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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  Great Truck!!! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By RPH - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Have owned this truck since new. Put many mods on both exterior and drivetrain. Its a lot of fun and easy to work on. You need metric tools. It does everything they say it will and more!

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  Has done the job - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Spain1966 - February 26 - 2:00 am

  The one and only. Gas guzzler extrodinaire, but we have enjoyed it as a multipurpose family car. Great for long trips, and great in bad weather.

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  good car - 1994 Chevrolet Lumina
  By shaffer - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for a year. It is my work car and I drive it five days a week. Also driven on a few trips to keep miles low on other cars. It has been a really good car. It has almost 162K miles. Has been well maintained. I have only had to install new fuel pump, water pump and brakes the entire year I had it. Still does not use or leak any oil. For what I paid, it is excellent. Drives very good. Too bad Chevrolet does not make the Lumina any longer.

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  Disbelief - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Toony - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I went looking for a used car in the $5000 range, expecting to get some kind of small box. When the salesman showed me the Lumina, I figured it was out of my price range (wrong - after research and playing hardball, I got it for $4100). I put another $500 in maintenance repair at my mechanics shop, and now I have a car that one co- worked thought was new off the lot. This car is great. Its big, can fit both kids comforably in the back, is quiet and quick. I love it.

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  My Cavi is great - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By msenne - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Great car. I like it because its sporty and economical.

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  Sorry to see her go - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By great truck - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my blazer for 4 years. I drive hard and I put 60,000 miles on her. I have to trade her in cause I cant afford the raising gas prices I need something smaller. As far as ride, power, room, features, and dependablity this car gave me everything. The ball joints went bad on the front axle, but it was in the shop for a day and it was covered under warranty. Im gonna miss her

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  Not bad GM - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By chevy1567892 - February 24 - 2:00 am

  After reading the other reviews, my Tahoe looks like a Toyota. I was woried about GM quality but had to have a V8 SUV for towing which meant Expedition or Tahoe. At 100k mile, the only real problem was the front suspension (Pitman and A arms had to be replaced to keep the truck in alignment). New altenator, battery, a few sensors, cap and rotor have also been replaced. This SUV still has the most confortable seats of any SUV, tows exceptionally, is just the right size, and has classic SUV styling. Didnt think I would get used to the mushy brakes, but they do stop ok if you remember what youre driving. MPG has been about 16.5 in city/highway mix.

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  2002 Tahoe - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By likeit - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Very pleased with this vehicle

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  LOVE THE EXTERIOR...UPGRADE THE INTERIOR - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By MIKEYC - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE HAD MY 2002 TAHOE FOR 11 MONTHS, AND 11000 MILES. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PERFORMANCE THAT THE CHEVY V-8 IS UNSURPASSED, BUT THE INTERIOR NEEDS SOME UPGRADING. LEATHER SEATS ARE COMFORTABLE AND APPEALING BUT WAY TOO MUCH PLASTIC IN DASHBOARD AND DOOR PANELS. PUT A IMPORT INTERIOR WITH THIS DOMESTIC EXTERIOR, AND YOU WOULD HAVE S.U.V. EUPHORIA.

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  My new Car - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Meredith Webb - February 23 - 10:03 pm

  Like the power and response. Radio is difficult, but not important. Cup holder in front cannot be used with emergency brake up, doesnt fit. Also, windshield is lower than the moulding around it, so when you are trying to clean the windshield with the wipers, it can only push(snow) so far and then it piles up so you cannot see, especially on the drivers side. Seats are manual, which doesnt really matter except you can only go front and back, whereas a short person like myself needs it to go up.