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:

• 

  Not a bad truck at 5 years old. - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Trenton - May 4 - 8:33 am

  Recently bought my 2005 ext-cab Z71 silverado 1500 a few months ago, used with 90,000 miles on it. Im the second owner. Good things: Engine is still very quiet and runs smooth for having 90K on it, great on gas, ride is smooth, 4wd still works, interior in great shape, no electrical or steering problems. Overall still a great truck inside and out. Bad things: Doors rattle a little when driving over rough bumps, transmission shifts hard into 3rd gear and makes a "smack" sound. A/C makes weird gurgle sounds after I turn it off.

• 

  ratings - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By braveheart - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I love driving it, but the insurance is high

• 

  98 Blazer a mixed bag - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By nitefaze - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Basically, the Blazer is a good car. For the most part reliable. One bad alternator took out the battery and self destructed at about 48K miles over warrantee in time, I ate $800 repair while away from home. At 68K the water pump went, in a heart beat engine over heated and froze before we could get the car off the highway. Melt down to the tune of $3400. When somethings goes, it goes suddenly without warning and it is very expensive. Repairs have been avg about $600 yr. For a US car that might be typical, but 6 1/2 years ownership I think its bad after the warrantee ran out. Economically not an experiece I want to repeat.

• 

  cavalier rocks - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By six flags - May 4 - 2:00 am

  No problems so far!!!

• 

  Get a C6 - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By C6 Owner - May 4 - 12:33 am

  I have been looking at buying my first sports car for several years and finally settled on the C6. It was a great decision. It performs as well as a Porsche at a significantly lower price. Chevrolet upgraded the interior and the exterior styling is superb. I get a tremendous number of compliments on the car and my friends whove driven it love it too. The technology is overwhelming at first when figuring out how to "personalize" the seat settings, keyless entry preferences, DVD navigation and satellite radio. There is an audio CD that comes with it that is very helpful and I recommend using it to get started.

• 

  Best car I ever owned. - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By chevylover333 - May 3 - 8:13 am

  Here is a list of all the things I have replaced on this car. Both front hub assemblies, right front brake caliper, fuel pump and lower intake manifold gaskets because the oil and coolant were mixing. Things that currently dont work are sun roof, air conditioning (due to leak in line going into the condensor) and brake lights only work when pulling back on turn signal while braking. I think that is a really good track record for a car that has 235k on it and counting! The transmission and engine are in excellent condition even though Im pretty sure the transmission fluid has only been changed once. Its the wifes car and I took over maintenance at 150k and I know it hasnt been changed since

• 

  Shocked with all the positive Reviews - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By edthebuilder - May 3 - 3:53 am

  1st, I have the 8.1L engine. Pulls great but mileage is disgusting. $80 in the tank and the range says 212 miles. Only have 70K on it (who can afford to drive it). Purchased as dealer demo w/ 7K on it, got home & oil was not even on the stick. Found out that you must add a quart of oil every two fill ups. Dealer told me "thats normal". Gages went out & was part of recall & class action suit but that expired & now its $550 for a rebuilt unit...thanks GM. Garage stored but undercarriage is all rusted! Brakes are awful. Lots of confidence w/ 10,000 lbs behind me on a wet road. This thing rides like a dump truck. This is my last GM EVER. Im out... My next truck will be a Toyota

• 

  My expierence - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By stevolo - May 3 - 2:00 am

  The LU3 seems stronger than my 98 LF6 4x4. This truck is absolutly perfectly designed and it demands respect.I purchaed it used knowing that it will be a while until GM makes a small truck that has that stop and stare effect. Brakes, drive train, power, and build quality is Q1. Frist owner drove it all highway 30K in 15 months. I found two problems after it was deliverd. Steering box upper seal weeps and muffler comming apart inside. Dealer fixed at no charge. Team Chevolet (GA) has very good and knowlegable service department.

• 

  A Wonderful Family Car! - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bribabe - May 3 - 2:00 am

  Im not sure why Edmunds rated this car as they did. Ours now has 120000 miles and has only had tires, oil changes and a battery. It is highly reliable, safe and comfortable. It could be quieter but that costs a lot more in other makes for no better a car.

• 

  An Underrated Mid-Size Sedan - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Andrew A. - May 3 - 2:00 am

  My wife wanted an Camry but when we priced up all the options that we wanted it was much more expensive than a comparably equipped Malibu LS. The Camry that fit into the price range of our Malibu had roll down windows and a 4-cylinder engine. I dont care how refined it is 133 horsepower is not enough to move a 3,000 pound sedan. The Malibu has a V-6 standard which is powerful enough to move this mid-size sedan. We have just over 120,000 miles on it and have only had to have normal routine maintence and the dealer service has been excellent and i will keep going back to Chevrolets.