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:

• 

  Z06 superior value - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jal777 - September 1 - 2:00 am

  I have "been around the block" a few times with a few vehicles over the years. All I can say is this.......Where has the Z06 been all my life?? More like, "where have I been?" This car has redefined what driving is all about for me. My initial interest was the 2005, but, when I saw this Black 04 Z06 sitting on the lot, I wasted not a moment more!! I promised myself that I would never purchase another black vehicle again, (I live in Vegas),but, this a/c cools the cab down in a matter of seconds. Anyway, this ones a keeper. I finally found the right one for me.

• 

  luv my chevy - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By bdl2 - September 1 - 2:00 am

  this is a 1st for me-i love my trailblazer but gm is making it difficult not to trade her in with the huge rebates.

• 

  Suburban - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Thurman - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Best in Class. This SUV does everyting I ask of it and more. If youre in the market for a full size SUV, this is the BIG DOG !!

• 

  My Lumina - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By susiebell - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I wish Chevy still made Luminas because I would buy another if possible! This has been a great vehicle and we intend to keep it until it just wont go no more but that could be when it has 400,000 miles on it! I would advise anyone if they can get a 1993/1994 Lumina, with low miles, to buy it and keep it. We have the original engine in it but did have our trans rebuilt this year. Ours has over 285,000 miles on it and we bought it 1 year old with 21,000 miles on it. The only repairs we have done to it is normal repairs such as water pumps, fuel pump, batteries, brakes & mufflers. Good cold weather start ups too. Change your oil!!

• 

  My Burb - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jerryditty - August 30 - 2:00 am

  It is the best towing truck I have ever had.

• 

  Daily sports driver - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By FN Lawyer - August 30 - 2:00 am

  After owning 2 Porsche Carreras in a row, it was with great reluctance that i viewed the Z06 as an alternative. Yet, the press kept heralding its performance prowess, and new found reliability. Went to a dealer for a test drive, my mistake. How could it actually better a Carrera? Well, after 2 years, it simply does. It still hangs tight, no chassis noises, brakes better, accelerates and outcorners better, and i still cant believe the gas mileage. No, it doesnt enjoy same interior design and quality, what a shame, wouldnt mind paying an extra 2k for them. Yet, its roomy and more comfortable than it seems. I dont think ill be going back to Porsche.

• 

  Suburban - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Dave Weinstein - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Really not bad fuel mileage for a large 4WD Sport Utility (~18 MPG Highway)

• 

  Vette Review - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By BlueAngel2004 - August 30 - 2:00 am

  This car is lots of fun to drive and gets many looks!

• 

  Love It! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Clint - August 29 - 9:33 pm

  I have only had my Equinox for a week now but i am absolutely in love with this car! We needed something bigger than our VW jetta since we are expecting our first child on the way. I have been looking at pretty much every cuv and always came back to the Equinox. I am 63 and it was hard to find a car that gave us MPG, room, options, comfort, and for an affordable price. Most cars you have to sacrifice one of those needs, this car none. This is by far the best for the money! I checked our mileage and we are getting 24.67 and that is quite a bit of city driving, thats only 3 mpg less than the jetta we were driving. Go out and drive one, you will love it!

• 

  awsome - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ali g - August 29 - 2:00 am

  buy american buy american buy america, this car is awsome and always be awsome. it has everything i need in a truck and it great. i pull buy ski boat to nothern michigan every year and we pass semi on 2 lane highways with ease at 90 mph. this car hasnt ever givin me problems and is great i buy chevy casue there trucks are the best!