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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  Manifold, what manifold? - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Adventure - February 22 - 12:29 pm

  Bought our Venture used from CarMax in 2000 with 26,000 miles. We have driven it 154,000 miles since, under nearly every condition, and its been a great van. We have pulled two different pop-up campers all over Maryland (beach to mountains) and although the 6 cylinders might have complained climbing the mountains, they never gave out. Our two kids have grown up in the van and we always have room for them, friends, travel junk and more. Our van is the default vehicle for road trips because of how well it holds people and stuff. Were not thrilled with the fit and finish of the interior and things have started to fall apart, but nothing unexpected for 180,000 miles.

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  2002 Chevy Tahoe LT - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By 2002tahoefl - February 21 - 7:44 pm

  lt version of this truck is the best only thing im missing is the sunroof. My kids and wife love the truck cause the third row seat. She aint got to drive no minivan around. Trips is so so comfeey. I put 24 inch wheels 305-35-r24 tires bolt right on. No cut no rub I can make a full u turn

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  Fun, Fun, Fun - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By bmall - February 21 - 5:42 pm

  Love it! What more is there to say. Actual gas mileage could be a bit better for this vehicle. Fun to drive, accelerates like a speed demon when needed (but this is a SS engine & body, (not a 2 cyl), attractive. Chevy, you did it again for the mature, cost concious driver. Thanks

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  Dont Buy a 2000 Chevy Malibu - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Augfirst - February 21 - 12:48 pm

  The 2000 Chevy Malibu is a poorly built car. It seems that I and many other people have had trouble with the Intake Manifold Gasket which needs to be replaced about every 50000 miles,I am already on my second gasket. The cost is around $600. Along with ABS, fan switch, and brakes this makes for a very expensive car to maintain.

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  Best car Ive owned yet - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Angela - February 21 - 10:00 am

  After 2 years of owning this car Ive only had one problem with it(catalytic converter) and GM fixed it free of charge. The ride is very smooth and power of the 3.8L V6 is wonderful. Its very spacious with lots of room in the trunk. Ive driven this car from Nebraska to Florida and to North Carolina and back with absolutely no problems. The gas mileage is good as well for a V6.

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  Excellent little truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By quiksilvor - February 20 - 10:29 pm

  This was definitely a step up from the Ford Ranger I had previously owned. It has plenty of accessible room for two passengers, and plenty of storage for a pickup truck.

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  fun car! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By clouds - February 20 - 7:53 pm

  We really like our Equinox. The sliding and recling rear seat is great as well as the adjustable tray in the cargo area. It handles nicely, the steering is particularly nice making driving on tight corners a breeze. We have had a great deal of compliments on the outside appearance which is nice. We have had a couple of different people tell us it resembles the Lexus suv.

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  Chevy Tahoe 2004 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Kough - February 20 - 7:43 pm

  Bought it from Carmax with 60 miles. Around 65 miles the speedometer went out, next the oil pressure sensor went out and I finally replaced the whole cluster...cost $400. Around 80 miles the flex fuel pump went out...the cost to replace was$1100. As I type this it is at the dealership because it has started leaking coolant and oil...the estimated cost is $1850.Im very disappointed in my Tahoe and as much as Ive enjoyed the features and roominess I will never buy another one.Im disappointed in Chevy too because Ive learned through all of these repairs that these are all very common in Tahoes. Its not fair that the consumer is left to pay when these are all common issues even in later models

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  Fun car "But" - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By jdbca - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Love the car but hate the service from the local dealers. The front rotors have warped twice in a year. Service department seems to think this is not a warrantee situation.

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  cool chevy - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By jstein99 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  i love my impala. cool, black, fully loaded. drives like a dream. lot of room. fuel-efficient. nice leather.