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:

• 

  Reliable Cutie - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Bahadir - July 20 - 2:54 am

  I needed a car to get me from point A to point B. My Prizm has a nice design, and is pretty quick with a Japanese engine and drivetrain. I thank Chevy for the decision. Best idea ever--no problems. Only changing oil was enough.

• 

  Gives me what I have expected and more - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Burak - July 20 - 2:47 am

  This car is absolutely the best. Reliable, with enough quickness and a nice design (better than his sister Corolla). For a mid-size sedan, it gives what you expect. There are some small design details, but they dont matter. I think Corolla saw that market is going to Prizm, than decided not to give the engine and drivetrain to Chevy. And they stopped the line after 02. How sad.

• 

  things wrong - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By bummer - July 19 - 1:48 pm

  within the first month the heater motor went out, then would not heat, back in the shop again. then 2 months straight of taking it back in to have the tires balanced. first 4 months i owned this car, it was in the shop once a month. now it is back in again to have a marker light replaced when a clip broke (car not being hit or anything.) also to have the back seat fixed. it was put down and up, when it was put back down, it came out of alignment and would not latch on one side. new seat bracket having to be ordered.

• 

  Cant wait to get rid of it! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Martin - July 19 - 12:53 pm

  Everyone I know that owns one of these hates them. Mine is constantly in the shop being repaired for one thing or another. The very first time I brought it in for service I had a two page typed list of problems. The most annoying problem is the rear doors. They do not open from the outside (not the child locks). The Chevy dealer keeps "adjusting" them and they work for a few weeks, then back to not working. The performance is awful. Mileage is horrible. The list goes on and on. Maybe I just got a bad one???

• 

  Perfect for families - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Dk Blue Matallic - July 19 - 11:33 am

  I bought the Uplander because of all the interior room and because of how much it really doesnt look like a minivan typically looks. I love the sporty size and was really surprised at how comfortable the Uplander really is. I rate this van an overall 10 because its perfect for my family of 5.

• 

  The best car Ive ever had! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Lisa - July 19 - 2:16 am

  After always buying the Euro imports, I almost died when I bought this car! Our first Chevy! But I saw it in a lot and immediately was drawn to it. For the cost of what we paid and for what weve got, were very happy. Its a great family car.

• 

  why me!! - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By disgruntled - July 19 - 2:00 am

  brakes+ rotors that fail after 40000,turn signals that failed mysteriously but only worked at the dealership coolant that goes down continually but never leaks(head gasket gm?)alternator failed after 2 YEARS?!! (come on!!)rattles from who knows where or why and the ac(check the switch, its defective!!!)why such a vehicle is foisted on people who shell out hard earned money is beyond me...imports are looking better and better every day...a horse and buggy are more reliable

• 

  My 2003 Tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By greggars - July 19 - 2:00 am

  This is the most enjoyable and fun vehicle that I have ever owned. I thought my 1990 Suburban was a great truck, but the Tahoe is even better.

• 

  my lemon - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mr.lemon - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Engine failure requiring complete replacement at 2500 miles no 4 - wheel drive first time in snow total days in shop since purchase for repairs 28

• 

  I dont see whats so special here - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By MAG - July 19 - 1:17 am

  I have owned this vehicle for 14 days and I absolutely hate it. The horsepower is embarrassing, so forget merging into traffic. Exceptional loss of power while driving uphill and sloppy steering on the highway. I cannot accurately rate the vehicle reliability because I have not owned it long enough to be fair. On the up side, the interior is comfy and is loaded to the hilt with neat options. If this vehicle wasnt so slow and sloppy, Id give it an A. Definitely not worth the $35,000 price tag.