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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  Hooked on Chevy, it works for me! - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Orrin - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I find the truck perfect for traveling up into the mountains of CO. It has pleanty of pick up and torque for going up the steap grades. The paint has stayed unusually shiny! The sound systems is great and does not distort. Its great off road and Ive never been stuck in the mud.

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  Solid, True Sport Utility - 1993 Chevrolet Blazer
  By J Fogle - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Bought this great SUV new, before the term was around. Solid, great manuverability, and stable on and off road. Currently has 131,000 miles. Have replaced typical wear-out parts along the way, nothing serious. Original powertrain and engine, they work perfect. Replaced A/C compressor and radiator in 2000. Ive driven this brute over steep, mountain roads with rocks and boulders, thru deep mud, and over snow/ice covered roads, and have never been disappointed. I will never sell this vehicle.

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  a great family vehicle - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By JLA - August 29 - 2:00 am

  A great family vehicle, not fun to drive-but comfortable.The suspension needs to be firmer.

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  My third Astro - 2000 Chevrolet Astro
  By JDeFoor - August 29 - 2:00 am

  As indicated by the title I am sold on the astro. I have found it to be the most versatile and dependable vehicle I have ever owned. I have had only minor problems with any of the three I have purchased. I still have my 1991 and have purchased a 2000.

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  Kicks butt - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By John J - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Just goes to prove GM will out perform any other V8 without a supercharger. For all those who think there are faster mustangs, youre right, but they have superchargers. Put a supercharger on a camaro, then try to keep up.

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  Some disappointments - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By bwalling - August 27 - 4:38 pm

  I have owned Chevy trucks for a long time so it was a a given that my next truck would be a Chevy. Truck was brand new off the lot (10 miles). Drove fine and got great gas mileage. Put about 4k miles on it and took it in for recall. Every since then the best gas mileage has been around 19 all highway miles. Plus I keep getting a check engine light code P3444 and then P0306. Been to dealer twice. It stays clear for awhile then comes back. Put 6k on it since last dealer visit and yesterday the light came on which eventually causes a cylinder 6 misfire. This messes up the trans shift which causes the truck to jerk and down shift very hard.

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  Busy Mom/Teacher vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Lisa Winstanley - August 27 - 3:26 am

  Fun to drive, great on gas and for a busy teacher on the go it is great. It has ample room for 3 teenagers to travel. I love the CD player and keyless entry features. I am averaging around 29 to 32 miles per gallon go to a from work.

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  28/08/02 - 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Z24Guy - August 27 - 2:00 am

  Incredibly fun to drive.

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  Good car for the money. - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By I Like Chevrolet - August 26 - 2:00 am

  My parents had a Corsica prior to my wife and I going out to get ours. I have been impressed with both. Theyre econmical to maintain, very dependable, durable transportation. You cant beat the "Bang for the Buck" on these cars.

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  2000 Chev Z24 review - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ORF - August 26 - 2:00 am

  My Z24 outperforms other compact coupes in many ways. It was thousands of dollars (Cdn) cheaper than Japanese rivals and the 150hp engine offers ample mid-range torque that most Japanese engines dont have. Shifting is crisp and smooth with the Getrag 5- speed. Ride is stiff but helps a lot keeping the car stable during cornering. Reliability is better than expected. The only problems I have encountered so far were the erratic fuel guage and battery leakage, which were fixed under warranty. Overall the car is very fun to drive and inexpensive to own.