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:

• 

  malibusucks - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jlk - March 7 - 10:00 am

  This car amkes the noises and creaks that you would expect from a 10 year old vehicle. The brakes go quite often. Funny noises come from behind the dashboard and the heater and air conditioner lasted a total of 5 months on anything lower than three. It does not handle well on turns and the power steering goes quite easily. I would not suggest that you buy this car. The looks and name cover up the cheapness of this car.

• 

  Cavalier "The Best" - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By car man - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Great performance, very comfortable, lots of leg room

• 

  My 2005 Chevy Classic - 2005 Chevrolet Classic
  By Jon Black - March 7 - 6:54 am

  Overall, I really like the car. I view it as a value vehicle. Lots of nice stuff for under $20,000. Just the kind of car I like. I question some design and construction, though. 1. The hood blocks the outward movement of the wipers. Pulling them out to clean the lower windshield is difficult. 2. Transmission lever when in PARK, makes using the heater knobs difficult. Also heater knobs are under an overhang from the radio and some of the selections for the heater are difficult to see. 3. Carpet was cut too narrow in the drivers compartment and there is a gap between the edge of the compartment and the carpeting. A properly fitting piece of carpet should have been installed.

• 

  I expected more - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By Chris - March 6 - 10:57 pm

  This is my fourth Chevy. I have had two major repairs on this van, both on family trips out of state. Around 20K I had the transmission rebuilt. At 56K I had the alternator replaced twice. Imagine driving across SC and GA on a 90+ degree day with a failing alternator and no a/c. I have had countless problems with cruise control, power locks, windows, mirrors etc. This is with only 62k mileage. This will be my last Chevy until their relability is improved.

• 

  Its Awesome - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Dominic Schreiber - March 6 - 10:31 pm

  This is the only vehicle I have ever purchased new. It was a Christmas present for my wife after downsizing her from an Expedition to an Audi A4! The Suburban is HEAD AND SHOULDERS above the Expedition! I have had it over four years now with 79000 miles and NOT A PEEP out of it. Yeah it sucks gas....but look at what it is! I will never get rid of it unless I buy a new one!

• 

  Good Truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By batman563031 - March 6 - 9:53 pm

  This is the most powerful truck Ive ever owned! Chassis is also the stiffest as well. Much better than my 03 F150 which I got rid of after 7 months for the 01 Chev. Ive had problems with the A/C, got those fixed, also the annoying cold start knock, quiets down after warming up (recommend full-synthetic oil to quiet down). Tie rods and steering system needed fixing at 70,000 miles (very expensive without warranty).

• 

  A Great Ride - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Alan Slightom - March 6 - 4:27 pm

  Excellent truck, hauls Boy Scouts, church groups, band students and all their equipment. Trip out west pulling a 28 ft. trailer. Great towing capacity, extra large fuel tank (42 gal), just doesnt stop. Lease return, never worked hard. Have put 50K on it with no problems. 4WD is excellent, never stuck, snow, mud. Just keeps going.

• 

  Ticked at Chevrolet - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Ticked at Chevrolet - March 6 - 3:53 pm

  I have always preferred Chevrolet over Ford products. Mostly I am more satisfied with the workmanship and performance of the vehicles. The Uplander LS may change my mind. I was told on 3/6/06 that the rearend of the vehicle is designed so that if you do not rotate the tires every 6000 miles it will cause the inside edge of the tires to wear faster and feather (have high and low spots.) The owners manual recommends for the tires to be rotated every 8000 miles.

• 

  Powerhouse with style - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jason - March 6 - 1:12 pm

  Some say the interior looks dated, I say it looks fine. Now that it is about 5+ years old, no one can believe it has 60,000 miles, it looks new. I am a very maintenance concious though. I wax every 3 months, and wash every week. I definitely do routine oil change.

• 

  Cant Drive My Shelby Anymore - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Snake Charmer - March 6 - 12:26 pm

  Ive owned a Shelby GT500 for 30 years, but it finally got too valuable to drive. Enter the 1999 C5. Its a terrific, high smiles per dollar car. Faster than the old GT500, and nearly as quick, but with many more creature comforts. It wont replace the Shelby in my garage, but is a terrific daily- driver and is here to stay. I like the black on black, no frills approach. One of my friends said it looks more like a weapon than a luxo- cruiser. Im 65", and it fits well.