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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  2001 Suburban LS - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Red 01 - July 13 - 2:00 am

  I have one major complaint with this vehicle. Wind noise around the front passenger door and the windshield. I have had it into 2 different dealers 3 different times. Some adjustments have been made but the problem persists. I had been told that the problem was anything from the bug deflector to the antenna to this is "normal wind noise". If it is normal then why when I drove a GMC pickup as a loaner for one of my service visits the pickup was noticably quiter? After all, it has the same hood, fenders, doors, etc. as the Suburban. If the wind noise problem could be fixed I would be fairly happy with the vehicle.

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  My Z71 Suburban - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Schredder - July 13 - 2:00 am

  I really like my new Z71. The looks are super and everything is well thought out and the build quality seems excellent..........at least compared to the poorly built new TrailBlazer. Give us bigger engines !!

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  I traded a Saturn for this beast - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By kstyle - July 12 - 12:10 pm

  I have 700 miles on this truck and so far I love it. Great quality and gets the job done. Gas kinda stinks on it right now but it is a new engine and when it breaks in Im sure it will be better. I considered a Titan but the price was right on this one.

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  Great 4x4 truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By REDI - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Good solid riding and handling truck. Got 19 MPG average on an 80mph trip to Colorado from California and back. Traveled 160 miles of dirt roads across N. Nevada deserts with no problems.

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  First Sport Appearance Package - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By C AFranz - July 12 - 2:00 am

  We bought it with every option from dealers inventory. We much prefer th rear appearance with the Silver sport appearance package The steering wheel controls are nice, the hands free cell phone great and the seat controls very functional. I could use lower mounted cup holders in the doors and of course, more HP. The highway mileage is outstanding with one trip at 33 mpg using cruise control.

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  Spark EV - 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV
  By austina - July 11 - 11:53 pm

  Read the comparative C&D review of all electrics that rated Spark #1, then bought it 4 weeks ago, havent driven our other cars since, it is a blast, fast, great handling, amazing interior space given tiny outside (I am 6-3). 85 miles range at 65, tried fast freeway trip at 75 to 80, range drops to 65 or so. Why doesnt Chevrolet push this car, it is excellent value with fed rebate, a modern day VW bug.

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  chevy Impala - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By bayuvar - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Excellent performance but the subcarriage had to be replaced under warranty. Some problem with the steering [??} makes a noise but was told by dealer not to worry. Now Chevy has some retrofit kit and it has been installed still some noise though.

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  2002 Express LT Lots of room - 2002 Chevrolet Express
  By corvete001 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this van for 5 months now and had a few problems but nothing that I dont expect with a new van. This van is wonderful for short and long trips. The kids love the entertainment system to play games on and watch movies. Lots of room for 7 adults. Love the Bose sound system. This replaced my 99 Tahoe and I am very happy with my choice for the money. I have a very good serviceing Dealer who goes the extra mile for you and that helps with being happy with your purchase. Only down side is I would have waited if I had been informed there was a new modle coming out in 2003. Very nice ride and lots of power with the 350.

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  Rock Solid Car - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Jnorris - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Could be a little larger inside, but Im 63 and I still do fit OK. Very smooth, no rattles, no noise, very solid feel. Everything feels mechanically perfect. Everything does what its supposed to in the manner its supposed to do it. Its a shame Cheverolet will not continue to sell these.

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  Burns Oil - 2000 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mike_chevy - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle to drive. Burning 2-3 quarts of oil per 3000 miles concerns me, but Chevy says it is acceptable.