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 Truck for the Budget!! - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Hooch - August 22 - 2:00 am

  I have really enjoyed this truck. Its made in the same factory and same everfything as the Nissan RAV4 only sold cheaper. Nissan engine will last FOREVER!

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  cavalier review - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By walterlosey - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Good overall car for the money. gas milage is excellent. the 14" tires that come on the base model are poor, they dont handle well and are noisy. id recomend spending the extra money to upgrade to the 15" or 16" wheels/tires. this car gets bad reviews for its build quality which in my opinion isnt bad. the interior materials are average at best. but its to be expected for a $10,000 car..

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  2003 Chevy Trailblazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mr. Swift - August 22 - 2:00 am

  I like my Chevy Trailblazer for many different reasons, like everything is user friendly,within the drivers reach,you dont have to stretch to reach anything. There is a lot of leg room in the front and the back. The hatchback part,I think is great do to the fact the back window raises for access, or you can pull a handle and the whole door raises,which allows for many different uses. The only bad thing I can say about it is the engine compartment,for most average shade tree machanics like me you can pop the hood and see were everything is, not on this one,I still havent found the spark plugs, everything else is easy to find.

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  SUV of the Year - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Lovin the NW - August 21 - 2:00 am

  We have owned 3 Suburbans and we love them. Our last one was totalled last week (a car pulled out in front of us while we were going 60+mph) The car handled beautiful. After a head on collision with another car we just wouldnt have any other vehicle. Besides we have 4 kids and need the space. We did have to put a transmission in our 2nd one HINT: Have them put a shift kit in.

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  SUV of the Year - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Elgast - August 21 - 2:00 am

  We have owned 3 Suburban and we love them. Our last one was totalled last week (a car pulled out in front of us while we were going 60+mph) The car handled beautiful. After a head on collision with another car we just wouldnt have any other vehicle. Besides we have 4 kids and need the space.

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  Got It and Enjoy It - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Col H - August 20 - 4:16 pm

  I am pleasantly suprised and bought the 2008 2LT model with reservations. However, I am delighted with this car and feel like I definitely got my moneys worth from a Chevy. I have not had a GM for years because of the competition and decided to jump in after a test drive. I highly recommend this car for the money.

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  Good Car for the Price!! - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By L. Gomez - August 20 - 2:00 am

  I had already owned a 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier which I used for work and travel. I NEVER had any problems with my 91, in fact it had 245,000+ miles when I purchased a 2004 LS Sport, which I like very much! Plus I got a great deal on it..from $19,395 to 13,300!! On a recent trip, 5 of us fix just right, and all our stuff fit in its big trunk. I hope this model lasts as long and the other. Once a Chevy owner-- always a Chevy owner!!

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  Best Car - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Robert Hayes - August 19 - 11:06 pm

  I love it. You can put a 2"x4"x8 in vehicle with no trouble. Boxes of tools. Best little car. Im 63"3/4 tall 260 lbs. So far 13,645 miles on it.

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  Great exterior, Crap interior.. - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Pewter Camaro - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Very fun to drive, finally i can race cars on the road and actually win :). Wish i could afford insurance on a Z or an SS.. but with a few mods on my 3800 Series 2,and some exterior mods, I think i can turn her into an SS. But first i have to basically replace everything on the drivers side door!!!!

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  advanced design - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By witzel - August 19 - 2:00 am

  A good combination of a wagon and a sedan with all of the creature comforts. The remote start and the lay down seats encouraged me to buy. I have the MAX in a green metallic. A most eye catching color that appealed to my wife.