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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  I tried to buy American - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By j.a. beede - June 25 - 3:31 pm

  I bought this truck with less than 60k miles 3 years ago. Now it has 74k. So far Ive replaced 2 O2 sensors, the alternator, the EGR valve, the exhaust system, the spider injector system, the ball jointsand 2 tires. The plastic interior rattles. The bottom of the doors are rusting due to poor drainage. It leaks from the front and rear differentials. It leaks from the power steering. I was hoping to get 100k miles out of it, but who knows what will go wrong next. I wish I would have bought a Japanese truck.

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  Chevys ABS brakes stink! - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Nicky - June 25 - 11:58 am

  My 99 Blazer LS has only 79k miles and my ABS brakes are completeley shot. Most of the time I cannot come to a stop. I need a new ABS system, new shocks & struts, new CB joint, and new Wheel bearings and the transmission is starting to slip. I hate this car! My Mom had a "94 with the exact same problems when it was only 2yrs old. I would never buy a Chevrolet again.

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  My z71 Tahoe - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Glenn Prescott - June 25 - 10:53 am

  Well, we are very excited about our Z71 Tahoe. We love to drive it, but are not excited about the gas mileage. Getting 11.9 MPG in town due to buying low rear axle ratio for heavy towing, but other than that, its a great vehicle

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  Slow poke - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Old Man - June 25 - 10:00 am

  I special ordered this car last spring after thinking about it for two years. I ordered all the options except for the T-tops and traction control. I got the Y87 Performance/Handling package. Everything is great about this car except the V6 engine. What a letdown. Two weeks ago I went back to the dealer and special ordered a Z/28 with almost all the same options. I ordered it with the 3.23 axle. I would not have bought another Camaro if it wasnt a great car.

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  Love my Equinox! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Nancy Soper - June 24 - 9:13 pm

  I traded in a 2004 Toyota Highlander and I just love my Equinox...I love the cute style of it and thus far have had no problems what so ever....The stereo buttons are a bit annoying but I just dont fool around with them....

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  New trucks should not see the shop - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By webdal molloy - June 24 - 8:33 pm

  The truck is a 2004 and has been in the shop 3 times for leaning, one time for burned out 2nd and 3rd clutch in transmission and the speed meter locking up. The outside trim is boring and the front right tire going square. The service dept. told me about the tire going square was from not rotating the tires, but I rotated my tires every 3-4 thousand miles and have the paperwork to prove it. This truck only has 20,000 miles and has all these problems. What happened to "like a rock"? This logo needs to be changed. I also talked to alot of Chevy owners who where having the same problem with the transmissions.

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  Excellent First New Car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Steven Horvat - June 24 - 8:10 pm

  I bought this car new inspite of what my parents have told me for 9,999 and added underbody spray, interior protectent at that time This car used to get 23-25 mpg but after my standered $200 dollars modifications to any car I get My mpg in city driveing went to 30mpg and 28 with the ac on! I have Royal Purple 5w20 engine oil, Royal purple trany oil. K&N stock air filter, Iridium spark plugs, and I pulled out the power robbing bong connected to the air box in the front left fender wall. Dynoed the car too. stock 153hp 156tq after mods: 173hp 180tq. Got a ram air hood too. 20k comming up soon great ride for my first new car.

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  I Love My 2005 TrailBlazer EXT - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Mari - June 24 - 6:03 am

  This is my first SUV, so perhaps Im biased. I just love my 2005 Trailblazer EXT. For me and my three children, it has more than enough room, rides smooth, little to no road noise, and lots of head room.

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  Attention Getter - 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Warren - June 24 - 12:04 am

  I didnt mean to buy it, but the test drive sold it. Im 50 now, and wanted a Corvette since I was a teenager. Ive never had a car that has received so much attention. Mechanics come out and talk about it. People in the waiting room talk about it. My good friend shook my hand to tell me its the best thing I ever bought. My wife and daughter want to drive it all the time. People at work talk about it. People on the road act like they want to race. Dont buy this car if you dislike attention.

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  Awesome Car!!! - 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Tiffany - June 23 - 6:59 pm

  This is my third Cavalier: Ive had an 87 Z-24 (BEST CAR EVER!), 88 wagon, and now a 91 RS Sedan. I have never had any major problems with any of them. These cars are reliable - never afraid to take them anywhere! The radios are awesome with kickin bass! The mileage has been superb and the comfort and styling of the Cavalier is the best!