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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  GM WONDERS WHY THERE SELLS ARE DOWN - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By deerslayer - December 21 - 4:14 pm

  I have owend gm for a very long time have 6 of them now but this car is just trouble traction control problems ,brakes ,wheel play,hubs replaced 2 times,the dash stays light up with problems all the time I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER CAR LIKE THIS FROM THEM AGAIN GOOD LUCK GM IM GONE

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  No Spare - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By Nanuke - December 21 - 2:37 pm

  I’ll just start by saying…I love my vehicle, and plan on having it till the day I die. It handles very well in the turns, but because of U.S. law, it has a governor to limit your top speed… bummer, but it will still get up and go. I have the 5.3 V8, and love the sound it makes when you romp on it. I also love the fact that it looks like nothing else on the road, and that people still stop and stare when I drive by…priceless.

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  Very compitent vehicle all around - 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV
  By nmikmik - December 21 - 12:09 pm

  I am driving this car for almost two moths now and only got a bit over 1000 miles on it because I do have another vehicle(s) to drive when I have to be concerned with range. I belong to one of the electric vehicle forums and pretty much everyone there, describes their relationship to this car in one word - Love! I have researched all electric cars available on the market at the moment and this one was a hands down winner for me. So far my expected range of miles to be driven keeps increasing, this morning it said that I have 103 miles to drive, so in my opinion the rating of 82 miles of range is very conservative, unless you a lead footed. My June power bill went up $38 v last years.

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  Not to pare - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By JaniceBB - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I hate my 2004 EXT. It has a real cheap feeling to the interior. I dont feel safe when driving in it. The doors feel like they are going to fall off they are so light.

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  Great Basic Transport - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Ol Reliable - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new in 5/99, and have had NO problems with it at all. The only items Ive had to replace after 65000 miles are the tires, and the pads on the front disc brakes. This car is not a performance vehicle, but rather a reliable, comfortable car for every day travel or long distance trips.

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  What a great truck! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By XTOAK - December 21 - 2:00 am

  What a great truck! Thi sthing is very comfortable for everyone in my family and has a ton of power. The 6.0L is a real monster that hauls and tows! The ride is fantastic as its a 2500 and not a 2500HD...I test drove both but found the HD version to have a harsher ride. Interior is excellent with no problems and have found nothing wrong with the truck so far.

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  cool car - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Rick Sutton - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I love this car!! It drives great, has plenty of power and is fun to drive.

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  Excellent Work Horse!!! - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By 6stringrevolver - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Overall, the best truck Ive ever owned or driven. It tows and hauls awesome. The ride is great! Seats 5 adults comfortable with the option of a 6th. Tough truck with a strong drive train!! I highly recommend it for anyone who is towing a trailer and needs to pack the family or a bunch of friends!! Very reliable and the electronic sensors make it so a dummy could maintain it!

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  great car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By brian luschen - December 21 - 2:00 am

  powerful and fun to drive

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  THE BEST - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By CHARLENE K. BEATON - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I REALLY LOVE MY NEW AVALANCHE..IT IS THE BEST TRUCK CHEVY MAKES ..BY FAR