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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  Never buying another Chevy! - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By DIsgruntled - August 6 - 4:07 pm

  I have had all of the same experiences as everyone has described here. Only difference is that in the past 2 years, we have put $10,000 worth of work into it. Word of warning to those of you who work on the car yourselves. Dont take the sun visors off because they are impossible to get back on without breaking them! We move a lot due to the fact that we are a military family, and our car has had to be fixed in 4 different states over the three year span that we have owned it! I am also not happy with what Chevy calls "routine maintenance" i.e.:EGR valves and fuel injectors.

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  Zo6 - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Richardzo6 - August 6 - 1:41 pm

  I purchased this car new and have never been disappointed for one minute. I have owned over two dozen Corvettes, some with very wild motors. This is the best daily driver I have ever had, any car. After 4 years I still get thumbs up, and that is in Southern California with modified cars and hot rods on every corner. I have 8 cars to choose from and the ZO6 is my first choice to drive.

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  5 1/2 yrs with a Chevy Blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By steve - August 6 - 12:42 pm

  This car has performed well and has been a solid purchase since late 1999. I recommend it for family car with 4 or less people.

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  Superior to others - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By chevykid - August 6 - 11:13 am

  Always wanted a black Chevy 4x4, finally got it. I love this truck. It rides great, pulls everything I ask it to, and has a ton of room. The Chevy engines are superior to the Ford and Dodge, and Toyota isnt even an option. Ive got 68,000 miles and have never put a dime into it, other than routine maintenance.

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  Loved it so much Im buying another one. - 1991 Chevrolet Astro
  By Bart Heer - August 6 - 2:27 am

  The van was very reliable, had pleanty of power for required task, and was very versatile (could carry 8 people or 3/4 ton of bagged concrete). The turning radius was fabulous for a van. Only drawback was that the paint degraded very quickly.

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  Great truck, great mileage - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By teflonjpr2 - August 6 - 12:01 am

  I purchased the truck after much research. Wanted the utility of a truck, something that could tow a 16ft boat, yet had acceptable mileage. I have had the truck for a month, and love it. I have put 4000 miles on it, and routinely get 25+ mpg (even with the 5 cyl). I have seen others complaining about the mileage, but dont know what differential they have, and recommend at least the 3.73, and I have the 3.42. The ride and acceleration are excellent, even compared to the car I was driving before. The steering is a bit soft in tight turns, but no worse than any other trucks I have owned. Overall, I couldnt find a better deal out there.

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  Good Purchase - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By jkp - August 5 - 7:32 pm

  Happy with the purchase. No major issues at 81,000 miles other than four- year-old OE battery dying at 60,000 miles (it was old,) and getting the steering shaft lubricated. Very enjoyable car, sporty enough for the money. Glad I bought it.

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  Sad but true - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Stacey - August 5 - 3:17 pm

  The Trailblazer lives up to all the issues and recalls stated. I still have a tempermental AC, the driver door hinges have broken their weld (in shop for 5 days now) Has anyone heard of this? (Chevy not concerned about this at all) the motor has a "click" sound, and I will never own another domestic car again. I have always been loyal to Chevy, but its time to part ways. Id sell, but gas prices are preventing that now!

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  A great SUV for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By lovemytahoe - August 5 - 5:19 am

  Wonderful car - we drive from LA to Scottsdale 4 times per year. The freeway ride is luxurious and comfortable. The DVD player is a must have for the kids. Third row seat is pretty handy, but wow, you get a lot of storage space when you remove them. I considered a Range Rover but am so glad I bought this - its not as luxurious, but the bang for the buck is much higher in the Tahoe. All this and it tackles rain and snow on ski trips flawlessly.

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  One of the best small cars - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Josh - August 4 - 7:54 pm

  I was surprised when I first drove this car. For a 1.8L 120hp this thing sure has some pep to it. It is fun to drive, economical and super reliable! The dealership said they repaired the drivers side door handle once and it just broke again, so the door handles are super cheap. The A/C is cold and cools the car fast. It handles well, and is highly recommeded to all! Too bad they stopped making it!