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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  OK - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By 67getx - February 8 - 5:46 pm

  I bought my truck with 5300 miles on it. I was replacing a 98 Xtra Cab GMC that I loved. This truck does what it is supposed to do. I pull a 18 trailer regularly and it does fine. It has a rougher ride and the seat is not comfortable to me. They raised the body from the older ones so you have higher to lift things into the bed. Gas mileage is about what I expected. The transmission slipped and the dealer replaced my convertor. No other problems since. Has more wind noise in the cab than the 8 year old truck I got rid of.

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  I like my Suburban - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Ed in Huntsville - February 8 - 2:00 am

  great vehicle on a trip and around town very reliable reasonably good gas mileage (16mpg) great hauling capacity.

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  A perfectly fine American alternative - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By DBINGHAM - February 7 - 2:00 am

  My wifes father and brother are GM employees, so weve had a string of leased GM vehicles, starting with a 1993 Olds Cutlass Ciera. The 2000 Malibu replaced a 97 Lumina for us and the improvement was immediately noticeable. Although a size class down from the Lumina, it was just as roomy and had a much more solid feel. Handling, ride, and road noise were all much improved. Over time, the Malibu has had its glitches. Weve had a little trouble with the electrical system the running lights dim and the heater loses strength on long trips. However, the Malibu, for the money is a dependable car and a pleasure to drive.

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  A perfectly fine American alternative - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By dbingham - February 7 - 2:00 am

  My wifes father and brother are GM employees, so weve had a string of leased GM vehicles, starting with a 1993 Olds Cutlass Ciera. The 2000 Malibu replaced a 97 Lumina for us and the improvement was immediately noticeable. Although a size class down from the Lumina, it was just as roomy and had a much more solid feel. Handling, ride, and road noise were all much improved. Over time, the Malibu has had its glitches. Weve had a little trouble with the electrical system the running lights dim and the heater loses strength on long trips. However, the Malibu, for the money is a dependable car and a pleasure to drive.

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  Love this SUV - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Don Parker - February 7 - 2:00 am

  We have loved this SUV from the start. Ive had no problems with this clunk that some talk about -- perhaps because of the 4WD, not sure. Also, ours has the towing package and limited slip differential so that could be reason. The truck is very comfortable and the heated seats in winter and front/rear AC in summer make for enjoyable experience.

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  Z-34 Believer - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Racin - February 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1991 Z-34 a couple months before I got my license, and was already the envy of all my friends with their Mustangs, Eclipses and BMWs. It was inexpensive (4000 bucks), had 210 hp stock, a great ride, smooth shifting tranny, but the brakes were pretty crappy. After 1000 dollars in performance brake parts, a several thousand dollar stereo system and innumerable hours of love and care, this car is incredible! If youre looking to buy a great car, the Z-34 is for you!

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  96 cav - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By 96chevy - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Just getting rid of this car after over 103,000 miles due to a blown gasket. Only other significant repair was air conditioning system around 75,000 miles. It was a reliable, affordable car.

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  GREAT TAHOE - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By quorum - February 6 - 2:00 am

  im 16 and i just got my tahoe for x- mas. so far its been fun to drive on and off road. having no problems with over 100000 miles.

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  My Lumina Experience - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By It sucks yall - February 6 - 2:00 am

  I love it! It has the power to pass and the space to seat 6 all in a tidy little almost art deco package that looks much much better than the previous models.

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  Good, honest, basic, cheap 4WD jeep - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By MikeinMO - February 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Tracker because it was the only GM model available locally with a 5-spd (I had GM$). The Tracker is not refined, comfortable, not a very good freeway car. It is fun to drive, great on dirt and gravel roads, gets better gas mileage than any SUV (24 avg), has decent cargo space and is reliable (check cons. rep.). It is much more Jeep-like than the CRV or RAV, but with GM$ and rebates its about $5,000 cheaper. I chose the 5 speed 4cyl, which drives like a late 80s Japanese truck but feels rugged and is fun and economical. With 4WD, PW, PDL and cruise, I paid (after rebates) $14,500. Ive had it for a year now, and like it more than when I first bought it.