4 - 2:00 am

  Was afraid to drive such a big vehicle, but my husband wanted it and now I love it - I wouldnt trade it for the world. My kids love the room it has and we can carry the whole extended family around instead of taking two cars everywhere. As well as you can haul just about anything in it. Its an all around great vehicle and would recommend it to anyone. I find that I dont drive very fast in it, I drive faster in my Pontiac, just because my braking distance is longer than a regular car so I put extra distance between myself and other cars and I simply enjoy driving my Suburban.