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 - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By wardsmall - August 14 - 2:00 am

  The 1st night I came in with the new Family/Business wheels the kids spent the 1st hour in silence with the wireless headphones on and watching a new DVD in the SUV.Within an hour we were on the road for a few days in the mountains. It is smooth and comfortable ride. We climbed the Montains in NC and the SUV did great in handeling and hauling us and an additional family of 4 - we all had space and loved the ride. I have owned the SUV almost a month now and still love all the new features I keep finding. Wish gas was less in cost - I have average 13.8 so far - It lacks screenan global mapping but I have a button that is just a push away for all my needs.

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  suburban rating - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By bobscott - August 14 - 2:00 am

  very happy with suburban as is.

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  New owner - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By Bl4z3n - August 14 - 1:10 am

  The incorporation of a CVT on a full size SUV really makes the difference here. Not only does this feature always keep the vehicle in the perfect RPM range, it is super smooth. I just wish the interior was a bit more modern. My reliability rating is a wash as I have only had the vehicle for a few weeks.

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  Best of all worlds - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By wazzy35 - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I was in the market for a new pickup and knew I would have to also buy a canopy to protect the lumber I buy and the furniture I make. I also wanted to be able to provide for more than two passengers. The Avalanche was the answer! It has fulfilled all my needs. My wife, a bit dubious at first, prefers to travel in this vehicle over her new Maxima and tells everyone she cannot believe the comfort driving/riding in the Avalanche.

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  I love my Black Eauniox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jessica - August 12 - 6:16 am

  I was totally against buying a new SUV, but my Dad told me to check out the car on the internet and then make a decison. Well I was really liked the style of the car, it actually look likes the Acura SUV I wanted but could not afford. Well we went over to the dealership I test drove the car and I like this car so much that 4 of my neighbors on my block bought one two

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  1993 2 Dr Euro - Bought New - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By hollisam - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Still have it after 10yrs so I must like it. Have aways liked looks and handling. Brakes are terrible. Gotta use parking brake always else cylinders seize (another $400 bucks twice over). Metal pipes in cooling system all rot and leak. $400 for the one at the intake manifold (broke off during repair). Spliced a hose onto the lower one coming out of the radiator. Really dumb engineering. Needed a new computer at 65K. Also trunk leaks and cant find source. Its red and still looks like new. Very comfortable to ride in. Prefer over my Honda Accord to drive.I must like it...I still have it! 17 and 25-30 mpg, not bad for 3.1 v6.

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  Best Sports Car Ever! - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Zoomie 81 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Driving the vette is exhileration bar none! Unless a person wants to spend a lot more money--there is no car on the planet that offers the comfort, technology, performance and value all in one awesome automobile! Whether wipping some wanna-be off the line or crusiing with your babe on a sunny day, the Vette has it all. A heads-up display, a Bose sound system, and gut wrentching performance all add up to the best car ever. Go ahead and spend double the money and still have less of a car. Go ahead and be stupid! No car even comes close for the dollar. See you in my rear view!

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  Nice Truck - 2016 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Larry Schmulling - August 11 - 5:45 am

  Its a little bit of a step to get in and out of. There was no CD player or even an option for one.

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  Best Vehicle Ive ever owned - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dave8697 - August 11 - 4:40 am

  This truck has been perfect in every way. Unfortunately my commute suddenly got 34 miles longer each way 3 years after getting it. I havent yet used it enough to have my first problem. I think I have only waxed it once. I expect it to last me 15 more years or 200k miles. I like the new ones styling better but they are always cutting corners as I noticed the chrome is reduced on the front bumpers and the mirrors.

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  LS Sport Coupe - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Funcritter - August 11 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive! Chevy had finally designed the Cavalier so that it looks great, is fun to drive and has ALL the features one could want in a car. The handling is fine, could have been a bit improved over moderate bumpy roads but otherwise, I have no complaints. Thanks Chevy!