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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  Great Reliable Vehicle - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By chevy4life - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck as used with only 36,000 miles and am still driving it with zero problems. The only maintenance Ive had to do is the usual oil change and air filter change. I definitely got my moneys worth.

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  Great Fun - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By freedrfreed - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I love the comfort and stlye and the power comes in real hande when you need it,towes very well.my truck has 220,000 miles with a new motor{rebuilt} and the only thing that broke was my rear end but after 220,000 miles I paid the $1,500 to repaire it and never looked back and tow a 4,500 pound boat with no promblem, but this truck is a gas sucker but it handles and does so much work for you I wont sell mine.

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  my z28 - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Beave2780 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my z28 four years ago after selling my 1988 iroc-z. The performance gains from the z28 and the iroc is unbelievable. Low 13 teens in 1/4 mile with mods (borla catback,K&n intake,3.73 gears). I love my car but now i want a SS.

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  2000 Lt Suburban 4x4 - 2000 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Tigerlileas - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I have had 5 different cars and this vehicle has been the best that I have ever had all around.

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  Uh Oh...... - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MyHorseRio23 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my new malibu at the end of March and was extremely pleased with it till a couple days later when the break light came on when I was driving on the highway.took it to the dealer and thought it was fine till a couple weeks ago when it happened again. Then a few days ago something weird happened to the steering,the wheel all of a sudden would pull slightly to the right, then wiggle back when driving at speeds under 25m/hour. Took it to the dealer.they didnt know what was wrong with the car since the system is new. They had to call GM and have an engineer walk them through the problem. Car was in shop for a couple days so they could fix it.please tel

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  bought an 04 LS now!! - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By dayton91 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  This car was great for the 52000 miles I put on it in a little under 3 years. Upgraded to an LS (at aboout 7K off the sticker). Unbleviable amount of car for 22K

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  One Great Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Tyger1 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Very smooth ride for a truck. The turning radius is surprisingly small for such a large truck. I havent found any structural defects, although there are some cheesy plastic parts used for the interior. Its not the most economical, but you should,know what to expect before you buy it. Chevy has a definite winner with this truck.

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  Avalanche Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Bob Bob - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Couldnt have ask for a better truck!!!

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  Graet Car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By chap240 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I finally broke down and traded my 93 for a 04 6spd z51, The car is awesome- smooth, powerful and responsive. The z51 is a pleasure- the car rides smoother then my 93(with standard susp) and is more responsive. Plenty of power and torque- the car loves to go. Im very happy. This car can run with the best of them.

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  Great Car - Want another one - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Wendy Gale - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Test drove several luxury cars and then the Impala. Fell in love with it immediately. The car has power to get up the road when needed, even just for showing off. I love how sporty it looks with the spoiler on the trunk. The leather interior is the only way to go. It was comfortable to drive on a long trip. The controls for the AC/Heat/Defrost are simple and easy to understand, not the new computerized type. The "official" color is Capucino Frost Metallic. It is definitely not white. If I ever decide to sell or trade this in or even buy another vehicle, I will get the Impala SS in Red, with tan leather interior. The price is excellent for all that you get.