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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  Not too shaby for the price - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Kennyg - April 17 - 1:46 pm

  Plenty of pickup. A very nice looking car, gets good mileage and is a quiet, comfortable ride.

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  Bigmillage - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jim OReilly - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck in 1999 with 207,200 miles on it. Its a 1994 with the 4.3 V-6 Highoutput, ZM6 off road suspension. which performs great!!!!! everything is ALL orginal nothing has even been touched. And as of right now i drive over 500 miles a week in it and she will get an amazing 24 mpg on the highway even with over 289,000 miles on it!!!!! People need to get their act together and get off the Rangers and other compact pickups and come get a S- 10!

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  Awesome Car! - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Red Storm - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I love my Camaro RS, its so much fun to drive for a V6!

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  Excellent vehicle - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By G Scott - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding reliability, excellent performance, "interesting" interior design makes this a unique experience. I drive this car everywhere, in all conditions, and the car has performed extremely well. I have had no problems with this car. Change the oil, check the coolant, and youre pretty much set. The interior is this cars weakest link. Half of it can be taken apart simply by pulling on the plastic panels.

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  2 YEARS LATER - NO COMPLAINTS - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By G_WILSON - April 17 - 2:00 am

  NEARLY 22000 MILES - HAS SERVED US WELL OTHER THAT A POWER STEERING PUMP LEAK WHEN NEW THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ANY WARRANTY RELATED REPAIR/PROBLEM(S). CAR REALLY DOES GET 32-33 MILES TO GALLON ON THE ROAD . . . IM PLEASED. . . AND IT CAME AT A VERY REASONABLE PRICE TOO . . .

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  No Regrets - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By dan hipp - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This is the first of many vehicles (SUVs, Trucks & Sports cars) that than I am as happy with as the day I bought it. Its build quality, utilitarian and comfort characteristics are ideal for someone who needs carry the family on road- trips, haul lumber/"stuff" and 4-wheel drive in the back woods on occasion. If you can get used to the odd look (I did) you wont be disappointed.

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  The One To Buy! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By TrailBlazN N* Jersey - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The TrailBlazer is far superior than all other SUVs in the Midsize class!

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  One tough (& impressive-looking) truck! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By EBL - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This truck gives one a sense of "full control" -- as to its road handling abilities. It handles pot holes and bumps very effectively, resulting in a smooth ride. The 4.8 liter V8 provides more than enough power; in fact, I had to add sand bags for added weight in the bed to reduce spinning tires on takeoff. The engine is also ultra-quiet - even with the hood raised. The only concern so far: on occasion, under during certain low speed conditions, the drive train can be "jerky" on accelleration. Overall, the truck lives up to GMs reputation -- and, is truly built "Like a Rock."

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  2006 Chevy Cobalt - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By greenlaven - April 16 - 7:06 am

  Very affordable. Gas is great if you drive between 55-65. I usually drive behind big trucks to get my money worth (more mile per gallon). Comfort is great and quite inside. Havent driven the super sport, but they do look fun to drive. I almost purchase the Aveo until the dealer showed me the new Cobalt. Why not for a few bucks more? This car almost look like a Japanese car and there are lots of aftermarket parts that will make this car look real good. Overall I am very pleased with its looks and performance.

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  Amazing machine - 1991 Chevrolet Beretta
  By V_i_D - April 16 - 2:00 am

  This car has to be the best idea that Chevrolet has ever come up with. All around its a great car with more positives than negatives. Im sure that if I had bought this car brand new that it would have never broken... I got it used so I cant control how they treated it, but I treat my baby like I would a best friend. It treats me the same way and thats why I love it.