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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  family fun - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Jeff Porter - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I have a family of four and we love the Tracker . The overdrive button and passing power button the fuel consumption is awsome for an suv .My family enjoys the music sound and the extra power ports for tv , computer ,games ,ect. Going from a Grand am we are very happy

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  impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By jeff badger - September 18 - 2:00 am

  it is a fun and exciting vehicle to drive. Well built and very reliable.

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  Superior to Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Joe Torres - September 18 - 2:00 am

  My experience with my trail has been great! Its fun to drive. Has a very smooth drive! Definitely Ford Explorer Sucks! TrailBlazer is the best!

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  Fun Ship - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jim dSmith - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I am on my third Tahoe. This vehicle is easily the best value on the market today. It goes anywhere does anything. I could spend twice the price for a Lexus but why?

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  My first American car in 29 years - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MulchHauler - September 18 - 1:53 am

  I saw this car in January at the auto show and decided to wait until it came out this summer. The only serious competition was the Toyota Venza, but the Equinox is better-looking and a better value. I waited 7 weeks for the one I ordered to arrive. Im pleased with it. I like the comfortable seats, quiet ride and of course the mpg. Its not a great handling car, but the steering and acceleration are what you would expect in a 4-cyl. crossover. The interior lights are very cool, but theres too much plastic for my taste. I dont understand why I couldnt get the upgraded Pioneer speakers with the 1LT model. The exterior color choices are extremely unimaginative; I went with Navy blue.

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  The Best Mid Size Truck On The Market - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
  By SM - September 18 - 12:39 am

  The LT model with the premium interior/exterior and safety packages give this truck the feel of an upscale SUV. Additionally, the gas mileage of the 2.5L engine and 6 speed automatic transmission is great ( routinely 27.5 to 30 mpg highway) for the size of this truck.

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  I miss my Chevy. - 2000 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Eugenegue - September 17 - 2:00 am

  The car was wonderful until the day I crashed it, and then its air bags probably saved my life. Everything I look for in a car is reliability. I bought the car at 40k and drove it to 60k and it was wonderful throughout. The car was also fun to drive with great pick-up and nice handling. It was a great car and I miss it.

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  The best SUV - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By skylandcruser - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I had lease on trailblaizer and just recently traded this car for Tahoe Ls 5.3 V8. What a difference. The handeling is so much better compare to trailblaizer. This is a bigger car but the gas millage is much better than trailblaizer. I dont understand it? It is roomy and so comfort ride. next after this i am going to give a subburn a trial, however because it is longer car i may just stick with tahoe. It is so much stronger car and greater for off road. My wife had 4runner, v8 and this car spend less gas than that car. Chev has a winner here.

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  Cant get enough! - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Tasha - September 15 - 10:43 pm

  I purchased my Colbalt right before the GM employee discount came out. At first I was bummed that I paid a higher price, but after owning and driving it for almost 3 months, I couldnt care less! It gets up and goes, hugs those tight curves and is easy on gas. The roomy interior is one of the pluses, but if you need backseat room, youre out. Being a two door car, the doors dont seem to swing really wide like others do. Ive had numerous comments on how it looks. I know the engine can go, my husband just got a ticket in it the other day, pushing 90 and he said it handled just as well as it does at 30. This car handles open, curvy, hilly and traffic clogged roads all equally well.

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  Love my Malibu - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Linda - September 15 - 10:43 pm

  I traded my 2004 Cadillac CTS for the Malibu LTZ. The Malibu LTZ is a better ride than the 2004 CTS. Everyone thought I was crazy to give up a Caddy for a Chevy, I made a good choice. I got a lot more for my dollars. It is fully loaded, fun to drive and a great price. It handles well and is very responsive. Gas mileage has been good. Great job Chevrolet!