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:

• 

  Great Transportation - 1992 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Roger_223 - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car from someone who serviced it regularly and took good care of it. I take good care of it and the car takes good care of me. A great value. Maintenance has been minimal and no major repairs or problems.

• 

  Nothing ROCS your body like an F-Body! - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 3rd Gen F-Body Lover - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I just got my 92 Camaro RS w/Z28 handling pkg Bright red w/Flame Red Interior, on the 2nd of January 2004 (what a way to start the new year huh?). Ive always wanted to own a Camaro. And was blessed with my car. I absolutely lover her shes awesome. The styling is fly, 20 bucks is a FILL UP using 93 Premium! Nothing like cruising with the t-tops off! Ive heard for years HOW reliable Camaros and T/As were...Ive NEVER had to add a drop of oil to the car and Ive had it for nearly 2 months! (I had the crankcase filled with Valvoline MaxLife the next week of ownership)

• 

  Awsome, Awsome, Awsome - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By AZ Carol - February 22 - 2:00 am

  This truck is fun to drive, has great power, and turns heads as you go down the road. Its not practical as a truck, but I dont think anyone who buys one is going to use it for hauling equipment. Its fun just like the corvette. The back has plenty of room for golf clubs and groceries. Its worth every penny. Chevy has a winner in the SSR.

• 

  Satisfied - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By Ron Myler - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive drove it over 5000 miles already & I really like it. Its comfortable & a lot of fun.

• 

  Best vehicle Ive ever owned. - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By ssrowner - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my T-Bird for the SSR. Not a truck, but more versatile than any other 2 seater. Great looks and performance. Its a blast! Take your time to shop around. Many dealers were asking 5K to 10K over MSRP. Just wait it out. Dont let try to sell you the "integrated side saddle storage". The top already locks.

• 

  cav review - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By wow!!!cav - February 22 - 2:00 am

  ITs is just awesome

• 

  Love this truck - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Paul Watters - February 22 - 2:00 am

  This truck does alot for your money. Quiet ride, and great information center. Bose radio and on star Lay the back seat and haul long things.

• 

  One Word - WOW - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By fatrat - February 21 - 2:00 am

  There is Only one word to describe the SSR.... WOW. it is so fun to drive and forget about all the looks that you get while driving it. everyone looks and points. Once the dealer let me take it for a test ride i was hooked. i called and said i was coming and he had it outside with the top down and he threw the keys at me and said let go. that was all it took. i love it. its like driving a corvette pick up truck. i.ve never had so much fun driving a car in a long time. down here in florida im sure the top will always be down.

• 

  what a hoot - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By rockhopper - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Im sick of professional reviewers knocking the Tracker. The ZR2 is a GREAT vehicle. With its good ground clearance, low-range transfer case, skid plates, and tight turning radius, the ZR2 is fully off-road capable. Its also nimble and zippy around town and on the highway. Body lean is very slight for its high ground clearance and high profile (love that head room and great visibility!), and the ride is taut and firm. Noise levels are fine. The V-6 offers plenty of power, and gas mileage is decent (aboout 22 mpg). The Tracker is built well and is very reliable.

• 

  MY chevy - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By kimoea - February 21 - 2:00 am

  My car is very fun to drive. I think it should have had a different spoiler desing.Other than that it is a great car. I put my own sound system in it and it "ROCKS"