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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  LS FUN! - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By josh - August 30 - 9:03 pm

  So far I have had nothing go wrong with this car. This was and is my dream car, and every day I get in it I feel better than everyone else. I get the best mileage out of anyone else I know with a V8. I could get better if I drove it more conservatively, but thats not what I got this car for. The t-tops help with getting in and out, and the car just looks so good. Chevy couldnt top themselves on this one, so they stopped making them. If youre thinking about getting this car, stop thinking and go get it. Do yourself a favor and buy this car!

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  Great Car! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Melissa - August 30 - 4:26 pm

  I spent a lot of time researching cars before I bought this one. It is definitely the best one out there for the money. Of course you are not going to have the power of a BMW, but you didnt pay those prices. This is my first car and it is the best choice that I could have made. I love to drive it.

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  Overall - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By J-dUbS rIdE - August 30 - 7:21 am

  This is an amazing car for a V6. All I have added was a chamber 2 flowmasters & a k&n air filter and I have no problem with 0-60 in 6 and a quarter mile in 14 for being mainly stock. You cant get any car better for your money than this model. The handling is awsome throughout turns and is very smooth at high speeds. The exterior is very sharp. Overall a very good machine.

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  I Love My Avalanche - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By djhwi - August 29 - 3:24 pm

  After owning other 4WD vehicles, this one is the best ever! You forget that this is a truck and not a car, the ride is so smooth and all the gadgets makes this vehicle the best Ive ever owned.

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  Not bad for a girl car - 1999 Chevrolet Tracker
  By thejester157 - August 29 - 7:42 am

  I thought when I bought this car I was buying a girl car, but getting a good deal for the money I paid. I was plesantly surprised that this car is fantastic and really fits my needs. It is my familys second car and fits perfectly in that role. Not the best for familys or long road trips, But it can drive in town with the best of them. I have found that i get sufficent gas milage. Plus it fits neatly into small places.

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  Favorite "commuter" car - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By george - August 29 - 7:30 am

  I bought this card to provide an ecomonical, comfortable, ride for my long trips. I visit customers throughout upstate New York and take weekly trips of 2 to 5 hours. Ive had the car but a few days and it is living up to my expectations. It is economical to run and has a great ride! Comfortable on the highways, and a bit sporty on the back roads.

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  ss for ss - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By sonny - August 29 - 4:03 am

  I love my 03 SS I bought with 18k in 08 its all black with black leather interior. I have added K&N intake and am planning on an exhaust and ecu chip in the near future. For a front wheel drive car she a blast to drive. This car is my BABY!!

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  Zippy Car - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By morningsun - August 28 - 11:47 pm

  We bought this car after 2 years of searching for a car that wouldnt aggravate my bad back. This car was perfect. My husband is 62" and he loves the car too. Two or three days after we bought the car, however, we found water in the trunk. The dealer found that water was coming in through both taillights. Since they fixed it weve had no more leaks. I would highly recommend this car. It has good back support, good gas mileage, handles very well, and is fun to drive. The high ratings on this car are well deserved. It is an American version of the Toyota Corolla but cheaper in price. Took the head rests off the back seats for better visibility.

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  Excellent car - 1991 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Brenda Helman - August 28 - 9:59 pm

  I bought my car off a neighbor of mine who wanted to by a pickup and needed a little extra than what the dealer wanted to give for a trade in. I thought the car had a lot of miles on it. I knew the owner had taken very good care of the car. I have never had any trouble with it and it now has over 207000 miles on the original odometer. My Lumina was well worth the purchace.

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  My first SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tim - August 28 - 9:30 pm

  I am a sports car or "Euro-sedan" kind of guy. But, sooner or later youve got to pick up a bag of peat moss. I cant think of a better car to do it in than the Equinox. Few SUVs are exciting cars to drive, and this one is no exception. The ride is biased towards luxury - the long wheelbase really helps. The engine moves it along with little fuss and the 5-speed automatic always seems to find the right gear, making it feel stronger than it really is. The available luxury features, (sunroof, XM radio, etc.) make my commute a pleasant one. No squeaks, no rattles, no problems.