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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  Much improved over the last generation - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tb - July 10 - 2:00 am

  This is a definite improvement over the older generation Tahoe in areas of power, roominess and technology. It drives solidly (even off-road) and doesnt seem as mammoth as the Expedition. However, the transmission seems to be slipping occasionally and I still have yet to reach the EPA gas mileage estimates, averaging 12-14 MPG in 60% city/40% highway driving (EPA estimates indicate 14 City/17 Highway). Still, itÂ’s not as thirsty as the Expedition and what youÂ’d expect from a mid-sized V8 moving 5000+ lbs. around. The weatherstripping and interior trim has dislodged itself in a few select spots. Besides a few weaknesses, IÂ’m happy with my Tahoe.

• 

  Much improved over the last generation - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By TB - July 10 - 2:00 am

  This is a definite improvement over the older generation Tahoe in areas of power, roominess and technology. It drives solidly (even off-road) and doesnt seem as mammoth as the Expedition. However, the transmission seems to be slipping occasionally and I still have yet to reach the EPA gas mileage estimates, averaging 12-14 MPG in 60% city/40% highway driving (EPA estimates indicate 14 City/17 Highway). Still, itÂ’s not as thirsty as the Expedition and what youÂ’d expect from a mid-sized V8 moving 5000+ lbs. around. The weatherstripping and interior trim has dislodged itself in a few select spots. Besides a few weaknesses, IÂ’m happy with my Tahoe.

• 

  Great for BIG people - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By dtairtime - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Edmunds reviewers must be little people. They feel the Subaru, Ford and VW are better cars in this price range. They might be, but Im 63" and those cars are too small. I am happy with my purchase (I bought it in Jan. of 2000) and have not had any problems that the dealer didnt go out of their way to correct - all little things. The trunk is HUGE, the car can accommidate 5 full-size people and my only complaint is the use of way too much hard cheap plastic in the interior.

• 

  Great little SUV - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By joy - July 9 - 9:16 pm

  I love my new SUV. I test drove about 7 of the new SUVs that fell in the same size catagory. The selling point for me was the room in the back seat (made available because of the ability to move the seat back.) and I love the space in the center front that is low and almost hidden to put my purse when driving. There is loads of room inside with the backseat up and lots of additional room with both of the seats laid forward. The SUV has a very smooth ride and all of the dials on the dash are within easy reach. I would recomend the purchase of the vehicle to anyone who likes the thought of being raised up off the ground but still have the small size that makes parking a breeze.

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  Its a truck, thats about it - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By bharvey67 - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Bought this vehicle in May and it does everything that I ask it to do. It rides like a truck, and handles like a truck. The V6 engine is a low-tech, low-revving engine that has gobs of low- end torque. As far as quality goes, the interior plastic pieces arent put on very well, but other than that the truck is doing ok. I have no regrets in buying it.

• 

  solid vehicle - 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
  By m sudduth - July 9 - 2:00 am

  good solid ride for a high milage mix of off road and freeway driving, brakes have been soft since new,but it stops. excellent long ranger on trips for six adults and all luggage.

• 

  Great little car. - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Chad123 - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for 4 years now since it was brand new. I have had nothing happen with it and the only work that has been done is the scheduled maintenance. I have the automatic with AC and a CD player and everything performs great. I live in SD where the snow falls often and this car has done very well, especially the ABS and Traction Control. Performance is decent considering its a little 4 cyl engine.

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  The New Monte Carlo - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By TallPaul - July 8 - 2:30 pm

  Plenty of head and leg room even for 6 4" people. Comfortable interior. Handles well in snowy conditions. Great gas mileage. Smooth responsive excelleration. Handles good for a larger car. Fantastic retail price. Good standard options. A sports car for a tall man.

• 

  Good Family Wagon - 1990 Chevrolet Celebrity
  By Mom and Apple Pie - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Celebrity Wagon for approximately 10 years. It has been a very solid and reliable vehicle, until it hit the 150,000 mark and began to experience age-related troubles. One truly outstanding feature of this wagon has been its engine...it is very peppy and has pickup to spare, making it a lot more fun to drive than even some regular cars I have driven. It is a car that has served me well, and if I could go back in time, I wouldnt hesitate to buy it all over again. Maybe the car has a face/exterior only a mother could love, but...thanks Celebrity...I love you! :)

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  Its been a great car for all 7 years... - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By troy - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Z-24 in 1995 when the new design was first introduced. You might notice that the Honda Civic is both more cramped inside and does not provide an adequate arm-rest in the center console. Im not a short guy, so I highly appreciate the increased space on the inside, especially for all of the long distance cross-country travel I have done. Id buy another one, but Chevrolet has stopped offering Z-24 models as of this year. This 95 Z-24 in Hawaiian Orchid paint, factory five-star 16" wheels, and added tinted windows has been the perfect college student car, as well as daily commuter and distance travel vehcle for me.