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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  Fun to drive, fun to own - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By bb - October 11 - 10:16 pm

  I usually drive a 93 T-bird to work, but after a while a cant wait to get the Monte out. Very good in all aspects of performance and very nice styling. It turns heads. I havent liked a vehicle I owned this much since my 88 T-bird. This LTZ is fun to drive and a pleasure to own. It seems like a lot of car for the money.

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  Endurator - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Val - October 11 - 2:42 pm

  I bought my Uplander minivan 11 years ago with 12K miles on it. It currently has 344,000 miles. The maintenance cost was ridiculously low over the years. Rebuilt transmission first time at 333,000 miles because of a bearing noise. When transmission was opened technicians at Aamco were amazed by the little wear many internal parts showed after such mileage. The engine, as mentioned, has now 344,000 miles and it has developed a noise on its top end in the last 500 miles. No smoke no nothing, pulls very strong and has good fuel mileage but just that noise on its head. May be it is time to put some money and get it ready for more. The car is worth very little, and I have other newer vehicles but I am curious to see what this little Chevy has to show. I have had very little issues over the years but it seemed to get more and more reliable over time. I do long distance travel, almost on a weekly basis (600 miles a shot), and feel very safe on it. Maintenance and a good initial quality are key.

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  Chevorlets flawed fuel sending unit - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By johny onenut - October 11 - 2:23 pm

  At 37000 miles, 1000 over warranty, the fuel gauge malfunctioned on mine, and every one elses I know who bought between 1999-2002. At 70,000 my brakes wore out. At 160,000 my ABS light has came on and will proably remain on. At 110,000 dash lights started to burn out. But overall, she has been a very reliable ride. Shes taken me from sea to shining sea many times, and I dread the day I have to turn her out to pasture. The 325 engine has run very, very well and shell still getting second gear rubber. What a great engine! 165,000 miles and still no oil burning.

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  My Cobalt - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By a. dicicco - October 11 - 3:30 am

  In general, I am happy with my Cobalt. Handling is good and the ride is decent. Would like to see a little more sound suppresion for road noise.

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  Best Truck ever - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jjc839 - October 10 - 11:36 pm

  Owned since new, has 175,000km. Not a single problem ever, only money spent has been on regular maintenance. Has the 4.8 V8 which as a ton of power for this small truck and gets about 12l/100km.

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  Crossover heaven on a budget - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By peter Harris - October 10 - 9:43 pm

  I am so happy I found the Chevy Equinox in my search. Great styling both inside and out! But I really love the XM satellite radio, The MP3 Player and the hands-free phone features. I get great gas mileage so far, and the machine is tight and high quality. Plus I am kind of psyched to have bought an American company product.

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  A Real Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By David C. - October 10 - 11:43 am

  This truck is all it can be. The comfort is better than expected. Reliability has been awesome.

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  Blazen - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Blazen - October 10 - 2:00 am

  paid about $8000 for this truck w/95k on it..runs excellent..however if you dont take care of it..as w/other cars (except honda) it will give u a hassel. like bending your crossmemeber..things like that. overall..its good, very pwrful, i love the insta trac 4x4..floor it off the line, in the rain, absolutely no skid at all! one set back..the wind shield wipers suck!

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  I LOVE this car - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By klamotte - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This is my first corvette after years of dreaming of owning one. I cant believe I waited this long. Acceleration is such a sweet thing.

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  nice truck for the value - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By biggunnzz1 - October 9 - 4:26 pm

  I have to say I am very impressed with how the truck drives and feels on the road. Ive owned a few 4x4s in my time and driving this truck even though its not a 4x4 it seems like it. For the power of a V6 to perform as this truck does is outstanding. Im about 500 miles into my first ever new vehicle and Im in awe. I did have one hiccup it rained hard one day drove through some puddles and check engine light came on. the next day it was gone. Gonna have to check it out next rain. Overall Im very satisfied with my purchase and would recommend to any new buyer.