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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  No problems - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Big B - October 13 - 3:41 am

  Ive had my Blazer now for about six years and I havent had a single problem. Its run perfectly, havent had to put it in a shop, not once. The v-6 puts out great power and it runs very smoothly. It gets almost twenty miles to the gallon in the city and about twenty five on the highway. I love my Blazer and wouldnt sell it for anything.

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  Still Awesome after 3+ Years - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Westsuburban - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Great car from day one. It has never been back to the dealer! Its a 2000 with 53,000 miles.

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  Great truck - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By oilmn - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Bought new, been in shop once for steering coupler at 40,000 miles. Currently have 142,000 miles. Again GM has put durability in trucks. Last truck was a1994 and put over 350,000 miles on it with minimal shop time. Ive driven Fords and Dodge but they dont hold up to the country road driving like GM.

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  best in the world - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By rwea1 - October 13 - 2:00 am

  chevy is all the way. Better than the lightning. Best v8 there is.

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  sexy car - 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
  By paul caloia - October 12 - 9:02 pm

  i guess my only complaint would be the first 1/2 sec of take off is slugish. almost feels like the brake is on. then it goes like hell

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  Dont buy Chevys - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By B.D. Dalton - October 12 - 3:19 pm

  We bought a new Venture van in July 2002. Immediately following the expiration of our 3 year warranty the air conditioning went and all of the brake components failed without warning and needed to be replaced. It looks shiny when its new, but if you want a vehicle that will last look elsewhere. This long time GM customer will never buy a GM vehicle again.

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  Stay away from this vehicle. - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By James Sosa - October 12 - 2:23 pm

  Overall this is the worst of many vehicles I have ever driven. Chevy attempted to combine a mini van with an SUV and came up with a vehicle that has the worts features of each. It lacks the 4wd and road commanding capabilities of any SUV, yet lacks the space and ease of entrance typical of other mini vans. Performance wise, this vehicle is a joke. Its acceleration is so poor as to almost be dangerous on many highways, and the V6 engine actually gets worse mpg than many Chevy V8 trucks. The suspension is soft, but there is too much travel. Every single bump is felt with a wave of motion, creating a very unsmooth ride. Compare this to anything else, such as a Mazda MPV, to see how it performs.

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  Last GM for me - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By never_again - October 12 - 12:01 pm

  Ive had this truck for a year, bought used from a dealer. It has had more repairs than my last 3 vehicles combined. They were also GM vehicles. The front shocks started leaking at 20,000 miles, the door switch for interior lights goes out of whack in cold temperatures so the lights wont turn off while driving. The emrgency break jammed because a connecting linkage under the dash fell apart. Both doors leak in the rain dripping water onto the door arm rests. The gas mileage is horendous for a 4 cylinder. The cruise control works when it feels like it. Oh, and if you park it on a hill with less than a quarter of a tank of gas-it wont start!

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  I like it - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Dennis - October 12 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a little better gas mileage than my 99 Taurus, and since I work for a Chevy dealer the Cobalt was my choice. I really like my SS so far(pretty low miles at this point). I was worried about visibility out the back, but it hasnt been a problem. Visibility is one of my biggest complaints about GM cars in general. I drove A LS for a week before getting my SS. I was suprised how different the two models are. The LT rides better and is far quieter on the road, so if this is important to you I would drive them both before buying. The Cobalt drives and feels like a bigger car. My gas mileage at 400 miles is 24.9. not too bad, but hoping it goes up a little. very nice car.

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  The best sports car ever! - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Dave Glusko - October 12 - 1:17 am

  Awesome machine that is one incredible ride. Seemingly unlimited torque, road handling that defies the laws of physics and a body that is stylish, sophisticated and sexy. Polished rims, telescoping steering wheel, HUD, Bose sound system, 12 CD changer, 29 MPG in 6th gear, 22 CF of trunk space for under 50k! I thought I died & went to heaven.