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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  Nice vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Happythusfar - March 14 - 8:13 pm

  Not completely sold on the looks. Chevy keeps going back to the front ends which remind me of a futuristic robot head. Looked great on the 80s Cavaliers, but looks dated now. The over all ride is probably as smooth as a large car ride can get without sacrificing control/road grip. The gas mileage is incredible for a car this size. It manages the same mileage that my economy car gets, but in this case I have increased comfort, leather heated seats and many other luxuries. It uses standard grade fuel.

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  its cheap & reliable - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By milton - March 14 - 7:51 am

  This is my second ls lumina. my first one was a 95 big disappointment.When I found the second 99 ls lumina and seen all the improvements I was sold .You cant excpect much from a car that sales so cheaply ,but its worth every penny and then more.This car will do util I can afford a corvette. sign satisfied for now.

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  cavelier convertible tops in gas milage - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By fyarbrough - March 14 - 12:00 am

  My Chevrolet Cavelier is tops in gas milage and would be an excellent car for a young person or old. However, I think GM needs to improve on the sturdiness of the vehicle.

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  Great performance per dollar - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By DocWagon - March 13 - 11:39 pm

  The six speed manual makes this car a balst to drive, and for the money nothing out performs the Z28. This is my third Camaro, and the first 4th generation F-body. This model year handles better, accelerates faster, and still manages about 28mpg on interstate cruises. 4 wheel disc gives excellent predictable braking. Electronic traction control provides better driveability in poor weather than previous models, but still not a great car for inclement weather.

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  Bought Used with 15000 miles - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Slurpee98 - March 13 - 10:33 pm

  Ive had this vehicle for a couple of years with no drivetrain trouble. Mileage is ok and handling is great with a good pair of Perelli Scorpion tires. Interior design is pretty shabby though. Sun-Visor snap piece comes out of the ceiling every time I remove the visor. Glove box is held together with plastic fasteners and they both broke. Cup holder rubber grips melted with just a cup of coffee.

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  Great truck - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ckench - March 13 - 9:13 pm

  Bought 3 years ago used with 40,000 miles on it. Drove it for almost 5 years and only cost me brakes and rotors until today. New electronic gear shift box, wheel bearings and front differential. Almost $2,000 and 2 years after the extended warranty expired. Thats cheap considering I hauled an 8,000 pound camper through the mountains on a regular basis. Traded it for another Chevy but went up to a 2500 DH. Love those Silverados!

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  Homely hatchback - 1998 Chevrolet Metro
  By Jwist - March 12 - 7:00 pm

  Metro is a fun,very economical little car,one of the most reliable GM ever maketed.Excellent quality for the money!

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  2001 Coupe bad C.S. problems - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Randal - March 12 - 6:37 pm

  I bought this car new and have had massive oil burn problems..1 qt every 1000 miles, Chevrolet cust. service is the worst in the industry they DO NOT CARE... They would not fix and do not want to replace the car. It has had the clutch assm. and shifter replaced,vibrated badly

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  Great new SUV of 2002 - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By RMS - March 12 - 2:25 pm

  GM has listened to owners, and has come up with the answer to the Explorer. The TrailBlazer has a wider stance, firmer ride, and lots and lots of room over the Ex. Deserves a second and third look in your search for a good SUV.

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  love chevys - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By tygable - March 12 - 3:56 am

  The car was bought used @ 5 years old but 1 think it may be bad luck. Front brake rotors were shot needed replaced. Front windshield got cracked, then two weeks later a Toyota rear ended me. Although it totaled the Toyota all my car needed was a little buffing compound. Overall the car has been pretty reliable. Gets 31 mpg on highway, 22 city. Not bad for a v-6.