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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  Bought used - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Allen Gordon - February 26 - 6:47 pm

  Drives great 4 wheel drive goes anywhere I live in north east Pa..Hills everywhere and I have never been stuck once in the snow or mud and I was just rear ended by a lady on her phone doing 55-60 I need a new bumper and some other minor work, her car is totaled

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  7 year review - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Tim - February 26 - 5:13 pm

  Bought this truck new in 3-02. Its had power windows replaced and idles a little rough for about two minutes on mornings when the temp is below 35-- doesnt happen too often in Baton Rouge. It now has 100,000 miles on it and was given to my 16 year old son in 5-08. Im frankly surprised at how reliable its been. Mechanics have told me that 200,000 miles of service is attainable with no major engine or tranny work on Chevy and Ford pickups. Cant explain this, but mpg improved from 13.5 city when new to 16.5 today.

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  Just getting better with time - 1994 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Lowrider - February 26 - 4:20 pm

  I purposely looked for a 2 wheel drive Suburban and was fortunate enough to find this one. The previous owner kept it in immaculate condition and repair....I purchased it for $6000 and was very happy to purchase at that price. Ive used it to move my daughter, my mother, my nephews, and friends. Ive trailered Harleys to several events and this truck just kepts getting better with time. I currently have 142,000 miles on it. On the road towing at 65-75 I get 13-15 mpg, without towing 15-17 mpg. Around town 13mpg is about norm. Ive thought of purchasing a newer model, but everytime I take a ride, that thought quickly leaves. Once you own one, watch out, Very Habit forming!

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  Affordable, reliable, and fun! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Laura - February 26 - 1:10 pm

  I was looking into something sporty and reliable. The black Chevy Cobalt Coupe (not the sedan - wasnt fond of the four door) definitely had both! Cant beat the price: under $13k - brand new! Especially for what it has to offer. Ive had my car for about half a year and it still responds as it did the when I put in its first miles. Its not the SS of course, but you gotta love the pick up and handling. The gas mileage is average - I guess I was expecting a bit more (but not bad to be honest). This car is great for 2 people and if you want to put some people in the back, front seat gotta scoot up (depending on peoples size). Love the overall design, but mostly impressed with its price.

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  Buy warrantee - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Chevrolet Venture L - February 26 - 11:35 am

  With less than 45000 miles I have replaced 4 wheel bearings, the left front was replaced twice. Now my light is on telling me I probably have another bearing going out. Ive had a tie-rod replaced, and most of my driving is done on paved streets. The side doors never sound like they are shut tight. In my opinion they are under powered for the weight they are pulling.

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  Chevy Avalance - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By bobby - February 26 - 7:42 am

  Excellent. Back up visibilaity a little difficult. Rides better than any SUV I have rode in or owned and much, much more luggage room w/covered bed!

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  Very roomy-lots of rattles & problems - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By 99LT - February 25 - 8:08 pm

  This is a great SUV for long road trips. Very roomy and can hold lots of cargo. Other than that, it is not a good choice in my opinion. Plan on spending much time and money at the local mechanic. Also plan on having many rattles, squeaks and wind noise. Purchased a used Suburban rather than new to avoid having a car payment but quarterly repairs have made this vehicle almost as expensive as a new Suburban. I would recommend the new body style if you must purchase a Suburban. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone and do not plan on buying another Suburban in the future... which is too bad because I have been told the new models are much better.

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  ZR2 upkeep disappointing - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By turbo7106 - February 25 - 3:30 pm

  Bought this truck with only 9,000k when one yr old. To date have had following problems: 10k drivers wiper stopped moving,tighten nut. 12k ignition module replaced as truck would not start at times. Throttle body sticking, cleaned twice. Leaks in Oil cooler lines and Pwr Steering pump line. $1,000 repair for the leaks. Should have bought the extended warranty. Not happy with repairs I have had to do. Loved GM all my life, not sure if I will buy another GM product.

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  97 Cavalier - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Joe - February 25 - 9:41 am

  Just bought it as a work car. Only had 54,000 miles on it, so not a bad deal. To me the interior is very reminiscent of the 1980s and early 1990s Cavaliers. Most everything seems to be in a logical location. I like the fact that its cheap, easy to maintain and its decent on gas. Ive driven Cavaliers before, and never had any trouble with them! Although I had forgotten about the loud, droning exhaust note from those GM 4-bangers.

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  Great performance for a great value! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By cheese9988 - February 25 - 3:13 am

  I have not owned a GM in a while. I must say for the price and for a 4 cylinder car, the performance is great! Handling is sharp, has every feature in most dealer models, the heated leather seats are great. I compared this model to a new Civic and a new Focus, this had more options and is faster for about the same amount. Although I have not had it that long, the build quality seems very good. Another thing to point out, its made in America! My fiance also recently bought a Pontiac G6 and is also very good, I would say one of the best cars they have built in a long time. GM is making some good changes, thier new lineup is more reliable, appeals to the market and still costs less!