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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  Its Awesome - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Dominic Schreiber - March 6 - 10:31 pm

  This is the only vehicle I have ever purchased new. It was a Christmas present for my wife after downsizing her from an Expedition to an Audi A4! The Suburban is HEAD AND SHOULDERS above the Expedition! I have had it over four years now with 79000 miles and NOT A PEEP out of it. Yeah it sucks gas....but look at what it is! I will never get rid of it unless I buy a new one!

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  A Great Ride - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Alan Slightom - March 6 - 4:27 pm

  Excellent truck, hauls Boy Scouts, church groups, band students and all their equipment. Trip out west pulling a 28 ft. trailer. Great towing capacity, extra large fuel tank (42 gal), just doesnt stop. Lease return, never worked hard. Have put 50K on it with no problems. 4WD is excellent, never stuck, snow, mud. Just keeps going.

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  Powerhouse with style - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jason - March 6 - 1:12 pm

  Some say the interior looks dated, I say it looks fine. Now that it is about 5+ years old, no one can believe it has 60,000 miles, it looks new. I am a very maintenance concious though. I wax every 3 months, and wash every week. I definitely do routine oil change.

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  Cant Drive My Shelby Anymore - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Snake Charmer - March 6 - 12:26 pm

  Ive owned a Shelby GT500 for 30 years, but it finally got too valuable to drive. Enter the 1999 C5. Its a terrific, high smiles per dollar car. Faster than the old GT500, and nearly as quick, but with many more creature comforts. It wont replace the Shelby in my garage, but is a terrific daily- driver and is here to stay. I like the black on black, no frills approach. One of my friends said it looks more like a weapon than a luxo- cruiser. Im 65", and it fits well.

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  Z 71 Tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Sean - March 6 - 9:54 am

  The Chevy Tahoe has an exceptional ride for a full size 4WD SUV. Rear captains chairs are very comfortable for adult passengers. Third row split seat is very covenient to install and or remove.

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  Pretty Good Vehicle - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By VinceInCali - March 5 - 9:39 pm

  The only problems I have had with mine is the front brakes and the catalytic converter. It seems to run great otherwise

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  I love it - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By sjhooper - March 5 - 8:29 pm

  I drove an 06 Impala, Accord, Ford 500, Camray, and Altima. When I found this 04 LS with 19000 miles on it sitting in the front row with a $14,900 sticker on it - I fell in love. It has leather, a moonroof and all of the options. Any of the new ones with the same equipment would have run me at leat $12,000 more. I love the car, the ride, the way it looks, the gas mileage and the smell of all of that money in my pocket. If you see an 04 or 05 LS sitting in a lot - take a look and then take a drive. Youll be glad that you did!!! HEY - I LOVE depreciation! If I drive this car for three years I will only lose about $3000 in depreatiation - thank you to person that drove it first!

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  Great Car, Greater Value - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Jim - March 5 - 6:24 pm

  Great little car, gas mileage is great and it looks sharp. Many compact cars may get higher ratings, and may score higher when compared but considering that the car only cost me $10,600 with the MP3 stereo as compared to many compacts costing twice that price its an awesome little car. I dont feel that you can acurately compare a $20,000 car to a $10,000 car so as for Consumer Reports they should compare apples to apples. I can say this I have 8800 miles on mine, it has had no repairs, gets great mileage and I would buy it over again given the need or chance.

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  I love my car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By john - March 5 - 8:36 am

  I love the way this car handles and the ability to just move out with the slightest touch of the gas. It is very fun to drive and it is very nice to look at. I look forward to going to work every morning just so I can drive my car.

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  What A neat car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By LaneN - March 4 - 9:20 pm

  My Maxx is one year old. No problems at all. Have made two vacation trips, amazing but true; 34 MPG highway, loaded with luggage etc. Runs at 70 MPH plus like a charm. Rides as good or better them my 2002 Buick LeSabre. Love that movable rear seat. People ask me about this car because it looks so neat. Wish I had purchased the step up model. When this one reachs about 12,000 miles will get a more up scale model, leather, etc. This one has a sun roof that is fun to use. More people should check this car out before buying other family size cars. Again, great car, great mileage. Im lovin it.