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 for the money - 1991 Chevrolet Beretta
  By blackcollar - August 5 - 2:00 am

  bought my 91 berretta in 93 never had any problems with it.The four cylinder, five speed manual transmission had more kick than you think. great car incredibly reliable.

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  2002 ZR2 - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Flynn - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Gas on Highway gets 19 miles / gallon. Street probaly about 16 miles. Had problem with 4wheel engaging at 22k. Dealership fixed same day. Comfortable truck. Tows good. Four wheel very convinent. Good truck for outdoors. More room and comfortable than the Dodge Dakotas, Ford Rangers, and Toyotas. Drove all and the ZR2 was the most comfortable and had most room. Compared to my old full size chevy I only lost 6 inches in bed length and 2 inches in width. This truck will fit into tighter places than most trucks. Your better off buying a ZR2 that is a year old. You will save a lot of money.They have been averaging around 18K. Overall, I am statisfied.

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  Great vehicle - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jsnell - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Dont buy this planning to tow enclosed car haulers - go for the 2500 series.

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  55,000 miles and still going strong. - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By JimNC - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I now have owned my 1998 Prizm since new and am very satified. It has never been to the dealer for a repair. Only gas, oil changes, and tires have been required. My only real compliant is the lack of legroom. Even with the seat all the way back I need another inch or so and Im only 511". The ride is quiet and smooth for this size car - handling is a not very crisp. Average 30-31 MPG with 4-sp automatic. Not very exciting, but excellent basic transportation.

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  nice car - 1996 Chevrolet Beretta
  By franky kiko - August 4 - 2:00 am

  its a nice car

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  implala safety - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By good36 - August 4 - 2:00 am

  Was in an accident yesterday. 60 miles an hour hit a mini van. We did hit the brakes and skidding about 60 feet. No injuries. Great safe car in my opinion!

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  Best $12,995 (new) I ever spent.. - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Marantha - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Has survived 2 accidents and 1 minor "rear-ending". I am amazed how strong the engine is on my beater. Thank God I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY--or I would be in serious debt over this vehicle. This car went through 3 batteries, 3 alternators, a power steering pump, 2 Oxygen sensors and numerous sets of brakes. It also goes through tires like crazy due to the shabby suspension, but thanks to GMPP I didnt spend a dime and got to test drive numerous higher end vehicles. The engine (V6) will long outlast the chassis. Its good for a beater, be rough with it and it loves you back. I will miss it.

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  EQUINOX 804 - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By clarenceG - August 2 - 10:00 am

  This Suv is a really good ride. Its not to small and not to big. I wanted a SUV that I could easily manipulate like I did with my previous car.

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  Monte Carlo 2004 - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Kristina - August 2 - 3:50 am

  This car is great and very reliable. Im a single mom though of 4 children. I really need to get a larger car. However I love my Monte Carlo! This car is very comfortable even with my children in the car. 4 doors would be nice though.

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  Cant beat it for the money - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Miss_X2b - August 1 - 2:03 am

  You cant beat this car for the money. Roomy, comfortable with a rather nice interior. The ride is smooth, car handles potholes very well. The car does tend to roll a bit in turns but I found that simply lowering my seat down reduces the effect.