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 starter car - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By ktcraig - August 20 - 2:22 pm

  I am 22 yrs old, bought this car in 2005 with 125,000k on it. The only problems I had was that the rear struts needed to be replaced, and it has quite a bad oil leak. Other than that, I only paid $1,200 for it and its a great car. Keep it washed and waxed for it will definitely rust. It now has 170,000k and still going strong. Will keep it until it dies.

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  Reliable small car - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Darwin - August 20 - 2:03 pm

  Bought this car new and now have 86000 km of mixed city and highway driving. Also have a trailer hitch and frequently pull a utility trailer and a small boat trailer with no problems. Automatic transmission is reliable and smooth. This is not a race car or very flashy but good reliable transportation. Had to replace the front wheel bearings - driver side last fall and passenger side this spring.

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  Too Many Problems, Too Soon - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By BigEl - August 20 - 9:00 am

  Lets see. I bought this car at 35K, 2 years later I have 66K. I have had to change the cat converter, the entire rear brake system and now at only 66K, I am being told that I have to have my transmission rebuilt. Its making this big noise as if Im driving a truck. And to top it off, the amp or the radio went so I have no music. also, my power window switch needs replacing. Shouldnt have these problems with a car that is 6 years old with me being the 3rd driver of this vehicle since manufactured and the 2nd guy only had it for a year. No more American cars for me. Too busy skimping on quality parts to make us spend more money instead of making a long-lasting, reliable vehicle.

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  Everything as promised - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By gcmprinter - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle. Almost bought a "new style" Expedition and am glad I didnt. I havent had a Suburban/Tahoe for over 6 years and GM really has improved.

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  03 Trailblazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By R. Spreter - August 20 - 2:00 am

  This SUV is very quiet and smooth, feels more like a luxury vehicle. I chose it over a Ford Explorer because the smooth ride was superior to the hard ride of the Explorer. The engine is very smooth and powerful. It is performing flawlessly so far.

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  Best GM Car in Years! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Halliecat - August 19 - 11:26 pm

  For the price I believe this is the best car on the market. The interior is luxurious, with leather and ultra-suede seats. Mine has the V6 with more power than I know what to do with. It handles like a dream and really hugs the road on turns. The optional remote start is a life-saver on these freezing mornings, as are the heated seats. Ive never been happier with a new car purchase. Welcome back GM!

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  A vast improvement! - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By B. Norton - August 19 - 6:58 pm

  I purchased this van after I traded in a 2001 Venture. I have owned 2 Ventures and was again looking for a GM product. I was going to buy an HHR, but my wife saw this Uplander on the dealerships used car lot, and she fell in love with it. I just returned from a 2000+ mile trip through Virginia and West Virginia, and was really surprised how much improved this van is compared to my two previous Venture vans. The ride and handling are just awesome! The 3.9 V- 6 has plenty of power, and the 4-wheel disc brakes are a enormous improvement over any Ventures brakes. Overall, a smash hit at my house!

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  Chevy Equinox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Joe - August 19 - 5:33 pm

  Stylish mid size with plenty of rear leg room. it has a smooth ride and handles well in the snow. No complaints yet. i have had it since March 05

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  2006 Equinox LT - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MarkAndSuzy - August 19 - 5:33 pm

  We just picked up our 2006 Equinox LT, Laser Blue, and are much MUCH happier with the 2006 LT model, than we were with the 2005 LS model, because the LS doesnt come with cruise, plus we had silver with black bumpers, now we have painted blue bumpers, and are going to get the sunroof too. The 06 LT drives a LOT smoother than the LS, with AWD, traction control etc, plus, is much quieter and steers more solidly than the LS, which tended to be finicky and jump around a lot. Plus the cheesy faux "alloy looking" hubcaps with the black rims showing underneath. We are very very happy with the new model. Happy enough to take the big hit on depreciation after having the 05 model just one month!

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  What an awesome Vette - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jersey Jeff - August 19 - 2:25 pm

  My 4th new Corvette, my first Z06, and by far my most powerful and fun Vette ever. This car looks incredible and has the performance to match the looks. Complete strangers tell me they love it, and even my wife saw it and said it was the best looking Vette she had ever seen. I bought it 48 hours later. It graces my garage parked next to my 02 vette (7,200 miles) which I am saving for my only daughter who was born in 2002. The license plates have her name and 02. At 5 years old she is already a Vette fanatic, she has good taste like her dad and mom.